Global Legal Counsel - Litigation - Associate Director

At EY, we’re all in to shape your future with confidence. 

We’ll help you succeed in a globally connected powerhouse of diverse teams and take your career wherever you want it to go.  Join EY and help to build a better working world.

The Opportunity

We are looking for an experienced litigator to join our Global General Counsel’s Office (“GCO”) team. The successful candidate will help defend claims made against EY, including claims alleging professional malpractice, breach of contract claims, and securities class action litigation. This role actively manages and participates in the defense of litigation, mediations, arbitrations, and other civil proceedings. This role will also respond to subpoenas, inquiries, and investigations by regulators. This position serves a critical advisory and risk management function, addressing compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and firm policies governing all service lines compromising EY’s business. 

Your Key Responsibilities

• Handle all aspects of various litigation, enforcement matters and investigations, and internal investigations
• Advise and assist on matters involving cross-border issues or which could have a significant financial or reputational impact to EY
• Consult with partners and other stakeholders on potential or threatened litigation to avoid significant civil, criminal, or regulatory exposure
• Coordinate responses to regulatory subpoenas and preservation requests by determining the appropriate custodians, drafting the preservation notice, and ensuring compliance
• Advise on issues of professional responsibility and risk management, such as client acceptance and continuances, conflicts of interest, document retention, independence, professional standards and guidance, restatements, special investigations, and discovery of financial statement errors or potential client fraud
• Formulate defense strategies and other tactical decisions in potential or active litigation matters involving EY and consult on defense strategies with relevant stakeholders 
• Work with outside counsel and actively manage outside counsel spend to ensure resources are appropriately spent
• Conduct interviews of potential expert witnesses and current or former personnel in connection with litigation or other matters
• Participate in mediations and other settlement negotiations to resolve disputes in a cost-effective manner
• Participate in preparing key documents in litigation, including legal briefs, pleadings, and discovery requests
• Participate in preparing witnesses for testimony
• Develop and recommend EY policy and positions on legal issues

To Qualify for the Role You Must Have

• Significant level of autonomy in making difficult and often nuanced decisions involving litigation, criminal, and regulatory proceedings 
• Experience as an attorney with significant litigation, including trial and related experience.
• Exceptionally strong analytical abilities to synthesize facts and law to determine actions
• Understand laws, rules, and regulations applicable to EY and its industry.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to interface and communicate effectively and diplomatically with all levels of EY personnel, including firm leaders and managing partners
• Demonstrated ability to create, plan, and successfully execute projects; the ability to meet multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Exceptional interpersonal skills to manage outside counsel effectively
• A bachelor's degree from an accredited 4-year college; top of class preferred
• Law degree from a top law school; top of class preferred
• 6+ years of experience as a practicing attorney, preferably in a law firm or corporate legal department
• Requires active license as an attorney to practice law in the location where the resident EY office is located

Skills and Attributes for Success

• Strong team player with excellent negotiation and communication skills and cultural awareness.
• Proactive attitude and positive mindset, high degree of emotional intelligence, and demonstrated aptitude for resilience, flexibility, and ability to adapt to changing circumstances and dynamics.
• Interest and ability to positively team and collaborate effectively across geographic locations.
• Ability to grasp, understand, and effectively articulate and document complex legal and contractual principles.

This job posting relates to an existing vacancy within our organization.

What we offer you (Canada)   

We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. In addition, our Total Rewards package allows you to decide which benefits are right for you and which ones help you create a solid foundation for your future. Our Total Rewards package includes a discretionary bonus program, a comprehensive medical, prescription drug and dental coverage plan, a defined contribution pension plan, a great vacation policy plus firm paid days that allow you to enjoy longer long weekends throughout the year, statutory holidays and paid personal days (based on province of residence), and a range of exciting programs and benefits designed to support your physical, financial and social well-being. Plus, we offer:  

• Support and coaching from some of the most engaging colleagues in the industry  

• Learning opportunities to develop new skills and progress your career  

• The freedom and flexibility to handle your role in a way that’s right for you  

Are you ready to shape your future with confidence? Apply today.  

To help create the best experience during the recruitment process, please describe any accommodation you may need.  

Inclusiveness at EY  

Inclusiveness is at the heart of who we are and how we work. We’re committed to fostering an environment where differences are valued, policies and practices are equitable, and our people feel a sense of belonging. We embrace diversity and are committed to combating systemic racism, advancing gender equity and women in leadership, advocating for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, promoting our neuroinclusion and accessibility initiatives, and are dedicated to amplifying the voices of Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) nationally as we strive towards reconciliation. Our diverse experiences, abilities, backgrounds, and perspectives make our people unique and help guide us. Because when people feel free to be their authentic selves at work, they bring their best and are empowered to build a better working world.  

Learn about our commitment to Inclusiveness at

What we offer you
The compensation ranges below are provided in order to comply with United States pay transparency laws. Other geographies will follow their local salary guidelines, which may not be a direct conversion of published US salary ranges. At EY, we harness our collective strength to empower you to shape your future with confidence through professional growth, personal fulfillment and an inclusive culture. Learn more at ey.com/us/careers.

• We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to the business.  The base salary range for this job is: 
  • New York City, Boston, and Washington DC Metro Areas, Washington State, and Southern California offices – $252,900 to $455,100
  • Bay Area California offices – $263,400 to $474,100
  • All other offices locations in the US, including Sacramento – $210,700 to $417,200 
• Individual salaries within these ranges are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge, skills and geography.  In addition, our Total Rewards package includes medical and dental coverage, pension and 401(k) plans, and a wide range of paid time off options.
• Under our flexible vacation policy, you’ll decide how much vacation time you need based on your own personal circumstances. You’ll also be granted time off for designated EY Paid Holidays, Winter/Summer breaks, Personal/Family Care, and other leaves of absence when needed to support your physical, financial, and emotional well-being.

Are you ready to shape your future with confidence? Apply today.                                              

• To make the most of your application experience, please limit yourself to two applications within a six-month period.
• EY accepts applications for this position on an on-going basis.
• For those living in California, please click for additional information.
• At EY, our values set the foundation for how we work and the behaviors we expect of our people. Any misrepresentation or falsification of information or lack of integrity at any point in the recruiting process may result in withdrawal of your candidacy, revocation of an offer or immediate termination of employment.

EY  |  Building a better working world

EY is building a better working world by creating new value for clients, people, society and the planet, while building trust in capital markets.

Enabled by data, AI and advanced technology, EY teams help clients shape the future with confidence and develop answers for the most pressing issues of today and tomorrow.

EY teams work across a full spectrum of services in assurance, consulting, tax, strategy and transactions. Fueled by sector insights, a globally connected, multi-disciplinary network and diverse ecosystem partners, EY teams can provide services in more than 150 countries and territories.

All in to shape the future with confidence.

EY provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, genetic information, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other legally protected basis, including arrest and conviction records, in accordance with applicable law.  

EY is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities including veterans with disabilities. If you have a disability and either need assistance applying online or need to request an accommodation during any part of the application process,  please call 1-800-EY-HELP3, select Option 2 for candidate related inquiries, then select Option 1 for candidate queries and finally select Option 2 for candidates with an inquiry which will route you to EY’s Talent Shared Services Team (TSS) or email the TSS at View email address on careers.ey.com

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At EY, we use artificial intelligence (AI) tools as one element of our recruitment process to enhance efficiency and improve the candidate experience. While AI supports us in our process, human judgment and decision-making remain integral in our candidate experience. We are committed to the responsible use of AI, and our practices are continuously reviewed and refined to ensure they align with the highest ethical principles and regulatory requirements  

To all recruitment agencies: EY does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies. Any resumes submitted without a prior agreement or request from our hiring team will not be considered. EY is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.