OGC Assistant General Counsel – Employment (EMEA)

Latham & Watkins, LLP; City of London; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A global law firm is seeking an OGC Assistant General Counsel – Employment (EMEA) to provide expert legal advice on employment law matters. Responsibilities include managing litigation, coordinating investigations, and leading policy development. Candidates should have extensive employment law knowledge and a law degree. This role is full-time, located in London, and involves interacting with senior leadership and stakeholders.

Benefits

Health insurance

Pension plan

Wellness programs

Employee discounts

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of employment laws/regulations in the UK and EMEA.
• Experience as a UK-qualified employment lawyer.
• Prior experience as a revenue-side employment lawyer at a peer law firm.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage employment litigation and contentious matters.
• Advise and coordinate internal investigations related to employment matters.
• Lead the drafting and negotiation of sophisticated employment documentation.

Skills

Employment law knowledge

Cross-departmental project leadership

Trust building

Interface with firm leaders

Education

Law degree from an accredited law school

UK bar membership

Job description

OGC Assistant General Counsel – Employment (EMEA)

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About Latham & Watkins

Latham & Watkins is a global law firm consistently ranked among the top firms in the world. The success of our firm is largely determined by our commitment to hire and develop the very best and brightest, creating a team that provides our clients with the highest quality of work and service. We are driven by our core values: respect, innovation, and collaboration.

About the Role

The OGC Assistant General Counsel – Employment (EMEA) is a vital role in Latham’s Office of the General Counsel (OGC). You will join a dynamic legal team, working closely with senior OGC employment lawyers to provide expert legal advice and strategic guidance to internal stakeholders and leadership on the full spectrum of employment law matters. In this role, you will navigate complex employment‑related issues, manage complex employee relations and high‑stakes investigations, and guide on commercial risk mitigation in personnel matters.

Responsibilities

• Employment Litigation and Contentious Matters: Leading and managing employment litigation and contentious matters by providing expert advice, developing strategies to mitigate legal risks, and offering strategic oversight and direction for effective dispute resolution.
• Internal Investigations: Advising and coordinating internal investigations related to employment matters, providing strategic recommendations based on findings to senior management.
• Advanced Drafting and Negotiation: Leading the drafting, review, and negotiation of sophisticated employment documentation, including offer letters and contracts, remote work/mobility agreements, variation agreements, separation agreements, indemnities and warranties, waivers, and consents.
• International Compliance Coordination: Collaborating with external local counsel across various jurisdictions to deliver strategic guidance on employee relations matters throughout EMEA and ensuring adherence to local employment laws and regulations across jurisdictions.
• Legislative Interpretation: Leading the monitoring and interpretation of pending employment law legislation in relevant EMEA jurisdictions and advising on strategic implications for the firm.
• Policy Development and Implementation: Driving the development and implementation of employment policies and procedures, ensuring legal compliance and alignment with strategic objectives.
• Complex Contractual Advice: Reviews and negotiates employment law provisions in commercial contracts; prepares strategic advice on the UK Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations (TUPE) and ensures compliance with EMEA equivalent rules.
• Supervision of Junior Team Members: Supervising junior members of the OGC Employment legal team, providing guidance, support, and professional development opportunities to enhance their skills and performance.

Qualifications

• Possess extensive knowledge of employment laws/regulations in the UK and a familiarity with, and desire to learn, employment laws/regulations in the countries in EMEA in which we have offices.
• Exhibit the ability to successfully interface with, and build the trust of, firm leaders.
• Demonstrate the ability to lead cross‑departmental projects.
• A law degree from an accredited law school.
• An active bar membership.
• Experience as a UK‑qualified employment lawyer.
• Prior experience as a revenue‑side employment lawyer at a peer law firm.
• Prior experience as an in‑house employment lawyer, preferably.
• Prior experience with relevant EMEA jurisdictions, preferably.

Benefits & Additional Information

• Health insurance as well as group income protection and life assurance.
• A pension plan.
• Wellness programs.
• Employee discounts.
• And more! (including Global Affinity Groups).

Latham & Watkins is an equal opportunity employer. The Firm prohibits discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race (including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles), colour, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status (including veterans of the Vietnam era), gender expression, marital status, or any other characteristic or condition protected by applicable statute.

Senior Level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment Type

Full‑time

Job Function

Legal

Industry

Law Practice

Location

London, England, United Kingdom