9195 - Labor Counsel - Exempt Non-Union

About the position The Cook County Board of Review is a quasi-judicial body that reviews and hears property tax appeals. The Labor Counsel will serve as the Cook County Board of Review’s (CCBOR) legal advisor on labor and employment matters, advising leadership and Human Resources (HR) on collective bargaining, grievance administration, labor relations strategy, employee discipline, and compliance with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws. The Labor Counsel will manage the relationship between CCBOR, its employees, and certified bargaining representatives by negotiating, administering, and enforcing labor agreements and providing hands-on legal guidance on post-ratification Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) implementation and administration. The Labor Counsel partners with the County Bureau of Human Resources (BHR) and coordinates with assigned counsel to mitigate labor-relations risk and ensure practices align with County policy and operational needs. The ideal candidate will possess expertise in statues, negotiations and dispute resolution.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal counsel and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local labor and employment laws and regulations, including workplace safety, discrimination, and wage and hour regulations. Serve as a resource to management on labor relations matters in accordance with the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act (IPLRA).
• Provide strategic guidance on collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations and interpretation and enforcement of labor agreements.
• Advise leadership and Human Resources (HR) on workforce actions, including discipline and discharge decisions, leave management issues, accommodation requests, organizational restructuring, and workforce changes.
• Support the development and implementation of employment plans aligned with ratified CBAs, County policy, and operational needs.
• Assist in the development, review, and revision of personnel policies, employee handbooks, and labor-related procedures.
• Provide training and guidance to leadership and managers on labor relations and employment law compliance.
• Represent CCBOR in mediation, arbitration, and labor board proceedings, in coordination with assigned counsel, as applicable.
• Serve as a liaison between management and union representatives to support constructive communication and issue resolution.
• Represent CCBOR in administrative hearings and employment litigation, as assigned and in coordination with assigned counsel.
• May assist with standard pre-employment screening activities in accordance with CCBOR protocol and applicable legal requirements.

Requirements

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex legal concepts to diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to build collaborative working relationships with leadership, HR professionals, and union representatives.
• Demonstrated knowledge of labor and employment law, collective bargaining, and arbitration processes.
• Ability to interpret and apply complex statutes, regulations, and labor agreements in operational contexts.
• Sound judgment and the ability to assess legal and labor-relations risk in complex employment matters.
• High degree of discretion and professionalism in handling sensitive personnel and labor-relations issues.
• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited college or university.
• Licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois; admission to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois preferred.
• Minimum of five (5) years of full-time, progressively responsible experience practicing labor and employment law in the public and/or private sector.
• Demonstrated experience advising management on labor relations, collective bargaining, grievance administration, and interpretation and enforcement of labor agreements.
• Background in human resources, labor relations, or a closely related field, with hands-on experience supporting labor contract negotiations and post-ratification administration.
• Must establish and maintain Cook County, Illinois, residency. Employees are required to live full-time within the geographic boundaries of Cook County, Illinois.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience working in or with governmental entities, public-sector unions, or quasi-judicial agencies is preferred.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Basic Term Life Insurance
• Pension Plan and Deferred Compensation Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid holidays, vacation, and sick time

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