What are the responsibilities and job description for the Employment Counsel, In-House position at JCW?
Fantastic opportunity to join one of the world's leading global law firms in an internal HR/Legal advisory capacity (this is not a fee earning position). This is a hybrid role, requiring 3 days in office per week.
This is a newly created role with the firm, responsible for providing comprehensive advice and support directly to the global partnership, with the ultimate aim of streamlining and enhancing the experience partners have in relation to their own HR matters. The role includes providing legal advice and guidance both to the firm and its partners on the firm’s constitutional documents and HR-related policies and procedures, with a specific emphasis on the firm’s operations in the US.
Responsibilities:
- Acting as a point of advice to global partners and HR teams on the firm’s constitutional and governance documents and partner HR-related matters.
- Drafting specific partner documents including offer letters, letters of admission, equity agreements, withdrawal agreements and releases.
- Managing the formalities (including documentation) of promotion to partnership and equity progression within all practice entities in liaison with local HR teams (with a specific emphasis on the US).
- Advising on partner relocations and secondments including terms and contractual issues and co-ordinating with relevant internal colleagues to ensure that transitioning partners are dealt with efficiently, sensitively and consistently.
- In conjunction with the Head of Legal, managing the process around withdrawals from the partnership, including the negotiation of specific clauses and agreements and the co-ordination of partner withdrawals with the other support teams in the US.
- Researching and monitoring relevant legal and regulatory developments as they apply to partners including the latest position on professional conduct rules as they apply to partners in the US.
- Dealing with ad hoc queries from partners, HR heads etc, including ability to determine appropriate course of action assisted by developed network of contacts.
Desired Skills and Experience:
- The ideal candidate will have significant legal experience in a law firm, in-house, or regulatory environment, preferably with exposure to partnership law, professional conduct rules, corporate governance, and HR law. International experience would also be a benefit.
- Proven ability to research and monitor on-going legal and regulatory developments as they apply to partners in the US.
- Excellent drafting and negotiation skills with excellent attention to detail.
- Strong commercial acumen, together with the ability and credibility to form effective ‘client’ relationships across all levels including the highest levels of management.
- Proven discretion and ability to deal with sensitive issues and to influence at all levels.
For more information, please contact paul.mcguinness@jcwresourcing.com.
