Counsel, Employment and Labor Compliance/Analytics - Chicago

A nationally recognized law firm is seeking an experienced Labor & Employment Counsel to join its Chicago office. This role blends traditional employment law litigation and counseling with data-driven workforce compliance. The ideal candidate will have a strong foundation in employment law and experience working with HR data, compliance auditing, and statistical analysis to support pay equity assessments, adverse impact reviews, and regulatory compliance projects.

Key Responsibilities:

Employment Litigation & Advisory Support:

• Advise clients on various employment law matters, including Title VII, ADA, FLSA, FMLA, DEI compliance (including government contractor obligations), wage and hour audits, and worker classification.
• Manage employment litigation cases, including administrative charges and compliance disputes.
• Provide strategic legal counsel on workplace policies and risk mitigation strategies.

Workforce Analytics & Compliance:

• Conduct statistical analyses on employment decisions related to hiring, terminations, promotions, and performance ratings to ensure compliance and mitigate risk.
• Advise on pay equity audits, leveraging quantitative methods to promote fair compensation structures.
• Collaborate with HR and data analytics teams to analyze workforce trends and support compliance initiatives.

Regulatory & Compliance Projects:

• Lead complex compliance projects involving risk assessments, workforce analytics, and regulatory guidance.
• Counsel clients on compliance audits related to ethics programs, DEI regulations, and workforce policies.
• Utilize statistical methodologies to assess legal risks and promote equal employment opportunities.

Data Analysis & Interpretation:

• Oversee and conduct statistical modeling for pay equity and adverse impact assessments.
• Translate workforce data into meaningful insights through visualization and legal reporting.
• Partner with HR, compliance, and analytics professionals to ensure accuracy in workforce data.

Client & Team Collaboration:

• Work closely with internal teams and external stakeholders to provide strategic legal guidance.
• Communicate complex legal and analytical findings in a clear and actionable manner.

Qualifications:

• J.D. from an accredited law school and active Illinois Bar membership (or eligibility to waive in).
• Minimum of 5 years of employment law litigation and counseling experience, ideally in a law firm setting.
• Proficiency in workforce analytics, compliance auditing, and pay equity assessments.
• Strong understanding of employment laws, including Title VII, ADA, FLSA, and FMLA, along with emerging pay transparency regulations.
• Hands-on experience analyzing workforce data, conducting adverse impact assessments, and performing compliance reviews.
• Familiarity with statistical tools or programming languages (e.g., R, Python, Stata, or advanced Excel) for employment-related compliance assessments.
• Excellent communication and project management skills.

Preferred Experience:

Candidates with at least one of the following will be highly considered:

• Educational background in data science, statistics, economics, or a related field.
• Experience conducting pay equity reviews, workforce analytics, or compliance-driven data assessments.
• Data analytics certification such as IBM Data Analyst Professional Certificate, Google Data Analytics Certificate, or equivalent.
• Proficiency in data visualization tools such as SQL, Tableau, or Power BI.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Bonus potential based on individual and firm performance.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including multiple medical plans, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
• Pre-tax benefits such as health savings and flexible spending accounts.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with potential profit-sharing contributions.
• Generous paid time off, including vacation days, firm holidays, and parental leave.
• Additional benefits, including fertility assistance and family-forming support.
• Hybrid work environment.

This firm is committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable work environment. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status. If you require accommodations during the application process, please notify laura@oculusgroup.com.