Counsel, Labor & Employment

LA28 does not provide relocation assistance.

LA28 is the independent, non-profit, privately funded organizing committee for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. We are on a singular mission to create an Olympic and Paralympic Games that celebrate all that this city and country have to offer, delivering an unparalleled experience for athletes, fans, partners and our community.  

The 2028 Games mark the return of the Summer Games to the U.S. for the first time in 32 years and Los Angeles’ third time hosting an Olympic Games and first time welcoming the Paralympic Games. This presents the unique and exciting opportunity to celebrate our legacy with the Games and push the Olympic and Paralympic Movements forward, writing a new chapter of Games history in Los Angeles.  

Putting on an Olympic and Paralympic Games is a team sport. To build a Games unlike any the world has seen before, we need the best team in place–a team full of diverse perspectives, experiences and expertise. We are guided by the following set of values and behaviors–optimism, integrity, excellence, inclusion, co-creation and boldness–and look forward to hearing about how your past experiences align with them.

Labor & Employment Counsel:

The Counsel, Labor & Employment will be an integral part of the legal team, working closely with the broader legal department to advise LA28 on labor and employment legal matters as the size of the workforce expands and contracts.  This position will leverage strategic critical thinking, relationship-building, negotiation, and communication skills to advise LA28 on labor and employment matters, oversee and direct internal investigations, negotiate and draft employment-related agreements, and provide day-to-day advice to LA28’s People Management team. 

This position will report to the Sr. Managing Counsel, Labor & Employment. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide day-to-day legal advice on a variety of employment matters, including recruitment and hiring practices, payroll and benefits administration, ADA accommodations, absence management, employee relations matters, and end-of-employment compliance and risk management. 
• Partner with People Management in implementation and legal oversight of internal investigations protocol. 
• Handle litigation-related processes, including dispute resolution, subpoenas for personnel records, oversight of workers’ compensation litigation, response to administrative charges of discrimination, response to threats of employment-related litigation, and manage outside counsel engagements. 
• Assist with legal oversight and review of visa and immigration matters. 
• Monitor changes in employment-related laws and provide ongoing summary and strategic legal guidance for compliance, including updates to employee handbook. 
• Proactively identify and assess legal risks and opportunities within labor & employment areas, including compliance with international, federal, state and local laws and regulations and advise accordingly. 
• Review and understand all relevant corporate/stakeholder documents that govern LA28’s charitable governance and Games-related commitments, including Host City Contract, Olympic Charter, Code of Ethics, Games Agreement, etc. 

Background & Requirements:

• Minimum 3+ years’ experience practicing company/management side employment law in California 
• Prior law firm and/or in-house experience 
• Proficiency in keyboarding and use of Microsoft Office Suite products such as Word, PowerPoint, Excel 
• Ability to navigate and use office applications such as SharePoint, Smartsheets, and contract management databases 

Expectations:

• Concrete understanding of California and federal employment laws and where they overlap and differ 
• Understand business needs and be creative and collaborative in making sense of complex and sometimes contradictory information to solve issues 
• Excellent judgment in knowing when to escalate issues 
• Strong interpersonal skills and effective communication with internal and external parties, including senior management, colleagues, and external counsel 
• Excellent project and time management skills 
• Ability to spot issues that overlap with projects and work of other legal colleagues, and collaborate to reconcile approach 
• High level of personal integrity, professionalism and ethics with ability to preserve confidentiality and privilege 
• Demonstrated commitment to co-creation and collaborative decision-making 
• Ability to work well under pressure with tight deadlines 
• Ability to multi-task and pivot priorities in fast-paced work environment with shifting business demands 

Education:

• Bachelor of Arts degree from a 4-year accredited university 
• Juris Doctor degree from an ABA accredited law school 
• Licensed to practice law in the State of California and in good standing with State Bar 

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Work on-site in LA28’s DTLA headquarters 
• Ability to work on-site Monday through Friday in open office environment 
• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods while working at desk, computer, and/or attending meetings 
• Hours of work may vary, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, especially during peak event periods. 

The annual base salary range for this position is $105,000 - $150,000. The pay scale provided is the range that LA28 reasonably expects to pay as starting base compensation for this role. All LA28 compensation remains subject to final determination based on individual candidate qualifications, experience, or other reasonable criteria consistent with LA28’s operational business needs and applicable law.

LA28 does not provide relocation assistance.

LA28 is committed to fair and unbiased recruitment procedures allowing all applicants an equal opportunity for employment, free from discrimination on the basis of religion, race, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability, color, ethnic or national origin, or any other classification as may be protected by applicable law. LA28 will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance and all applicable laws. We strive to build a team that is inclusive and encourage qualified candidates of all backgrounds, perspectives, and identities to apply. We assess applications based on relevant skills, education, and experience a candidate can add to our team.