Employment Counsel

The Employment Counsel will serve as the primary legal advisor on all employment and labor-related matters within Children's National. This position will be responsible for overseeing the legal aspects of employment matters, including but not limited to employee relations, terminations, separations, pre-litigation strategy, EEOC and other agency complaints, workers' compensation issues, labor disputes, and employment litigation.

As a key member of the Office of the General Counsel, the Employment Counsel will provide strategic advice and practical guidance to HR leadership, executive management, and clinical and administrative departments. The ideal candidate will bring a proactive, solutions-oriented approach to employment law in a highly regulated and dynamic healthcare environment.

Minimum Education
Juris Doctorate (J.D.) An accredited law school (Required)

Minimum Work Experience
3 years of relevant legal experience, with a strong focus on employment and labor related matters (Required)
7 years of relevant legal experience, with a strong focus on employment and labor related matters (Preferred)
5 years advising corporate clients (Preferred)

Required Skills/Knowledge
Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
Member in good standing of a State Bar; ability to obtain in-house counsel registration if required.
Minimum of 7 years of relevant legal experience, with a strong focus on employment and labor related matters; at least 5 years advising corporate clients.
Significant experience handling employment litigation and administrative agency matters.
In-depth knowledge of federal and state employment and labor laws and regulations.
Experience in the healthcare industry and familiarity with healthcare-specific employment issues strongly preferred.
Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and judgment skills.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to provide clear and practical legal advice to non-lawyers.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
Commitment to integrity, professionalism, and continuous improvement.
Experience with unionized environments and labor negotiations.
Familiarity with healthcare-specific regulations (e.g., HIPAA, credentialing issues, medical staff bylaws).
Experience managing external counsel and legal budgets.

Required Licenses and Certifications
Licensed to practice Law - Member of a state bar in good standing, preferable in DC, MD or VA (Required).

Functional Accountabilities

• Provide day-to-day legal counsel on a wide range of employment-related matters, including hiring, discipline, performance management, accommodations, leave issues, terminations, and separations.

• Manage and oversee employment litigation, including strategy development, case management, coordination with outside counsel, and reporting to leadership.

• Represent the healthcare system in administrative proceedings before the EEOC, state human rights agencies, and other regulatory bodies.

• Advise on and ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local employment and labor laws and regulations, including Title VII, ADA, FMLA, FLSA, NLRA, IRS and ERISA.

• Partner with Human Resources and organizational leaders on employee relations issues and workplace investigations, providing risk assessments and legal recommendations.

• In consultation with outside counsel, provide guidance on labor relations, including collective bargaining issues, grievances, and union-related matters.

• Oversee or advise on workers' compensation matters in coordination with internal and external stakeholders.

• Draft, review, and update employment-related policies, procedures, handbooks, and training materials

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to identify and mitigate risks and promote best practices in employment law compliance.

• Conduct or support internal training on employment law topics for HR, management, and staff.

• Stay abreast of emerging legal and regulatory developments and assess their impact on the healthcare system's operations.

• Provide guidance on all matters related to, and stay abreast of developments in, all relevant payroll and benefit regulations.

• Serve as co-chair benefit plan appeal process.

• The Employment Lawyer may be required to perform other job-related duties as assigned by the General Counsel or other senior leadership. These duties will be within the scope of the employee's professional capabilities and consistent with the overall responsibilities of the role. Such tasks may include, but are not limited to, assisting with cross-functional legal projects, contract review, advising on emerging legal issues affecting the organization, supporting internal investigations, or participating in compliance training initiatives. Flexibility and a proactive approach to evolving business and legal needs are essential.

Full-Time Salary Range: $129,355 - $215,612