Location: Victor,NY, USA
The Cooper Companies, Inc. ( Cooper ) is a global medical device company publicly traded on the NASDAQ (NASDAQCOO). Cooper operates through two business units, CooperVision and CooperSurgical. CooperVision brings a refreshing perspective on vision care with a commitment to developing a wide range of high-quality products for contact lens wearers and providing focused practitioner support. CooperSurgical is committed to advancing the health of women, babies and families with its diversified portfolio of products and services focusing on medical devices and fertility & genomics.
Job Summary:
This role will report to the Senior Director of Labor Law & Litigation. This role includes proactive management of employment-related investigations, claims and litigation for all CooperCompanies operations and implementation of litigation strategies in alignment with company mission and objectives. The role requires a self-starter who is able to work both independently and collaboratively and can perform and deliver results in line with the Legal Department's Mission of delivering effective, efficient and innovative legal support to the global Cooper organization.
* As part of the CooperCompanies legal team, manage and oversee all phases of employment-related claims, litigation and dispute resolution processes, including investigation, discovery, pre- and post- proceeding written submissions, preparation of witnesses for testimony, direct and cross-examination of witnesses, oral arguments, litigation and appeals.
* Handle charges, legal demand letters and other employment-related disputes independently.
* Conduct directly, oversee or assist with investigations, including investigation design and management.
* Collaborate with other legal team members to provide preventive, proactive legal advice and solutions to internal clients and legal colleagues on a broad range of employment practice topics including, but not limited to, discrimination, harassment, performance, discipline and separations, leaves of absence and accommodations, recruiting, hiring, benefits, wage and hour issues, compensation, employment-related contracts, severance agreements, and labor relations issues.
* Prepare legal documents such as attorney correspondence, notices of claim, settlement agreements, general releases, a wide variety of reports, and litigation documents.
* Serve as a company representative for various proceedings, which may include in-person attendance at depositions, trials, motions, arbitrations, mediations, agency and/or regulator proceedings.
* Analyze risk exposure and provide counsel on proactive strategies to manage or mitigate risks and claims in a cost-effective manner.
* Serve as a liaison to key business contacts, legal team members, and internal witnesses with respect to the progress of litigated matters.
* Draft regular, clear communications and development updates.
* Prepare evaluations of settlement demands and make well-supported recommendations.
* Support, instruct and manage external counsel, where required, to maximize efficient use of external counsel and ensure external counsel has all necessary resources and information to execute assignments.
* Effectively manage litigation expenses, ensure compliance with applicable insurance reporting guidelines and outside counsel requirements.
* Deliver or assist in delivering training and communications regarding litigation management protocols, evidence preservation, risk management, and other relevant legal issues.
* Drive efficiencies and cost reduction in investigative matter management, including budgeting for external counsel and forensic/discovery-related needs.
Travel:
This role may involve travel to the company's operations within North America, and more rarely, around the world, depending on the needs of the business. Travel is not expected to exceed 15% of the position.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
* Knowledgeable in federal and state level employment and labor law cases; knowledge of Canadian (provincial and federal) employment law and familiarity with global employment laws will be a distinct advantage.
* High level of sophistication in designing claim management strategy, investigation design, execution and management, claim analysis and valuation, dispute resolution procedures, and litigation.
* Background in medical devices, pharmaceutical or health care industry is preferable, though not essential.
* Ability to navigate technical and scientific disciplines, and to work effectively with subject matter experts.
* Excellent communication and research skills, including detail-oriented effective writing, clear public speaking, and ability to quickly establish trust and credibility in interactions with people.
* Understanding of financial documents, accounting for attorneys, and budgeting.
* Positive attitude, flexibility, professionalism, sound judgment and integrity.
* Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize multiple projects and internal client demands.
* Effective time management and delivery of on-time results to meet deadlines.
* Collaborative approach to working with a wide range of other disciplines, often across regions and time zones.
* Excellent business acumen, ability to think strategically and formulate concrete recommendations.
* Strong skills and comfort level in full range of computer programs such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and ability to quickly adapt to customized software for various functions.
* Bilingual/multilingual skills not essential, but an asset.
* Cultural competency in a wide variety of situations.
* Possession of (or ability to secure) a valid passport or the equivalent credentials in order to travel internationally.
Work Environment:
* Prolonged sitting in front of a computer and using the telephone/conference facilities.
* Majority of time is spent in typical office environment, although intermittently, the role may include other types of work environments, such as manufacturing, distribution, and research facilities, as well as attendance in venues for legal proceedings such as courthouses, agency locations, or mediation centers.
* This is not a remote position. The position may be fully based or hybrid based in Victor, New York.
Experience:
* At least seven years of experience in working in an in-house environment, large law firm, or combination with a broad range of experience in litigation, labor and employment law, and employee investigations.
* Litigation experience must involve direct representation of a client in proceedings such as motions, discovery, trial, and/or alternative dispute resolution forums.
* Track record of conflict resolution experience, including direct settlement negotiation. Completion of conflict resolution training or certification program is a plus.
* Proven expertise in managing complex, sensitive and/or high-risk employment-related investigations.
* Experience in handling internal and external investigations, including responding to government inquiries.
* Substantial experience drafting and negotiating contracts for complex employee situations.
* Experience with insurance policies and complying with insurer procedures and reporting requirements.
* Demonstrated commitment to developing and maintaining a positive and collegial, team-oriented environment.
Education:
* Admitted and in good standing to practice as an attorney in the United States (and/or another jurisdiction in which the person can qualify for registration as an in-house counsel)
* Juris Doctorate received from an accredited law school (or similar degree from an educational institution outside of the United States).
* Bachelor's Degree from an accredited four-year university (or similar degree from an educational institution outside of the United States).
Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran
For U.S. locations that require disclosure of compensation, the starting base pay for this role is between $140,848.00 and $187,797.00 per year and may include cost of living adjustments. The actual base pay includes many factors and is subject to change and modification in the future. This position may also be eligible for other types of compensation and benefits.
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