Senior Counsel - Labor & Employment Law

Senior Counsel 

This Senior Counsel position will be responsible for effectively and efficiently providing legal counsel and support to the subsidiaries of the Southern Company, with a specific emphasis on a full range of labor and employment law matters.  This position will report to an Associate General Counsel in the Southern Company Services legal department. 

JOB SUMMARY: 

• Location: This position will be located in Atlanta, Georgia or Birmingham, Alabama.
• Responsibilities:
  • Support multiple business units and responsible management on both strategic and tactical labor and employment issues
  • Regularly collaborate with various internal support teams (e.g., HR, Labor Relations, Health & Medical Services, Employee Concerns)
  • Direct and assist outside counsel 
  • Other duties as assigned by the Associate General Counsel

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• J.D. degree from an accredited law school with strong academic credentials
• Licensed to practice law in Georgia or Alabama and in good standing with the Bar required
• Minimum 7 years of experience practicing in relevant areas as in-house counsel and/or in private practice with an emphasis on large, corporate clients with multiple stakeholders required
• Substantial consulting experience on the interplay between business and legal/regulatory considerations
• Knowledge of utility and safety regulations and rules that impact the employment relationship (e.g., NRC, OSHA Whistleblower, DOT) a plus
• Experience in development, implementation and defense of affirmative action plans a plus
• Knowledge and experience in traditional labor law a plus
• Substantial negotiating experience a plus
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills
• Extensive analytical and problem-solving skills
• Able to work autonomously on multiple and complex projects with competing deadlines
• Occasional overnight travel 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Advise Southern Company management and support teams (system-wide) on a broad range of employment and labor relations legal matters, as well as other applicable federal and state statutes and regulations affecting the business.
• Draft and negotiate agreements, opinions, policies, and agency position statements on a broad range of employment and labor related issues. 
• Assist in the development and deployment of employment compliance related policies and practices, especially ones aimed at risk management and mitigation.  
• Direct and assist outside counsel representing Southern Company entities in employment and labor related transactional, litigation, compliance, and regulatory matters. 
• Assist with the development, implementation and defense of system-wide affirmative action plans.
• Assist other members of the legal team by performing other assignments, as directed.
• Direct the work of para-professional and administrative staff.

BEHAVIORAL ATTRIBUTES:

• Team player with good client service skills
• Initiative and ability to prioritize work
• Ability to appreciate and maintain strict confidentiality
• Perform work and act in an honest, highly ethical and professional manner that demonstrates “Our Values” as set by the Company