Employment Litigation Counsel

This is a hybrid role with the expectation to work 3 days a week in the Raleigh office located at 4300 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC 27609.

First Citizens seeks an exceptional attorney to join its Legal department as Employment Litigation Counsel to manage employment-related claims, agency charges, investigations, arbitrations and litigation.  The attorney will partner with Human Resources, Risk, and business stakeholders in the defense and resolution of employment disputes while supporting the Bank’s legal, regulatory, and business objectives.

This is a dynamic role requiring sound judgment, adaptability, collaboration, and the ability to manage complex matters in a fast-paced environment.  The ideal candidate is a pragmatic problem solver with significant litigation experience, strong written and oral advocacy skills, sound business judgment, and the ability to manage complex disputes while balancing legal risk and business objectives.  Experience in-house and ability to manage work independently are a plus.

This position reports to the Deputy General Counsel for Litigation, Investigations, and Subpoenas. 

• Independently manages employment-related claims, administrative charges, agency investigations, regulatory proceedings, arbitrations, and litigation matters.  Handles pre-litigation disputes, demand letters, administrative charges, and settlement negotiations efficiently and cost-effectively. May handle arbitrations and litigation matters (including court appearances) on behalf of the bank, if appropriate.  Represents the Bank's interests in matters before federal, state and local administrative agencies and coordinates responses to agency investigations and enforcement actions. 
• When necessary, selects, retains and manages outside counsel.  Supervises and controls outside counsel budgets, strategy and deliverables.  Ensures alignment of external counsel’s work with institutional objectives and cost management policies. 
• Partners closely with Human Resources, Risk, and relevant business stakeholders in connection with employment-related claims, agency charges, investigations, subpoenas, demand letters, and litigation to develop factual records, assess litigation exposure, preserve evidence, manage discovery obligations, formulate defense strategies, and support the effective resolution of disputes. Partners with other attorneys in the Legal Department to identify and address legal risks associated with employment disputes. 
• Provides legal support relating to fact-gathering efforts and internal investigations when connected to pending or threatened litigation, agency proceedings, or employment disputes.
• Prepares internal reports and briefs senior leadership on material litigation and trends.  Tracks closely and provides regular periodic reporting on arbitrations, litigation matters and pre-litigation disputes.  Works with corporate finance and audit functions to develop risk profiles for cases and set legal reserves where required.
• Serves as a subject matter resource regarding developments in employment litigation, arbitration, and regulatory enforcement. Monitors federal and state laws, regulations, agency guidance, and court decisions that may impact employment-related claims and litigation strategies. Communicates significant developments and emerging risks to Legal leadership, Human Resources, and other stakeholders as appropriate.

Juris Doctor (JD) Degree and 5+ years of post-JD employment litigation experience, preferably including management-side employment litigation. 

Additional Requirements:

• Demonstrated ability to manage complex employment litigation and agency proceedings.
• Experience evaluating litigation risk, exposure, and settlement options and communicating recommendations to senior management.
• Experience working effectively with Human Resources, Risk, and business stakeholders in support of employment claims and litigation.
• Strong judgment in assessing litigation risk and developing case strategy.
• Experience developing and managing litigation budgets and litigation-related reporting.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Advanced organization and time management skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Problem solving skills.
• Ability to manage outside counsel, litigation budgets, and case strategy.
• Negotiation skills.
• Ability to work independently but take direction as required.
• Proven history of managing projects, meeting deadlines, and producing and presenting excellent deliverables.
• Intermediate experience with MS Office, specifically the ability to conduct data analysis using Excel.

Preferred Qualifications:

• North Carolina law license preferred but not required.
• Experience handling management-side employment litigation, administrative agency proceedings, and employment-related investigations in a leading law firm or corporate legal department, or equivalent experience serving in legal functions within the United States military or government. 
• Strong academic credentials.
• Demonstrated commitment to excellence, ethical conduct, and service leadership.
• Experience supporting a financial services, banking, or other highly regulated organization.

Position Specific Skills:

• Ability to keep current on legal, legislative, and regulatory changes and developments
• In-depth understanding of how legal issues affect organizations
• Ability to anticipate legal issues or risks

Benefits are an integral part of total rewards and First Citizens Bank is committed to providing a competitive, thoughtfully designed and quality benefits program to meet the needs of our associates. More information can be found at https://jobs.firstcitizens.com/benefits.