Assistant General Counsel - Labor & Employment

Legal Counsel Opportunity At Smithfield Foods

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A great job-and a great future-awaits you at Smithfield Foods. We are an American food company with a leading position in packaged meats and fresh pork products. We are looking for motivated people who want to join our team and grow lasting and meaningful careers with us. Apply Now!

Your Opportunity

This position provides legal advice to the Company and generally assists the Law Department and individual business units with a wide range of labor and employment matters. The attorney reports to the Company's Associate General Counsel for Labor and Employment and works closely with other members of the Law Department and individual business units to achieve business objectives within acceptable risk profiles. The attorney performs duties consistent with legal and ethical requirements as well as Company values, standards, culture and business practices.

Core Responsibilities

• Stay abreast of labor and employment laws, regulations, and the legal implications of industry trends and help the Associate General Counsel for Labor and Employment and business teams develop "big picture" strategies.
• Advise human resources and other business units within the Company on all labor and employment matters, including wage and hour, workplace safety, discrimination, privacy, labor-management relations and immigration.
• Oversee dissemination of litigation holds for labor and employment litigation matters.
• Manage and coordinate the Company's responses to a wide variety of discovery requests, subpoenas, and third party requests for information.
• Conduct EEO and ethics hotline investigations and prepare related responses.
• Assist Chief Legal Officer and Associate General Counsel for Labor and Employment in responding to and/or lead in responding to government investigations.
• Engage in all aspects of the labor and employment litigation process, including assessing risk, developing strategy, partnering with outside counsel, reviewing pleadings, and ensuring compliance with e-discovery requirements.
• Manage outside labor and employment counsel budget, work, and costs.
• Assist in preparing witnesses for deposition and trial testimony.
• Prepare for and attend mediations and settlement conferences.
• Draft and review settlement agreements and confidentiality and protective orders.
• Assess and advise the Company on various dispute-resolution and litigation-avoidance matters in the labor and employment arena.
• Work with the human resources department, Associate General Counsel for Labor and Employment, and other managers to implement labor-management relations strategies for the Company as a whole as well as strategies that are tailored to particular Company locations.
• Assist Chief Legal Officer and Associate General Counsel for Labor and Employment in various administrative matters, such as planning, budgeting, and strategy for the Law Department.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. May perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited law school and 10+ years relevant experience required.
• Must be admitted to practice law in at least one state.
• Minimum 5+ years of substantive labor and employment experience with a corporate legal department or a well regarded law firm.
• Skilled lawyer with the ability to manage heavy workload in a highly dynamic environment.
• Ability to effectively and efficiently manage multiple matters and changing priorities and to complete projects, in a timely and accurate manner. Detail-oriented.
• Excellent communication (oral and written), organization, analytical and interpersonal skills. Ability to clearly communicate complex concepts to internal clients and external stakeholders.
• Sound judgment, ability to think critically, make and articulate well-reasoned recommendations.
• Ability to counsel internal clients on the risks associated with various options and to present creative solutions to difficult problems to achieve the desired business outcome while appropriately managing risk.
• Performance-driven with good business sense, a strong work ethic and a sense of urgency, honesty and fairness. Strong sense of ownership over matters.
• Collaborative nature and collegial attitude; calm under pressure.
• Self-confident and inspires confidence. Committed to be an engaged partner to internal clients.
• Willing to travel on an occasional basis.
• Ability to work well with others in fast paced, dynamic environment.

Relocation Package Available Yes

EEO Information

Smithfield is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, gender identity, protected veterans status, status as a disabled individual or any other protected group status or non-job characteristic as directed by law. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment selection process, please call us at 757-357-1595.