Jr. Attorney

National Express companies share a strong commitment to provide the highest level of transportation safety, quality transportation, outstanding customer service and positive employee relations. Our corporate headquarters, located in Lisle, Illinois, houses the administrative and corporate support functions for the organization. Our 250+ local customer service centers (CSCs) are supported by regional operations teams located throughout North America. Learn more at nellc.com.

POSITION:                        Counsel, Labor Relations

REPORTS TO:                   Vice President/Assistant General Counsel, Labor Relations

LOCATION:                        Open (Remote)

BASIC FUNCTION\:             As a member of the Labor Relations Team within the Legal Department, the Counsel, Labor Relations will have primary responsibility for labor negotiations at our many geographically dispersed operating locations. The role will also interact closely with managers and senior leadership, providing prompt and accurate day-to day advice on a wide range of labor relations topics including collective bargaining negotiations, CBA interpretation, grievance handling, policy and procedure implementation, labor litigation, labor law training, and responding to administrative or regulatory matters. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Function as lead negotiator in collective bargaining negotiations while collaborating closely with managers and senior leaders to develop targeted strategies for individual contract negotiations that align with the Company’s business objectives and initiatives.
• Communicate guidelines for successful labor negotiations to managers and senior leaders and facilitate the process by providing updates on a timely manner.
• Assist senior leaders in developing the Company’s collective bargaining strategy and ensure consistent application of such strategy throughout the organization.
• Provide day-to-day advice and counsel to managers regarding the interpretation and administration of collective bargaining agreements including issuing discipline, implementing policies and procedures, conducting workplace investigations, and making discipline decisions.
• Manage the Company’s responses to labor petitions filed with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
• Develop strategies for responding to labor petitions that are consistent with the Company’s business objectives and initiatives.
• Develop, prepare, and deliver training and educational materials on labor and employment matters such as compliance with various regulations in the US for managers, HR, and senior leaders.
• Represent the Company in labor litigation, including arbitration hearings, NLRB cases, and other matters before federal and state agencies.
• Perform other tasks as assigned from time to time by the VP, Assistant General Counsel, Labor Relations, or the General Counsel, for example, provide advice and counsel to other labor negotiators on collective bargaining law and strategy, assist external labor counsel with labor litigation, assist with strike contingency planning, etc.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• JD from an accredited law school and licensed to practice law.
• 3+ years of legal practice experience with a law firm and/or in house legal department, including experience working with labor unions, in traditional labor law/labor relations matters.
• Strong collective bargaining negotiation skills.
• Knowledge of the major responsibilities, accountabilities, and organization of the legal function or department; ability to provide legal consulting, advice and assistance to front-line operations team, senior executives, and HR.
• Knowledge of and ability to interpret and draw accurate conclusions from both legal and factual information.
• Demonstrated sound business ethics and consistently adhering to and promoting these in all business and personal transactions.
• Ability to manage deadlines, organize and prioritize work and work with other functional teams.
• Flexible work schedule and ability to travel up to 80% of the time
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including – written, verbal, presentation, persuasion, problem management, and negotiation.
• Strong legal research skills (Lexis/Nexis/BNA, Westlaw).
• Knowledge of MS Office Suite and software applications related to job function.
• Dedication to outstanding customer service, analytical/problem solving, and solutions-based problem management.

We offer medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance coverage, holiday pay, and PTO accrual. Additionally, employees are able to enroll in a retirement savings plan. The pay rate range, along with most all of the other terms and conditions of employment, vary between different sites, geographical markets, customer/ contractual terms and positions. 

At National Express our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information (including characteristics and testing), military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. 

National Express LLC’s independent subsidiaries and affiliates are an equal employment opportunity (EEO) employer

The pay rate range, along with most all of the other terms and conditions of employment, vary between different sites, geographical markets, customer/ contractual terms and positions.