The Northwestern Mutual Law Department is seeking an experienced and agile attorney who is interested in joining a diverse, challenging, and fast-paced practice advising the Company on a wide range of labor, employment and tax issues. The position will support and provide day-to-day legal advice to Company's human resources department and other business units.

What's The Role:

This attorney will be a member of the Law Department's Corporate Team, which is responsible for providing legal support and advice to the Company in the areas of human resources, employee benefits, company tax, investment tax, and general corporate matters.

Specifically, this attorney will:

• Provide legal, strategic and business advice and support to the Law Department and human resources on day-to-day employee relations matters and compliance, including: workers' compensation, accommodation requests, unemployment claims, payroll tax, employment and severance agreements, return to work and COVID related issues, active role in union negotiations and union contract administration matters for union-covered employees, employment related administrative agency complaints, immigration, pre-litigation and arbitration management, and employee/contractor distinctions.
• Assist the human resources department in developing labor and employment-related policies, procedures, and training materials; including supporting diversity and inclusion initiatives.
• Provide support to business units that interface with independent contractor field force on applicable employment law related matters.
• Monitor and keep up to date on all applicable federal and state employment laws, regulations, and policies.
• Participate in the drafting of employee benefit plans, assist in employee benefit plan reporting and disclosure compliance, administration and other general ERISA matters.
• Develop working knowledge of corporate tax, governance and other business matters.

Bring Your Best! What this role needs:

• Candidates must have at least five years of legal experience relating to labor and employment law at either a law firm or in-house law department.
• Candidates must be able to analyze a variety of legal issues, synthesize complex information, research effectively, and provide solution-oriented legal advice to business professionals throughout the Company.
• Candidates must have an exemplary academic record and a Juris Doctorate. A license to practice law in the State of Wisconsin or a commitment to become licensed within the first year of employment is required.

Desired personal attributes:

• The scope of this role may change over time to respond to business needs. The successful candidate will be flexible and adaptable in terms of general skill sets and aspirations.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, a highly analytical and curious mind, creativity, comfort dealing with ambiguity, integrity, high ethical standards, and a positive demeanor, both with the Company's business areas, and Law Department attorneys.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate and contribute effectively in a team environment and to manage a multi-jurisdictional practice.
• Ability to work autonomously and to effectively prioritize multiple tasks at the same time.
• A keen problem-solving approach using sound legal reasoning and practical business judgment to identify and address risks and achieve results that balance benefits for all stakeholders of the Company.

Information About Northwestern Mutual and the Law Department:

Of the Northwestern Mutual Law Department's approximately 115 people, roughly 75 are lawyers, having come to Northwestern Mutual from all around the country after having graduated from a multitude of law schools and undergraduate institutions and having practiced in a wide variety of settings. The balance of the Department consists of highly-skilled paralegals and research and administrative professionals who support significant aspects of the Department's operations. Our Law Department (in every aspect of its operation, including the Law Department Leadership Team, the Department's practicing lawyers, and the Department's professional administrative staff) is inclusive and diverse, comprising a rich mixture of men and women who come from a wide variety of ethnic and religious backgrounds and includes people of color and those who are openly gay or lesbian.

The Northwestern Mutual Law Department provides the vast majority of legal services in nearly all disciplines directly to the Company, with only select utilization of outside counsel. There are nine main practice teams within the Law Department: Insurance Products and Operations; Digital Products and Operations; Investment Products and Advisory Services; Corporate; Distribution; Litigation; Enterprise Governance; Private Securities Investments; and Real Estate Investments. Lawyers have the opportunity to develop a thorough understanding of the Company's business needs and are fully engaged in the execution of the Company's business strategy. This allows members of the Law Department to provide the most timely and effective counsel in an efficient manner and leads to greater career satisfaction for our attorneys, paralegals, and professional administrative staff.

This job is not covered by the existing Collective Bargaining Agreement.

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This job is not covered by the existing Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Required Certifications:

We are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you work in Colorado or work remotely, please click here for information pertaining to compensation and benefits.

We're excited about the potential people bring to Northwestern Mutual. You can grow your career here while enjoying first-class perks, benefits, and commitment to diversity and inclusion.