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Employment Law & Litigation Counsel

Employer
AARP
Location
Washington, DC
Closing date
Oct 14, 2021

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Job Details

Business Unit Description

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of nearly 38 million that helps people turn their goals and dreams into 'Real Possibilities' by changing the way America defines aging. With staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities and promote the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare security, financial security and personal fulfillment.

The Office of General Counsel strives to actively and effectively represent the Association and its affiliates' legal interests and to facilitate the efforts of staff and volunteers in fulfilling AARP's mission. We provides legal guidance to the AARP Board of Directors and its committees and staff, the AARP Foundation Board of Directors and staff, AARP Services Board of Directors and staff, and the trustees of the AARP Group Health Insurance Program.
Summary

Reporting to the SVP of Ethics, Compliance, Employment Law and Litigation, the Sr. Attorney, Employment Law and Litigation role provides a full array of legal counsel and advice on employment law issues for our 2400 employees across the country, including Title VII, ADA, FMLA, FLSA, employee relations, compensation, and worker classification, represent AARP and its affiliates in all litigation, including but not limited to employment litigation. Additionally, this role provides legal training to HR and management, while working closely with HR staff to provide advice and counsel on all aspects of the employer-employee relationship, including but not limited to performance management, adverse actions such as terminations and reductions-in-force, and administration of workplace accommodations.

Responsibilities

Employment:
  • Provides human resources advice, counsel, and strategic guidance to all levels of management, as well as HR staff.
  • Advises management and human resources staff on employee terminations, discipline, leave, evaluations, and department reorganizations. Prepares employment related contracts including but not limited to severance, confidentiality and non-compete agreements.
  • Prepares materials for and conducts employment law training seminars addressing multiple subject matter areas for all levels of management.
  • Provides direction and counseling on internal investigations to internal investigators in the Ethics & Compliance Office and Human Resources department.
  • Manages outside counsel in defense of employment related claims and legal actions, marshalling factual and legal arguments and preparing witnesses for the giving of testimony. Represents AARP in mediation and settlement conferences and administrative proceedings.
  • Reviews all AARP Foundation amicus briefs related to employment and employee benefits. Reviews employment/employee benefits third party litigation proposals to ensure consistency with AARP policy.
  • Reviews, interprets, and provides guidance on HR policies, forms, and templates.
  • Maintains an ongoing working knowledge of a broad array of laws and regulations applicable to the employment function including but not limited to Title VII, ADEA, OWBPA, ADA, FMLA, ERISA, FLSA, workers' compensation, and employee classification issues, as well as state and local employment laws and regulations.

Litigation:
  • Analyzes lawsuits brought by or against AARP and demand letters sent to AARP to determine best course of action, including national class action suits, breach of contract, personal injury. Makes recommendations on defense strategy.
  • Marshals resources for defense, both internally and externally. Selects and retains outside counsel in consultation with the general counsel. Manages outside counsel litigation billings.
  • Issues litigation holds, manages discovery, including e-discovery, and has expertise in use of AARP e-discovery software.
  • Negotiates with opposing counsel where appropriate.
  • Once outside counsel are engaged, works closely with and oversees them in representing AARP throughout the matter, reviewing pleadings, considering options for strategies and tactics as things develop, and making settlement recommendations where appropriate.
Requirements
  • J.D. degree plus a minimum of 6 years directly related specialized experience in the area of employment law, employment litigation, employee benefits, and/or human resources.
  • Must be, or be able to become, a member in good standing with the District of Columbia bar or equivalent state bar.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills. Comfortable public speaker with ability to make formal presentations to management and to provide engaging, clear, training for new managers and other staff who may have minimal legal background.
  • Good judgment, sensitivity to people and what motivates them, good negotiator and mediator.
  • Ability to function independently with limited guidance.
  • Must function with the highest degree of integrity and ethical standards. Passion for our nonprofit mission a definite positive.
  • Ability to handle multiple, high-level complex projects at one time and high volumes of work on an ongoing basis, with strong attention to detail.
  • Must be customer-oriented, approachable, responsive, and engaging.
Compensation and Benefits

AARP offers competitive benefits with a 401(k); 100% company-funded pension plan; health, dental, and vision plans; life insurance paid time off to include company and individual holidays, vacation, sick, caregiving, and parental leave; performance-based and peer-based recognition; tuition reimbursement; among others. Visit careers.aarp.org/benefits for more information.

As a result of the COVID pandemic, all interviews will be held virtually and all non-essential employees will continue to work remotely until further notice.
Equal Employment Opportunity

AARP is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. AARP does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, color, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

Company

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, social welfare organization with a membership of nearly 38 million. Our aim is to disrupt preconceived notions about aging, turn goals and dreams into Real Possibilities, strengthen communities and fight for the issues that matter most to people 50-plus and their families; such as health care, employment security and retirement planning.

Company info
Website
Location
601 E. St. NW
Washington
DC
20049
US

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