Description:

The Opportunity:
Our location in Abbott Park, IL currently has an opportunity for a Counsel, Labor & Employment Counseling & Litigation.

What You'll Work On:
Primary Job Function:

This position is responsible for providing employment and labor law counseling to Abbott's diverse global businesses, representing Abbott in employment and labor law administrative matters, and leading complex employment litigation matters on a global basis.
Candidates with experience managing others and/or leading teams in labor and employment law matters are preferred.

Core Job Responsibilities:

Represent Abbott before government/administrative agencies in discrimination, wage and other employment claims, and in response to threatened claims
Provide legal counsel to management regarding all employment and labor law issues, including restrictive covenants
Provide employment and labor law support on merger and acquisition agreements, due diligence, integration and other business restructuring projects
Support corporate compliance initiatives
Provide project direction and supervision of outside counsel on domestic and international matters
Resolve legal labor and employment issues using negotiation skills and legal expertise
Develop successful employment litigation strategies
Supervise and direct outside counsel in execution of strategies in employment litigation and with provide creative approaches to dispute resolution
Coach and direct assigned support staff in their responsibilities

Critical Success Factors:
Good Judgment: Demonstrate expertise and sound judgment, understand how assigned responsibilities support Abbott's business objectives, and be able to provide practical, risk-balanced advice based upon a thorough understanding of the scope of an issue, taking full advantage of internal networks and external intelligence.

Collaboration: Firm understanding of available legal, functional, and business resources and ability to integrate information from a number of sources to achieve business results, including breaking down boundaries to create alignment as necessary, in a complex, global, matrixed environment.

Anticipation: Holistic, big picture thinker, who anticipates changes in law, enforcement, and/or business objectives and adapts approach as necessary to manage risks effectively and mitigate issues before they arise.

Influencing Skills: Build strong relationships with business partners to tactfully influence and gain their support to drive desired outcomes. Represent Abbott externally to customers, suppliers, competitors, trade associations or government agencies; and resolve legal issues using negotiation skills and legal expertise.

Position Accountability/Scope:

Position reports to Division Counsel, Litigation, responsible for Labor and Employment
Position will interact with senior management in Abbott Legal, Human Resources, and the business units

Qualifications:

Candidates must possess a JD degree and have or be able to obtain appropriate licensure to practice law in Illinois.
Minimum of 5-7 years of management-side labor and employment law counseling and litigation practice (at least 3 with a reputable law firm).
In-house experience preferred.