Manager - Employment Attorney

Support Center - Irving

The Manager - Employment Attorney is responsible for providing proactive legal advice and counsel to the Company, ensuring compliance with labor/employment regulations, and resolving workplace disputes through negotiation, litigation, or alternative dispute resolution methods. Key responsibilities include advising and resolving issues such as wage and hour disputes, allegations of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, wrongful termination, accommodation issues, ADA matters, associate relations issues, Department of Labor audits, etc. Regular duties include drafting and reviewing litigation documents, including discovery, responding to, managing, and assisting with administrative claims and representing Michaels in mediations and administrative hearings. Additionally, this position will develop strategy in arbitration disputes, court hearings, and trials in partnership with outside counsel.

Major Activities

• Manage labor and employment litigation, arbitrations, and other legal investigations or proceedings. Represent the Company in pre-litigation resolution management; administrative hearings, settlement negotiations, and mediations, and administrative hearings; draft position statements, responses to Agency inquiries, and respond to discovery, certain employment-related contracts and handbooks; and handle a variety of claims, demands, regulatory and employee-related matters.
• Provide prompt and sound subject matter advice and counsel to business partners at all levels regarding labor and employment law matters, including the development and implementation of employee policies and training, accommodations, labor relations issues, compliance, and other human resources policies and practices.
• Monitor and respond to union organizing campaigns. Provide guidance on the employer's rights and responsibilities during these campaigns. Develop and execute strategies to minimize legal risks and protect the Company's interests.
• Perform legal research to include the monitoring of legislation, regulations, and case law regarding the implications of new or existing laws affecting the Company.
• Assist with other legal functions as requested by other senior attorneys in the Department.

• JD required

• Licensed to practice law and an active member in good standing of at least one state bar.

• Minimum of 8-10 years of experience in labor and employment law/litigation and counsel, either at a law firm or as in-house counsel.
• Comprehensive knowledge of labor and employment laws and experience counseling clients on a wide range of employment-related matters.
• Trial and/or arbitration experience.
• Strong strategic thinking, analytical, and legal writing skills.

• Exceptional legal research skills and analytical capabilities
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal skills
• Outstanding negotiation and persuasive skills and abilities
• Ability to work independently and prioritize a large quantity of tasks with sensitive deadlines in a constantly changing environment
• Ability to demonstrate sound judgment in ambiguous situations
• Ability to make timely and appropriate decisions within areas of responsibility under minimal oversight
• Ability to collaborate with and effectively utilize internal and external resources with minimal supervision

• JD degree from a top 50 law school

• Prior working experience within the retail or consumer industries
• A mix of law firm and in-house experience
• Strong strategic thinking and advocacy skills
• Excellent organizational skills