Associate Counsel

POSITION SUMMARY
The Associate Counsel (Labor & Employment) provides legal advisory, compliance, and litigation support on labor and employment matters involving the Company and its clients. The role is responsible for advising management on employee relations matters, disciplinary and administrative proceedings, labor standards compliance, contract review, workplace policy development, labor dispute resolution, and regulatory compliance.
The position works closely with Human Resources, Operations, and Management to identify legal risks, ensure compliance with Philippine labor laws, and promote sound employment practices across the organization.
QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be a licensed lawyer and a member in good standing of the Philippine Bar
• Preferably with one (1) to two (2) years of experience in labor and employment law gained from a law firm, corporate legal department, or as in-house counsel
• Experience supporting a BPO, shared services, outsourcing company, multinational corporation, or other high-volume employment environment is highly preferred
• Demonstrated experience handling labor and employment matters, including:
  • Administrative investigations;
  • Disciplinary proceedings;
  • Employee relations concerns;
  • Labor standards compliance;
  • Proceedings before the DOLE, NLRC, and SENA
• Experience drafting and reviewing employment contracts, workplace policies, employee handbooks, disciplinary documents, legal opinions, pleadings, affidavits, settlement agreements, quitclaims, releases, and related legal documents
• Experience in reviewing and negotiating commercial, consultancy, independent contractor, and other agreements with labor and employment implications is preferred
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Filipino
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications
• Comfortable working with foreign nationals and cross-functional stakeholders
• Willing to travel, as necessary, to Iloilo, Cebu, Clark, and other Company locations to attend hearings, conferences, investigations, and other legal proceedings

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Strong knowledge of Philippine labor and employment laws, regulations, jurisprudence, and administrative procedures
• Excellent legal research, legal writing, drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills
• Ability to provide practical, risk-based, and business-oriented legal advice
• Ability to independently assess legal risks, formulate appropriate recommendations, and exercise sound legal judgment within the scope of assigned matters
• Strong organizational and case management skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Strong interpersonal, stakeholder management, and negotiation skills
• High level of professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality
  

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Provide legal advice and compliance support on labor and employment matters affecting the Company and its clients
2. Advise Human Resources, Operations, and Management on employee relations concerns, disciplinary actions, workplace investigations, performance management, and termination matters
3. Draft, review, and negotiate employment contracts, consultancy agreements, independent contractor agreements, workplace policies, employee handbooks, legal opinions, pleadings, and other employment-related documents
4. Review commercial contracts and client agreements to identify labor and employment implications and recommend appropriate legal safeguards
5. Conduct legal research and prepare legal memoranda, advisories, compliance updates, and legal opinions
6. Represent the Company and its clients, when authorized, before DOLE, NLRC, SENA, and other government agencies
7. Liaise with government agencies in connection with labor cases, inspections, certifications, compliance requirements, and regulatory filings
8. Assist in developing and updating employment policies, procedures, and compliance programs
9. Conduct training programs and legal briefings on labor laws, disciplinary procedures, workplace investigations, and compliance requirements
10. Attend management, client, and operational meetings to provide legal advice and identify employment-related risks
11. Monitor and manage labor cases, investigations, legal requests, and regulatory matters, and prepare reports for Management
12. Maintain accurate and confidential legal records, case files, and documentation
13. Identify material legal, regulatory, and employment risks and recommend appropriate courses of action to Management
14. Perform such other legal and compliance-related duties as may be assigned by Management