Senior Counsel - Labor & Employment

The Legal & Corporate Affairs team is responsible for safeguarding the company’s reputation, ensuring we are operating with integrity and in line with our strategic initiatives. The Legal team provides high-quality legal services, ensures legal compliance and mitigates risks.  The Corporate Communications team works to execute strategic and effective communication efforts that drive brand awareness, preference and reputation with internal and external stakeholders. In addition, the Corporate Social Responsibility & Belonging teams support the company’s environmental and social commitments with a strong focus on pets, people and the planet.  The collective team supports the overall success and positive reputation of the company.  

Collaborative & Flexible Work Environment: We believe in fostering growth, teamwork and creativity in a dynamic workplace. This role is based at PetSmart’s Phoenix Home Office, where associates currently enjoy the benefits of in-person collaboration while having the flexibility to work remotely one day per week (a “flex workday” with leader approval), and an expected four days in the office. At PetSmart, you’ll be part of an engaging and supportive environment designed to help you and our teams thrive.

SUMMARY

Reporting to the Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, this job is responsible for providing strategic guidance and support to management and human resources professionals on routine and complex labor and employment matters as well as managing employment litigation matters.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as point of contact to human resources and provide SME support to operations on labor and employment matters in the US.
• Provide advice and counsel to management and HR professionals on all aspects of day-to-day employment-related matters, including hiring and termination issues, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, reasonable accommodations, leaves of absence, wage and hour issues, restrictive covenants, employee investigations.
• Review legislative trends and remain up to date on changes in the law to proactively advise the business.
• Conducts research on legal matters, drafts legal memoranda, and provides legal advice to the
• Investigate and represent the company at the federal and state administrative level (EEOC, DOL and state and local analogue agencies).  Prepare position statements coordinating with outside counsel, where appropriate.
• Manage employment litigation, develop strategy, facilitate discovery, consult on key decisions.
• Represent the Company in mediations and negotiate settlement agreements.
• Develop, provide, and deliver proactive training to Human Resources professionals and business leaders on a wide variety of employment law matters.
• Manage outside counsel resources and legal fees in accordance with budgetary commitments and an eye towards lowering PetSmart legal fees. 

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university required.
• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school required.
• Admitted to a state Bar with in-house admission in Arizona.
• Minimum of 5 years related and relevant experience required.  
• Must be able to balance business needs and corporate goals within the appropriate legal framework and with a large emphasis on compliance.
• Must possess excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Must provide strategic high-level legal counsel as a partner to senior business leaders and Human Resources professionals.
• Must possess good business judgment and effective interpersonal skills.
• Must be able to prioritize and manage numerous matters simultaneously.
• Prior in-house experience preferred, but not required.

Preferred experience:

• Prior experience defending wage and hour class actions as outside or in-house counsel (in California and/or elsewhere in the U.S.)
• Labor experience.
• Prior experience advising internal clients on compliance and risk mitigation for wage and hour exposure (in California and/or elsewhere in the U.S.)
• Retail experience a plus.

At PetSmart, we work hard to create a culture where every associate feels like they truly belong and we celebrate the unique stories, backgrounds, and experiences our associates share.  These experiences not only bring new perspectives in shaping our Belonging culture but they’re core to PetSmart’s success.

Not sure if you meet 100% of the position requirements and whether you should apply? We’d still like to hear from you and encourage you to apply with us! You just may be the ideal candidate for this role, and if not this one, perhaps another position.

Our home office offers outstanding amenities in a fun and rewarding workplace including:

• Pet friendly environment, bring your pets to work!
• On-site Dog Park
• “Top Dog” gym with equipment, fitness classes, massage therapists and personal trainers
• “Sit & Stay” Café serving fresh breakfast and lunch options
• On-site coffee bar
• “Lil’ Paws” learning center and onsite daycare facility (associate paid)
• Volunteer events with PetSmart Charities
• Learn more about #LifeAtPetSmart here: https://www.lifeatpetsmart.com/life-at-petsmart/
• Check out Associate stories and share in some celebrations at PetSmart: https://www.blog.lifeatpetsmart.com/
• Explore PetSmart Benefits here: https://benefits.petsmart.com/
• If you don't already live in the Phoenix area here's a guide to the area:  Welcome to Phoenix Guide

PetSmart provides an equal opportunity for all associates and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other legally protected characteristics.