Assistant General Counsel, Labor & Employment

Cushman & Wakefield · United States

Job Title Assistant General Counsel, Labor & Employment

Job Description Summary

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

• Advise on labor and employment matters across the U.S. and Canada, working within a matrixed structure alongside HR and regional and service line business attorneys.
• Operate as a connective link between Legal, HR, Risk, Compliance, Operations, and business units.
• Own the companys legal position on elevated-risk employment matters, including terminations and separations involving asserted discrimination or retaliation claims, employees represented by counsel, or threatened or active litigation.
• Serve as accountable legal owner for investigations into employment-related misconduct, including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, workplace violence, and wrongful termination, coordinating with Ethics & Compliance where a matter also implicates the Code of Conduct.
• Provide consulting support to HR on routine employee-relations matters without a misconduct component, including accommodation logistics, attendance, benefits administration, and non-misconduct workplace conflict.
• Provide compliance-focused legal advice on HR programs, including ERISA, NLRA/RLA, and securities law considerations.

• Partner with the People team to proactively manage employment risk through training initiatives, process improvements, and data analytics.

• Prepare executive-level litigation reports, KPIs, trend analyses, and risk assessments that inform senior leadership decision-making.
• Provide timely advice to the company and its leaders on all aspects of employment law, including hiring, performance management, compensation, benefits, accommodations, investigations, and terminations.
• Partner with the People team to proactively manage risk related to labor and employment matters (such proactive management could include training initiatives, process improvements, and/or data analytics).
• Monitor legal developments and emerging risks in employment law, advising business partners on practical implications and proactive measures.
• Prepare executive-level litigation reports, KPIs, trend analyses, and risk assessments to support senior leadership decision-making.
• Deliver clear, concise legal guidance on complex matters while balancing risk, operational impact, and business objectives.
• Partner cross-functionally with Legal, HR, Risk, Compliance, Operations, and business units on legal strategy and issue resolution.
• Manage multiple priorities and projects independently, while staying aligned with business objectives and evolving legal requirements.
• Support other legal initiatives and special projects as assigned

Qualifications

Education

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school required.
• Active membership in good standing with at least one U.S. state bar.

Experience

• 7+ years of relevant labor & employment law experience, preferably with a blend of law firm and inhouse corporate practice.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. employment laws (Title VII, FMLA, ADA, FLSA, etc.) and U.S. labor laws (NLRA/RLA).
• Expierence leading or co-leading investigations, arbirations, and administrative agency proceedings (e.g., NLRB, EEOC) is highly valued.
• Experience presenting to and counseling senior leaders, which includes the ability to deliver reasoned advice that is both commercially minded and appropriately protective of the Companys interests.
• Experience with matter management and e-billing systems to manage outside counsel.
• Experience operating within a formal decision-rights or RACI framework alongside HR/People teams, with the judgment to apply lead criteria consistently in ambiguous situations.

Skills & Competencies

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to condense complex legal issues for business audiences.
• Comfortable with using technology, including AI tools, to deliver high-quality work product in a time-efficient manner
• Learning agility
• Strong negotiation capabilities and sound business judgment.
• Highlevel analytical, problemsolving, and critical-thinking abilities.
• Resilient, composed, and decisive under pressure.
• Commitment to integrity, confidentiality, and professionalism.
• Ability to build trust, influence stakeholders, and collaborate in a matrixed environment.

Work Environment & Expectations

• Standard corporate office environment with hybrid collaboration.
• Ability to travel up to approximately 10% based on business needs.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position at Cushman & Wakefield, please call the ADA line at 1-888-365-5406 or email Accommodations@cushwake.com . Please refer to the job title and job location when you contact us.