Senior Corporate Counsel

Alaska Airlines • Seatac, WA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The in-house legal team works in a “shared services” environment. Employed by Alaska Airlines, the attorneys provide legal services for Alaska Airlines (AS), Hawaiian Airlines (HA), Horizon Air (QX), McGee Air Services, and Alaska Air Group (AAG). The individual in this role reports to Legal Division leadership, is part of the labor and employment team within the Legal Department, and is responsible for handling advice and counseling, labor arbitrations, litigation, and other tasks involving legal risk management for AAG, AS, HA, QX and McGee.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor degree, with strong personal academic credentials.
• Licensed attorney in good standing in at least one state bar, preferably licensed in California, Hawaii, or Washington State.
• 8+ years of relevant experience as a practicing attorney with expertise in labor and employment law advice and counseling and labor and employment litigation in a law firm, in-house, or government setting.
• Resourceful, able to drive projects and initiatives to conclusion, and comfortable providing legal advice in ambiguous situations.
• Ability to quickly come up to speed on airline specific policies and processes, including collective bargaining agreements and industry-specific regulations.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, appropriate for lawyers, operational leaders, and human resources, including the ability to explain issues to individuals without a legal background.
• Ability to think quickly, convey grace under pressure, find practical solutions and simultaneously manage workloads, multiple client demands and shifting priorities in a fast-paced, highly detailed environment where flexibility is key.
• Advanced problem-solving capabilities, judgment, interpersonal skills, and ability to collaborate with colleagues as needed regarding issues outside of primary practice area.
• Proven ability to leverage business acumen and analytic capability to position the organization as a critical business partner.
• Ability to create collaborative relationships that drive outcomes in the best interest of the company, with others in the organization, and with key external business partners.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills, ability to work independently, manage time and multi-task.
• Demonstrate high standards for professional integrity and ethics.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).
• Strong communication (e.g., verbal, written, presentation) and interpersonal skills, with the ability to create collaborative relationships that drive outcomes in the best interest of the company, with others in the organization, and with key external business partners.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum age of 18.
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S.

Nice To Haves

• Airline industry experience
• Knowledge of and practice in one or more of the following areas: traditional labor law, preemption principles, California-specific labor and employment laws, complex wage and hour laws, and/or employee benefits.
• Knowledge of and experience with applying rules of privilege in a corporate setting.
• Experience conducting or overseeing workplace investigations.
• Trial experience or experience handling labor arbitrations or collective bargaining.

Responsibilities

• Provides labor and employment law advice to labor relations, human resources, and operational division personnel at AAG, AS, HA, QX and McGee.
• Conducts legal research and analysis and investigates issues bearing on labor and employment law matters.
• Drafts, reviews, and negotiates contracts, letter agreements, and settlement agreements.
• Responds to demand letters and agency charges and manages and handles arbitrations and litigation, with or without assistance from outside counsel.
• Works with paralegals to issue litigation holds, respond to discovery requests, and handle other litigation-related tasks.
• Participates in negotiating labor contracts as a Legal SME.
• Collaborates with other in-house lawyers to establish common expectations with law firms, realize economies, set finance reserves, and keep Legal Division leadership including the Vice President Legal, Managing Director & Associate General Counsel Labor and Employment, and EVP, Chief Legal Officer abreast of legal developments and exposure.
• Drafts, reviews, and edits pleadings and discovery requests in litigation and arbitration matters.
• May be called upon to take or defend depositions, to represent an AAG company at arbitration hearings, and/or appear in court.
• Manages outside legal counsel, including reviewing legal costs.
• Travels for client matters and to industry-related legal conferences.

Benefits

• Free stand-by travel privileges on Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines & Horizon Air with high priority status
• Select number of confirmed travel credits provided annually
• Comprehensive well-being programs including medical, dental and vision benefits
• Generous 401k match program
• Quarterly and annual bonus plans
• Generous holiday and paid time off

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree