Corporate Counsel, Employment

Paychex is reimagining how businesses manage their workforce by bringing payroll, HR, benefits, and advisory services together into a single connected HCM platform. As Paychex and Paycor come together, we're combining innovative technology, data-driven insights, AI, and human expertise to help organizations work smarter, support their people, and achieve better business outcomes. This is an exciting time to join our team as we continue to invest in innovation, simplify client experiences, and shape the future of work. At Paychex, you'll have the opportunity to grow your career, make a meaningful impact, and be part of something bigger as One Paychex. Overview Paychex seeks an experienced employment attorney to lead the defense and resolution of employment litigation and agency charges while providing practical advice to Human Resources and business leaders. This role has a substantial disputes practice, with responsibility for strategy, risk assessment and outside counsel oversight from the first demand through final resolution. The Corporate Counsel, Employment also helps internal clients make sound employment decisions, prevent disputes and maintain compliance with applicable federal, state and local employment laws. Responsibilities Employment litigation and dispute resolution • Manage a substantial portfolio of employer-side employment disputes, including demand letters and litigation involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, leave, accommodation and wage-and-hour claims. Develop case strategy from pre-litigation assessment through pleadings, discovery, hearings, trial preparation and resolution. Evaluate legal and factual defenses, potential exposure and business implications, and communicate clear recommendations to legal leadership and internal stakeholders. • Work closely with internal clients to gather facts, identify and prepare witnesses, and coordinate timely preservation of relevant records and litigation holds. Direct and review discovery responses, document production and responses to employment-record subpoenas with outside counsel. Maintain sound judgment in handling sensitive information and protecting confidentiality and privilege. • Select and oversee outside counsel in coordination with legal leadership, establish matter budgets, monitor fees and costs, and hold counsel accountable for strategy, quality and efficiency. Identify opportunities for early resolution, lead mediation and settlement strategy, obtain appropriate settlement authority, and negotiate and review settlement agreements and releases. Report on material developments, exposure and recommended next steps to support informed decisions. Federal, state and local agency defense • Lead the response to employment charges before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and comparable state and local agencies. • Investigate allegations, develop defense strategy, draft and review position statements, and respond to information requests. • Coordinate agency investigations, interviews and mediations, manage deadlines, and partner with outside counsel where appropriate to achieve effective resolution. Internal employment counseling • Provide timely, practical advice to Human Resources and business leaders on hiring, performance management, discipline, termination, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, leave, reasonable accommodation and wage-and-hour issues. Help clients assess options and implement defensible decisions that balance legal risk, business needs and respectful treatment of employees. • Advise on and support internal employment investigations, including fact development, findings and appropriate corrective action. Review employment policies, practices, severance agreements and releases; develop relevant training; and monitor legal developments to recommend improvements. Build trusted internal relationships, collaborate with colleagues across the legal function, and support the Chief Legal Officer on employment matters. Qualifications Required • Juris Doctor degree and active admission to a State Bar in good standing. • A minimum of six years of relevant legal experience is required, including substantial hands-on employer-side employment litigation and defense of federal and state employment agency charges. The experience requirement is mandatory and is separate from the degree requirement. • Demonstrated ability to develop litigation strategy, assess exposure, manage discovery, direct outside counsel and negotiate resolutions. • Strong knowledge of federal and state employment law, sound judgment in sensitive workplace matters, and the ability to translate legal analysis into practical business advice are essential. • Candidates must bring excellent legal writing, advocacy, communication and relationship-building skills, along with the ability to prioritize competing matters and manage deadlines and costs. Preferred • Preferred experience includes multistate employment counseling and litigation, including California, and service in an in-house legal department. Compensation In the spirit of pay transparency, we are excited to share that the starting base pay range for this position is $127,018 - $165,000 annually. Please keep in mind that this range is the base pay only and does not consider other components that make up the total rewards package for the position. If you are hired at Paychex, your overall compensation will be determined based on factors such as geographic location, skills, education, and/or experience which may result in total compensation outside of this range. Live the Paychex Values • Act with uncompromising integrity. • Provide outstanding service and build trusted relationships. • Drive innovation in our products and services and continually improve our processes. • Work in partnership and support each other. • Be personally accountable and deliver on commitments. • Treat each other with respect and dignity. What's in it for you? • We value your well-being: We provide over 21 comprehensive rewards, including medical coverage, virtual wellness classes, tuition reimbursement, 401(k) + employer match, adoption assistance, financial assistance, and much more. • We value your time: From paid time off to company holidays, culture days, and comprehensive work-life balance programs, we will ensure you have the flexibility you need to be your best. • We value your development: Our award-winning training and development programs empower our employees with ongoing learning opportunities to give you the building blocks to grow your career. • We value your perspective: Our company culture reflects the diversity of our employees. We want you to be you and your voice to be heard. • We value our communities: We offer paid time off for volunteerism and promote many company-wide and local initiatives that benefit organizations you care about. Note: The benefits described apply to full-time employees. Benefits for part-time, contract, and intern roles may vary. Not sure if you meet every requirement? At Paychex, we know that great talent comes in many forms. If you're passionate about the role but don't check every box, we still encourage you to apply. You might be the right fit - either for this position or another opportunity with us. Paychex is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering a respectful and inclusive workplace where all individuals are treated fairly and evaluated based on their qualifications, experience, and merit. We comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws prohibiting discrimination in employment. Required • Juris Doctor degree and active admission to a State Bar in good standing. • A minimum of six years of relevant legal experience is required, including substantial hands-on employer-side employment litigation and defense of federal and state employment agency charges. The experience requirement is mandatory and is separate from the degree requirement. • Demonstrated ability to develop litigation strategy, assess exposure, manage discovery, direct outside counsel and negotiate resolutions. • Strong knowledge of federal and state employment law, sound judgment in sensitive workplace matters, and the ability to translate legal analysis into practical business advice are essential. • Candidates must bring excellent legal writing, advocacy, communication and relationship-building skills, along with the ability to prioritize competing matters and manage deadlines and costs. Preferred • Preferred experience includes multistate employment counseling and litigation, including California, and service in an in-house legal department. Employment litigation and dispute resolution • Manage a substantial portfolio of employer-side employment disputes, including demand letters and litigation involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, leave, accommodation and wage-and-hour claims. Develop case strategy from pre-litigation assessment through pleadings, discovery, hearings, trial preparation and resolution. Evaluate legal and factual defenses, potential exposure and business implications, and communicate clear recommendations to legal leadership and internal stakeholders. • Work closely with internal clients to gather facts, identify and prepare witnesses, and coordinate timely preservation of relevant records and litigation holds. Direct and review discovery responses, document production and responses to employment-record subpoenas with outside counsel. Maintain sound judgment in handling sensitive information and protecting confidentiality and privilege. • Select and oversee outside counsel in coordination with legal leadership, establish matter budgets, monitor fees and costs, and hold counsel accountable for strategy, quality and efficiency. Identify opportunities for early resolution, lead mediation and settlement strategy, obtain appropriate settlement authority, and negotiate and review settlement agreements and releases. Report on material developments, exposure and recommended next steps to support informed decisions. Federal, state and local agency defense • Lead the response to employment charges before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and comparable state and local agencies. • Investigate allegations, develop defense strategy, draft and review position statements, and respond to information requests. • Coordinate agency investigations, interviews and mediations, manage deadlines, and partner with outside counsel where appropriate to achieve effective resolution. Internal employment counseling • Provide timely, practical advice to Human Resources and business leaders on hiring, performance management, discipline, termination, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, leave, reasonable accommodation and wage-and-hour issues. Help clients assess options and implement defensible decisions that balance legal risk, business needs and respectful treatment of employees. • Advise on and support internal employment investigations, including fact development, findings and appropriate corrective action. Review employment policies, practices, severance agreements and releases; develop relevant training; and monitor legal developments to recommend improvements. Build trusted internal relationships, collaborate with colleagues across the legal function, and support the Chief Legal Officer on employment matters.