Counsel

Job Overview

We are currently seeking a qualified, highly motivated, experienced individual for the position of Counsel. The position reports to the Senior Legal Counsel and the location is remote. Counsel will be part of a team of attorneys and legal professionals, and will help support the employment law and litigation functions at Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc.  This strategic legal resource will provide timely legal advice, counsel, and representation in connection with employment and labor law matters, advising on internal investigations, pre-litigation and litigation support (including managing outside counsel), and assisting with and taking lead on various projects and legal tasks as needed.  Moreover, the Counsel position will also have the opportunity to advise and support general matters, including non-employment law disputes.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Employment Law Support

• Provide advice and support to our HR team, HR Business Partners and the business on a broad range of employment and workplace issues including hiring, terminations, performance management, leaves of absence, investigations, accommodations, compensation and benefit matters, organizational design, and other employment-related matters
• Draft and edit employment-related documents, correspondence, agreements, processes and policies
• Assess legal risk and provide solutions for resolving workplace and employment disputes
• Assist in pre-litigation and litigation efforts including evidence gathering and analysis, discovery, pleading review, deposition prep, and outside legal counsel management
• Respond to third-party subpoenas and assist with record requests
• Participate in the creation and delivery of training related to employment law matters
• Advise stakeholders on legal changes and developments related to employment law
• Manage relationships with external counsel, including tracking spend and managing budget
• Provide advice on employment-related contracts in response to business questions
• Assist with employment-law special projects and risk assessments

General Advice, Litigation, and Special Projects

• Assist with managing legal hold process for employment and non-employment litigation
• Assist with non-employment law pre-litigation and litigation efforts
• Draft reports, presentations, spreadsheets, memos and other documents for the Legal Department, clients and/or the senior management team
• Assist and/or lead special projects such as collaborating on strategic department-wide or company-wide initiatives

Key Core Competencies

• Ability to evaluate and escalate risk to ensure appropriate decision-making
• Ability to work effectively in a self-directed remote environment
• Treats people with respect and inspires the trust of others
• Works creatively and with a passion for the mission of the company (“We are in the constant pursuit of self-innovation to deliver patient first, innovative products and services with speed so that people around the world can lead healthier and more fulfilling lives”)
• Works with integrity and ethically in accordance with company’s Code of Business Conduct, policies, and procedures
• Able to collaborate, as well as work independently while balancing competing priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment with a high level of professionalism
• Demonstrates daily customer-service orientation and a positive, ‘can do’ attitude
• Prioritizes self-motivation, reliability, and responsibility
• Demonstrates excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Able to be flexible and shift priorities as needed, and is willing to accept new responsibilities and develop professionally in substantive areas
• Exercises discretion and good judgment while handling confidential and sensitive information

Education and Experience

Education

• Juris Doctor from an accredited U.S. law school; admitted/licensed to practice law 

Experience

• 3-5+ years of experience with litigation, with at least two years’ experience with Employment law
• Working knowledge of employment laws, regulations, and guidance
• Experience with California employment laws and regulations preferred
• Prior experience in-house with biotechnology or a pharmaceutical company or at a company with a sales force preferred

The base salary range for this role is $192,320 - $240,400.  Base salary is part of our total rewards package which also includes the opportunity for merit-based salary increases, short incentive plan participation, eligibility for our 401(k) plan, medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurances and leaves provided in line with your work state.  Our robust time-off policy includes flexible paid time off, 11 paid holidays plus additional time off for a shut-down period during the last week of December, 80 hours of paid sick time upon hire and each year thereafter.  Total compensation, including base salary to be offered, will depend on elements unique to each candidate, including candidate experience, skills, education and other factors permitted by law.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

Confidential Data: All information (written, verbal, electronic, etc.) that an employee encounters is considered confidential.

Compliance: Achieve and maintain Compliance with all applicable regulatory, legal and operational rules and procedures, by ensuring that all plans and activities for and on behalf of Sumitomo Pharma America (SMPA) and affiliates are carried out with the "best" industry practices and the highest ethical standards.

Mental/Physical Requirements: Fast paced environment handling multiple demands. Must be able to exercise appropriate judgment as necessary. Requires a high level of initiative and independence. Excellent written and oral communication skills required. Requires ability to use a personal computer for extended periods of time.

Sumitomo Pharma America (SMPA) is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; creed; religion; national origin; age; ancestry; nationality; marital, domestic partnership or civil union status; sex, gender; affectional or sexual orientation; disability; veteran or military status or liability for military status; domestic violence victim status; atypical cellular or blood trait; genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing) or any other characteristic protected by law.