Senior Corporate Counsel, Labor and Employment

Guild Mortgage Company, closing loans and opening doors since 1960. As a mortgage banking firm we are dedicated to serving the homeowner/buyer. Our goal is to provide affordable home financing for our customers, utilizing the best terms available while providing a level of professionalism and service unsurpassed in the lending industry.

Position Summary

The Senior Corporate Counsel, Labor and Employment serves as a trusted legal advisor to the Legal and Human Resources Department, providing practical, business-focused counsel on employment law, workforce management, regulatory compliance, workplace investigations, employment agreements, vendor contracts, risk management, and strategic initiatives. This role independently analyzes complex legal issues, exercises sound legal judgment and discretion, and advises leaders on legal risks and solutions across a broad range of labor and employment matters, including wage and hour compliance, leave and accommodations, workplace safety, harassment, discrimination, performance management, disciplinary actions, reductions in force, terminations, and employment-related claims. The attorney partners closely with Legal, HR, Compliance, and business teams to mitigate risk, support organizational objectives, and ensure compliance with applicable laws. The position is also responsible for drafting, reviewing, and negotiating employment-related agreements and HR vendor contracts, including employment contracts, executive agreements, offer letters, severance agreements, restrictive covenants, and independent contractor agreements. Working with a high degree of autonomy, the attorney manages routine and complex employment law matters while appropriately escalating novel, high-risk, or strategically significant issues to the General Counsel, delivering practical legal solutions that support business objectives while minimizing legal exposure.

Compensation

This role is an exempt position with a targeted salary range of $154,000 to $202,000 annually.

Compensation at Guild is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to local and federal minimum wage requirements, education, level of experience, and applicant’s geographical location.

Essential Functions

• Labor and Employment Law
  • Counsel stakeholders regarding federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations (including FLSA, ADA, FMLA, EEO, OSHA, Title VII, ADEA, PWFA) and industry best practices.
  • Provide guidance in compliance strategies to mitigate organizational risk.
  • Analyzes proposed and existing legislation. Reviews company policies.
• Employee Relations & Investigations
  • Provide legal guidance on employee relations matters, including disciplinary actions, performance management, terminations, reductions in force, and workplace conflicts.
  • Advise HR and management on discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and misconduct complaints.
  • Review workplace investigations and provide recommendations regarding findings, corrective actions, and legal exposure.
  • Support complex employee relations issues while balancing legal risk and business objectives.
  • Manage legal escalations and provide timely, practical solutions to support business objectives while appropriately managing legal risk and liability.
• Workforce Changes & Separations
  • Review separation agreements, release agreements, and severance programs.
  • Provide legal support for reorganizations, reductions in force, and workforce restructuring initiatives to include mergers and acquisitions.
  • Evaluate legal risks associated with employment decisions and recommend risk mitigation strategies.
• Compensation & Wage and Hour Compliance
  • Advise on employee classification, wage and hour compliance, overtime requirements, and pay practices.
  • Partner with HR and Compensation teams to assess legal risks related to compensation programs and employment practices.
• Leave & Accommodation Management
  • Provide legal guidance regarding ADA accommodations, interactive processes, and return-to-work matters.
  • Advise on FMLA, state leave programs, pregnancy accommodations, disability management, and other protected leave issues.
  • Review high-risk accommodation and leave decisions.
• Litigation & Agency Charge Management
  • Participates with the Legal Department and outside counsel in legal proceedings and prepares cases for defense. Participates in trial preparation, discovery, and negotiations.
  • Respond to and manage employment-related claims, agency charges, demand letters, and litigati