Associate Counsel

Location: On Site - South Houston, Texas, United States About the Opportunity: A growing retailer is seeking an Associate Counsel to join its in-house legal team and provide practical, business-focused legal support across employment matters, litigation, and general commercial issues. The role will work closely with human resources, business leaders, internal stakeholders, and outside counsel in a fast-paced environment. The position offers broad exposure to employment law, workplace investigations, litigation, contracts, property-related matters, vendor relationships, and other business and legal matters. Responsibilities: Provide legal guidance on matters arising under federal, state, and local employment laws, including discrimination, leave, wage-and-hour, accommodation, and workplace conduct requirements. Assist with employment litigation, including investigations, pleadings, motions, discovery, depositions, hearings, trials, and appeals. Prepare responses to administrative charges and inquiries from government agencies. Conduct and support workplace investigations involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage-and-hour concerns, misconduct, and other employee complaints. Handle or assist with commercial disputes involving contracts, vendors, property, construction, business relationships, and other general commercial matters. Manage or assist with pre-litigation matters, demand letters, subpoenas, preservation notices, litigation holds, discovery, and document collection. Coordinate with outside counsel and internal stakeholders regarding litigation strategy, budgets, discovery, case status, and resolution. Draft, review, and negotiate settlement agreements, separation agreements, releases, confidentiality agreements, commercial agreements, and other legal documents. Advise human resources professionals, managers, and business leaders on employment-related decisions, including hiring, discipline, performance management, accommodations, leaves, compliance, investigations, and terminations. Conduct legal research and monitor changes in applicable laws and regulations. Maintain organized matter files, track deadlines, and communicate practical legal recommendations to business stakeholders. Must-Have Skills: Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school & in good standing with Texas State law. Two to five years of relevant employment law experience in-house or at a law firm. In-house commercial litigation experience. Strong knowledge of the ADA, FMLA, FLSA, Title VII, ADEA, and related federal, state, and local employment laws. Experience conducting workplace investigations, witness interviews, fact investigations, discovery, and document review. Experience with employment and commercial litigation, including legal research, drafting, depositions, and case management. Strong legal research, analytical, writing, negotiation, and oral communication skills. Ability to provide practical legal advice, manage multiple priorities, exercise sound judgment, and protect confidential information. Proficiency with Microsoft applications and legal research platforms such as Lexis or Westlaw. Nice-to-Have Skills: Experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial agreements. Experience with property, construction, vendor, or other operational business matters. Experience managing outside counsel, litigation budgets, discovery strategy, and dispute resolution. Familiarity with employment policies, procedures, agreements, forms, and training materials. #J-18808-Ljbffr Talently