Senior Labor and Employment Counsel

Senior Labor and Employment Counsel serves as a trusted legal advisor to senior business leaders across a multi-state organization, with a focus on California based operations. Based in Central California, this position provides strategic legal counsel on a broad range of employment, labor, workplace compliance, and workforce management matters. Guided by the Chief Legal Officer, the role partners closely with operational leadership to proactively manage legal risk, support employee and labor relations strategies, conduct complex workplace investigations, oversee employment litigation, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws. Particular emphasis is placed on California employment law, while maintaining responsibility for advising on legal requirements across multiple jurisdictions. This position balances legal expertise with practical business guidance and plays a critical role in fostering a compliant, productive, and employee-focused workplace. Major Job Responsibilities Employment Law & Employee Relations Provide legal guidance on employee relations matters, including performance management, disciplinary actions, terminations, accommodations, leaves of absence, workplace harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wage and hour issues. Advise leaders on legally compliant and consistent employee management practices across multiple states. Counsel business leaders on workplace investigations involving allegations of misconduct, ethics concerns, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and policy violations. Evaluate legal risks associated with employment decisions and provide practical recommendations for resolution. Develop practical solutions that balance legal obligations with operational and employee experience considerations. California Employment Law Leadership Serve as the organization's subject matter expert on California employment laws and emerging workplace regulations. Provide guidance on California-specific wage and hour requirements, meal and rest periods, exempt and non-exempt classifications, pay transparency, accommodations, leaves of absence, personnel records, and privacy regulations. Advise on compliance with FEHA, CFRA, PDL, wage and hour laws, and other California employment requirements. Monitor legislative and regulatory developments and proactively advise stakeholders regarding business impacts and compliance strategies. Labor Relations Provide legal support and strategic guidance for labor relations activities involving represented employees. Advise operational and functional leadership regarding collective bargaining agreement interpretation, contract administration, grievances, and arbitration matters. Support collective bargaining negotiations and labor strategy development. Counsel leaders regarding union organizing activity, labor-management relations, and National Labor Relations Act compliance. Assist in responding to unfair labor practice charges, NLRB proceedings, and labor-related disputes. Assist in preparing responses to union organizing activities, unfair labor practice charges, and labor board proceedings. Litigation & Risk Management Oversee California based employment-related litigation, agency charges, audits, and administrative proceedings. Partner with Human Resources in responding to EEOC, DOL, NLRB, state labor agency, and other regulatory inquiries. Conduct legal risk assessments and recommend risk mitigation strategies. Support internal investigations involving employment, labor, ethics, compliance, and workplace conduct matters. Direct document preservation, witness preparation, settlement evaluations, and case management activities. Compliance & Training Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment and labor laws across all California locations. Identify emerging legal risks and advise on implementing proactive compliance solutions. Strategic Partnership Act as a trusted advisor to Human Resources and Operations. Provide legal guidance during mergers, acquisitions, reorganizations, workforce restructures, and strategic business initiatives. Partner with leadership to develop workforce strategies that align business objectives with legal and regulatory requirements. Influence organizational decision-making through practical, business-oriented legal counsel. EEO/AA Statement PureStar provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. Qualifications And Minimum Requirements Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school. Active membership in good standing with the California State Bar. Minimum of 8 years of experience practicing California employment and labor law, including significant in-house or management-side counseling experience. Demonstrated expertise advising employers on employment law and employee relations matters. Strong experience conducting and advising on complex workplace investigations. Experience directly handling employment litigation, with trial and arbitration experience, as well as managing administrative agency proceedings. Required: hands‑on employment litigation experience, such as depositions, motion practice, and managing cases through resolution. Strongly preferred: trial or arbitration experience, including first‑or second‑chair roles. Knowledge of federal employment laws, including: Title VII ADA FMLA FLSA NLRA OSHA PWFA USERRA Significant experience supporting labor relations issues, collective bargaining matters, and grievance administration. Computer / Technical Skills / Job Specific Skills Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Suite Advanced knowledge of Excel is a plus (vlookup, pivot tables, data validation, conditional formatting) Excellent communication skills (phone, written, email) for varied internal and external audiences Flexible time management with shifting priorities and multitasking Work Hours Typically a Monday – Friday work schedule; however, may include working on the weekends or during Holidays for project completion. Hybrid model of (3) days in office, and (2) days WFH. This job description should not be interpreted as all‑inclusive; it is intended to identify major responsibilities and requirements of the job. The employee in this position may be requested to perform other job‑related tasks and responsibilities than those stated above. Physical/Mental Requirements Assigned duties are accomplished primarily in an office setting. Must be able to maneuver around an office setting, work at a desk/workstation and respond to written and oral cues. Must have the manual dexterity to operate a computer and other necessary office equipment. Must be able to sit for extended periods of time. May be required to bend, reach and lift to 25 lbs. Safety Participate fully in company health and safety programs and comply with all company OSHA policies and procedures. Follow all lawful employer safety and health rules. Wear and/or use Personal Protective Equipment, when and how instructed. Report hazardous conditions to management. Report any job‑related injury or illness to management and seek treatment promptly. Other duties as requested. Work Conditions Office environment/desk job: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. PureStar reserves the right to make changes to this job description whenever necessary. #J-18808-Ljbffr ACC San Diego - Association of Corporate Counsel