Employment Counsel

Summary

Join Human Interest's dynamic Legal team as Employment Counsel, a critical role advising the People team and business leaders on employment matters. You will design and implement employment policies, mitigate risks, and counsel on employee issues. This hands-on position requires strong employment law expertise, litigation acumen, and exceptional communication skills. Human Interest offers a competitive salary, robust benefits, and a collaborative startup culture dedicated to employee growth and solving the retirement savings crisis. The role involves leading investigations, managing disputes, and developing training programs. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams and contribute to broader legal initiatives.

Requirements

• Minimum of eight years of substantive employment law experience, ideally combining time at a top-tier law firm with in-house experience at a fast-paced, high-growth company
• Strong background in managing employment-related disputes, including mediations and arbitrations, with the ability to assess and minimize risk effectively
• J.D. from a top-tier law school with a strong academic record
• A practical, solutions-driven attorney who can translate complex legal concepts into actionable, business-friendly guidance
• A team player who thrives in a fast-moving, high-expectations environment, balancing strategic thinking with a roll-up-your-sleeves approach
• Flexible, curious, and open to expanding beyond employment law to contribute to other areas of the Legal team’s work
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a proven ability to influence and build trust across all levels of the organization

Responsibilities

• Act as the company’s subject matter expert on employment law, providing actionable guidance to the People team, executives, and business leaders
• Serve as the primary point of contact with outside counsel on employment-related matters
• Design, review, and implement employment policies and handbooks that align with legal requirements and company values
• Build scalable, innovative programs to support compliance and employee engagement as the company grows
• Identify and mitigate risks related to employment practices, proactively addressing potential challenges before they escalate
• Conduct risk assessments on employment issues and develop frameworks to ensure compliance across all jurisdictions where Human Interest operates
• Advise on wage and hour compliance, classification issues, employee benefits, and leave/accommodation matters (FMLA, ADA, etc.)
• Provide strategic advice on employee relations matters, such as performance management, disciplinary actions, and terminations
• Lead and support internal investigations related to employment matters, ensuring thorough and unbiased processes
• Manage employment disputes, including responding to administrative charges, overseeing mediations, and resolving pre-litigation conflicts efficiently
• Develop and deliver training programs for managers and employees on employment law topics, fostering awareness and proactive compliance
• Provide legal education and tools to empower the People team and other stakeholders
• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including HR, Finance, and Compliance, to align on employment-related initiatives and broader company goals
• Partner with senior leadership to support strategic business decisions from an employment law perspective
• Be open to contributing to broader legal and compliance initiatives, such as commercial agreements, corporate governance, or regulatory matters, as business needs evolve

Preferred Qualifications

Combining time at a top-tier law firm with in-house experience at a fast-paced, high-growth company

Benefits

• A great 401(k) plan: Our own! Our 401(k) includes a dollar-for-dollar employer match up to 4% of compensation (immediately vested) and $0 plan fees
• Top-of-the-line health plans, as well as dental and vision insurance
• Generous PTO and parental leave policies
• Addition Wealth - Unlimited access to digital tools, financial professionals, and a knowledge center to help you understand your equity and support your financial wellness
• Lyra - Enhanced Mental Health Support for Employees and dependents
• Carrot - Fertility healthcare and family forming benefits
• Candidly - Student loan resource to help you and your family plan, borrow, and repay student debt
• Monthly work-from-home stipend; quarterly lifestyle stipend
• Employee Resource Groups including Veterans, Lift Ev’ry Voice, Pride, LatinX, Families, and Women in Tech
• Fun online and regional events and celebrations and department and company offsites
• The vast majority of our positions can be 100% remote