Counsel– Office General Counsel

Position: Employment Counsel– Office of the General Counsel
** Job Family:
** Legal Counsel
*
* Travel Required:

** Up to 10%
*
* Clearance Required:

** None
*
* What you will do:

** The Employment Counsel (US) is an in-house attorney with 2–3 years of law firm and/or in-house experience who provides practical, business-oriented advice on day-to-day US employment matters for a multi-state workforce. The role partners with HR, Employee Relations, and business leaders to mitigate risk, ensures policy and process consistency, and supports litigation and agency matters, with a strong focus on Guidehouse’s Managed Services businesses and wage-and-hour counseling.
* Manage all aspects of US employment litigation – including initial fact gathering/interviews/EEOC position statement drafting and reviewing; negotiation and settlement of post-termination demands; management of outside counsel, including advising on litigation/arbitration strategy and fulfilling discovery requests
* Provide timely legal counsel on core US employment topics, including performance management, disability and religious accommodations, wage-and-hour, leaves, investigations, and workforce planning, escalating complex issues as appropriate.
* Support internal investigations and fact development; prepare interview outlines; synthesize findings into clear, actionable advice and documentation.
* Review, draft, and update employment policies, guidelines, handbooks, and templates to promote consistent practices across jurisdictions.
* Prepare and negotiate routine employment-related agreements, including offer letters, proprietary information and invention assignment agreements, and separation agreements.
* Conduct restrictive covenant assessments (non-compete, non-solicit, confidentiality), including initial enforce ability reviews and coordination with outside counsel as needed.
* Advise on wage-and-hour compliance (classification, exemption analyses, pay practices, meal/rest breaks, timekeeping) and partner with HR/Payroll on remediation strategies where necessary.
* Contribute to workforce transactions (reorganizations, RIFs), including risk assessments, selection criteria reviews, and communications materials.
* Collaborate with HR, Compliance, and business stakeholders to deliver training and communicate policy changes.
*
* What you will need:

*** Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school; active bar membership in at least one US jurisdiction (Illinois preferred).
* 5 + years of experience practicing employment law at a law firm and/or in-house, with meaningful exposure to counseling and disputes. Additional education may be substituted for experience.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex legal concepts for non-lawyer audiences.
* Strong judgment and discretion handling confidential and sensitive matters.
** What would be nice to have:
*** Demonstrated experience with restrictive covenant review and wage-and-hour counseling/litigation support.
* Prior in-house or secondment experience in a professional services or consulting environment.
* Multi-state employment counseling experience and familiarity with agency practice (EEOC, DOL, state equivalents).
* Experience with workforce transactions (restructurings, RIFs) and separation programs.
* Client service orientation and the ability to build trust-based relationships with HR and business stakeholders.
* Bias for practicality and clear, direct writing.
* Strong project management, issue spotting, and prioritization skills; comfort operating in a fast-paced environment.
* Uncompromising integrity, sound judgment, and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Hybrid role based in San Antonio, TX; periodic travel may be required (~10–15%)
*
* What We Offer:

** Guidehouse offers a comprehensive, total rewards package that includes competitive compensation and a flexible benefits package that reflects our commitment to creating a diverse and supportive workplace.

Benefits include:
* Medical, Rx, Dental & Vision Insurance
* Personal and Family Sick Time & Company Paid Holidays
* Position may be eligible for a discretionary variable incentive bonus
* Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance
* 401(k) Retirement Plan
*…