Labor & Employment Counsel – Chicago, IL

Our client, a global law firm recognized for its industry-focused strategy and innovative legal solutions, is seeking an experienced Labor & Employment Counsel to join their Chicago office. This role uniquely combines traditional employment litigation and counseling with data-driven workforce compliance, statistical analysis, and AI-driven hiring system reviews.

Key Responsibilities:

Employment Litigation & Counseling:

• Advise clients on employment law matters, including Title VII, ADA, FLSA, FMLA, DEI compliance (including for government contractors), wage & hour audits, and worker classification
• Support both employment litigation and counseling practices, handling administrative charges and providing litigation support for complex employment disputes
• Work closely with internal teams, HR professionals, and external stakeholders to provide proactive risk mitigation strategies

Data-Driven Workforce Compliance:

• Conduct adverse impact analysis related to workforce reductions, performance ratings, applicant flow, and hiring practices
• Advise on pay equity reviews and compliance audits, leveraging statistical methods to ensure fair compensation structures
• Analyze HRIS, payroll, and workforce management data to ensure accuracy and compliance
• Collaborate with data scientists, HR teams, and compliance professionals to assess AI-driven hiring systems and workforce management processes

Regulatory & Compliance Projects:

• Lead complex compliance projects involving legal risk assessments, workforce analytics, and regulatory audits
• Provide legal counsel on ethics & compliance programs, DEI initiatives, and employment-related regulatory guidance
• Develop data-driven methodologies to address client legal challenges, enhance equal opportunity initiatives, and mitigate risk

Statistical Analysis & Data Visualization:

• Conduct and oversee pay equity analysis using multi-linear regression models to assess disparities and ensure compliance with pay transparency laws
• Translate data-driven insights into actionable legal advice through effective storytelling and visualization
• Work alongside data analysts, HR teams, and consultants to refine workforce data for compliance reviews and pay equity assessments

Client & Stakeholder Engagement:

• Serve as a trusted advisor to clients, internal teams, and external stakeholders, demonstrating strong client service, responsiveness, and strategic insights

Qualifications & Skills:

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA-accredited law school
• Active Illinois Bar membership (or eligibility to waive in)
• 5+ years of experience in employment litigation and counseling, preferably in a law firm setting
• Expertise in workforce analytics, compliance auditing, and pay equity assessments
• Strong knowledge of Title VII, ADA, FLSA, FMLA, pay equity, and emerging employment transparency laws
• Hands-on experience with HR data sets, workforce compliance auditing, and regulatory risk assessments
• Familiarity with statistical tools and programming languages (e.g., R, Python (pandas/statsmodels), Stata, Datatab, Excel) for legal compliance reviews
• Ability to manage complex compliance projects independently and translate data insights into practical legal strategies
• Exceptional communication skills to present data-driven legal insights effectively

Preferred Experience:

Candidates should have at least one of the following:

• Educational background in data science, statistics, or economics
• Hands-on experience in pay equity analysis, workforce analytics, or employment regulatory data reviews
• Data analytics certification, such as:
  • IBM Data Analyst Professional Certificate (Coursera)
  • Google Data Analytics Certificate
  • Equivalent industry-recognized certifications
• Experience with data visualization tools, such as SQL, Tableau, or Power BI

Compensation & Benefits:

• Base Salary: $200,000 - $350,000 (based on experience, skillset, and firm performance)
• Bonus opportunities based on individual and firm performance
• Comprehensive benefits package, including:
  • Medical, dental, and vision plans
  • Pre-tax benefits (HSA, FSA, 401(k), and profit-sharing plans)
  • Fertility benefits and family-forming support
  • Paid parental leave (minimum 14 weeks)
  • Generous paid time off (starting at 20+ days, based on tenure)
  • 11 firm holidays per year

Why Join?

• Work at a globally recognized law firm with a strategic focus on innovation
• Be part of a cutting-edge workforce compliance team, integrating data science and legal expertise
• Collaborate with top-tier legal and HR professionals on high-impact employment law matters
• Enjoy a collegial, inclusive, and team-oriented work environment

This is an extraordinary opportunity for an employment law attorney with a strong analytical mindset to merge legal expertise with data-driven compliance strategies at a top global law firm.

To apply, please submit your resume, cover letter, and law school transcript.