Employment & Labor Law Attorney - Join Robert Half in Chicago, IL

Robert Half, a global leader in professional staffing and consulting, is thrilled to partner with a prestigious college in Chicago, Illinois to find an exceptional Employment & Labor Law Attorney. This pivotal in-house role offers the chance to provide strategic legal counsel on complex employment matters while supporting the institution's mission in higher education. If you have deep expertise in labor relations, union negotiations, and compliance, this position at our esteemed client represents a prime opportunity to advance your career in a dynamic academic environment. With a competitive salary starting at $120,000, this full-time role is perfect for seasoned attorneys seeking impactful work in Chicago employment law jobs.

About the Role

As the Employment & Labor Law Attorney, you will serve as a trusted advisor to Human Resources, academic leadership, and the Provost’s Office. Your primary focus will be on employment and labor relations, ensuring the college navigates union dynamics, employee disputes, and regulatory compliance seamlessly. This position demands a proactive legal partner who thrives in collaborative settings, handling everything from day-to-day advisories to high-stakes negotiations and litigation oversight. Reporting directly to senior leadership, you'll play a key role in fostering a compliant, equitable workplace that supports faculty, staff, and students. Ideal for professionals passionate about labor law careers in higher education, this role combines specialized employment practice with broader institutional counsel on real estate, IP, privacy, and student affairs.

Key Responsibilities

Your day-to-day will be varied and engaging, drawing on your labor law acumen:

• Provide expert advice on labor law issues, including handling grievances, responding to information requests, interpreting bargaining agreements, and leading union negotiations.
• Partner closely with HR and the Provost’s Office to resolve union-related challenges for part-time faculty and staff.
• Guide on critical employee matters such as classification, compensation structures, and pay equity to minimize risks.
• Offer counsel on real estate leases, facilities management, and related legal concerns.
• Lead internal investigations into workplace complaints and represent the college in administrative proceedings before agencies like the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
• Advise leadership on sensitive issues including employee discipline, terminations, leaves of absence, and reasonable accommodations under ADA and FMLA.
• Monitor and direct employment-related litigation managed by external counsel, ensuring cost-effective outcomes.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide array of contracts, from vendor agreements to faculty contracts.
• Deliver legal insights on intellectual property protection, student affairs policies, data privacy (FERPA, GDPR implications), and other higher education-specific matters.
• Perform in-depth legal research on evolving statutes, regulations, and case law to keep the institution ahead of compliance curves.
• Maintain rigorous adherence to federal (NLRA, FLSA), state (Illinois labor laws), and local ordinances.
• Undertake additional duties to support the Office of General Counsel as needed.

Required Qualifications

To excel in this Chicago labor attorney position, candidates should possess:

• A Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school and an active Illinois Bar license in good standing.
• At least 5-7 years of substantive experience in employment and labor law, ideally in higher education, public sector, or large organizations with unions.
• Demonstrated success in union negotiations, grievance arbitration, and collective bargaining.
• Proficiency in managing internal investigations, administrative hearings, and overseeing outside litigation.
• Strong analytical skills for legal research using tools like Westlaw or LexisNexis.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication, with the ability to translate complex legal concepts for non-lawyers.
• Familiarity with higher education regulations, Title IX, FERPA, and related areas is highly desirable.
• A collaborative mindset, with excellent judgment and discretion in handling sensitive matters.

Advanced credentials like an LLM in Labor Law or collective bargaining experience will set you apart.

Why Join Us?

Partnering with Robert Half means accessing unparalleled opportunities in the competitive Chicago legal job market. Our client offers a supportive, mission-driven culture at a leading college, where your expertise directly impacts education and community. Enjoy a $120,000+ salary, robust benefits including health coverage, 401(k) matching, PTO, and professional development stipends. Hybrid flexibility and tuition remission perks enhance work-life balance. Robert Half provides seamless placement support, career coaching, and exposure to top employers. Apply now for this employment law attorney job in Chicago and elevate your career with a firm renowned for excellence. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity. (Word count: 852)