Employment Law Attorney

What You’ll Do Serves as Wallick's in-house employment law attorney, providing direct legal counsel on employment matters while overseeing all associate relations issues and investigations, EEO complaints, conflict resolution, and case documentation. This role is responsible for researching, developing, implementing, and advising on HR policies consistent with federal and state laws and organizational needs, and reduces Wallick's reliance on outside counsel for routine employment law matters. Functions and Responsibilities: Serves as primary in-house legal counsel on employment matters, personally responding to claims, charges, and attorney requests rather than routing them to outside counsel. Holds final approval authority on all associate relations investigation reports. Develops and maintains standard processes for investigations, case management, and corrective action. Maintains oversight and reporting accountability for HR Acuity (or the organization's case management platform) to ensure accurate case data and reporting. Owns company policy oversight: develops, maintains, and administers all company policies and leads the policy review committee. Responsible for the timely resolution of all EEOC/OCRC discrimination charges. Coordinates all employment-related litigation and the timely resolution of HR-related lawsuits and potential lawsuits, keeping stakeholders informed and engaging outside counsel as needed. Leads highly complex Associate Relations cases and investigations as an individual contributor, and partners with leaders to resolve highly complex employee relations matters. Acts as a mediator for associate relations concerns between associates and managers as appropriate. Supports proactive, positive associate relations practices that help maintain a direct working relationship between associates and leadership. Leads and develops a team of Associate Relations Specialists. Owns accountability for the legal budget, including outside counsel spend and other legal expenses. Explores and pilots AI use cases within employee relations to create efficiencies and improve the associate experience. Occasionally presents and speaks to internal and external audiences. Make a Difference - And Own Your Future Join Wallick Communities, a 100% employee-owned company with over 55 years of experience in providing affordable housing and assisted living for families and seniors across the Midwest. With 1,000+ associates and a mission to open doors to homes, opportunity, and hope, we take pride in fostering a supportive and collaborative work environment where every employee-owner plays a vital role. A Career with Wallick Means. . . Creating Homes for People Who Need It Most: Providing new beginnings for residents seeking affordable, safe, and high-quality housing where they can thrive. Pay-on-Demand: access your money as you earn it. Exceptional Benefit Package: Health, dental, vision insurance effective within 2 weeks of starting your new job, paid time off, gym membership reimbursement, paid parental leave, 401K with a company match, and more! Work-Life Balance: 4 weeks of paid time off, 9 company holidays, 8 weeks of paid parental leave. Learning & Support: A supportive team that cares about your continued development, well-being, and professional growth. Resident Stories That Stay with You: From Henry, who moved into his first-ever home, to Jaci, whose stay at a Wallick community allowed her to achieve homeownership and graduate college, kickstarting her dream career. Career Growth: Tuition reimbursement, training, professional development, and advancement opportunities within a company that invests in its people. Employee Owned, Resident Focused: As a 100% employee-owned company, your daily work (supporting our residents) also contributes to your financial future by sharing in our profitability. Qualifications Required: Requires a Juris Doctor (JD) degree and an active license to practice law in good standing, with willingness to pursue additional state bar admission or reciprocity as needed to support Wallick's multi-state operations. Requires a minimum of 3 years of legal experience, preferably in employment law, labor relations, or in-house associate/employee relations role. Three to five years preferred. 3 or more years of people leadership experience, preferably leading a team responsible for associate relations. 2 or more years of experience leveraging complex data in decision making. Must possess advanced knowledge of applicable labor and employment laws and regulations. Must be able to work independently. Should be familiar with some type of human resources information system (e.g. HR Acuity or similar case management platform), in addition to Microsoft Office software. Strong writing skills for legal documentation, investigation summaries, policies, and correspondence, with the ability to edit and review the work of direct reports and interpret legal documents. Make complex legal and business decisions requiring a significant amount of judgment. Decisions may affect the overall organization. Detail oriented and understand the need for confidentiality and attorney-client privilege. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with an approachable, collaborative style that builds trust with associates and leaders at every level. Licenses/Certifications/Registrations: Active license to practice law required. PHR/SPHR or SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP preferred. #J-18808-Ljbffr