The Opportunity:
We're seeking a motivated, conscientious Senior Counsel, Employment Law to join the Global Employment Law team of the Mattel Law Department. The position will support a wide range of business clients within Mattel while focusing on employment-related advice, claims defense and litigation. The position will be responsible for an extensive and varied employment practice and will be based at our Corporate Headquarters in El Segundo, California
What Your Impact Will Be:
You will be responsible for assisting the Employment Law team, People & Culture (including all levels of People & Culture Business Partners and Center of Excellence representatives), and other business functions with ensuring compliance with all applicable labor and employment laws and regulations. In this role, you will:
- Serve as a key legal advisor on labor and employment law, and personnel matters;
- Provide legal, strategic and business advice to the Law Department, People & Culture, and other business functions on day-to-day employment-related matters, including recruitment and hiring, compensation and benefits, employee discipline, performance management, terminations, restructurings, anti-discrimination, harassment prevention and non-retaliation, federal and state wage and hour compliance, leaves of absence, workplace accommodations, workplace safety, government audits, and internal investigations of potential violations of Company policy;
- Evaluate and communicate legal risks associated with complaints, grievances, charges, and other legal matters;
- Handle pre-litigation claims, settlement negotiations and mediations, and federal and state litigation, including management of outside counsel where support is needed;
- Defend and represent the Company in matters before federal and state agencies, including the California Civil Rights Department (CRD), EEOC, DLSE, DOL, NLRB, and others;
- Work to minimize legal exposure by proactively reviewing existing practices, forms, contracts, and policies regarding employment-related matters, while considering business objectives and practicalities;
- Draft policies, procedures, handbooks, and agreements (e.g., offer letters, confidentiality agreements, separation agreements, and settlement agreements), and prepare legal documents, memoranda and other forms of communication regarding transactional or legal advice;
- Develop training materials and provide training to People & Culture professionals and other employees on employment law issues and employment-related policies and practices; and
- Provide legal counsel to executives and senior/middle management on changes in the law and complex legal issues, which may have significant impacts on Company facilities and operations.