Associate Counsel - Employment & Labor

Overview

Natural Grocers is seeking an experienced Associate Counsel – Employment & Labor to join our in-house legal team. This role will provide practical, business-oriented legal guidance on employment law, labor relations, and workforce management across our growing multi-state retail operations. You will partner closely with Human Resources and Operations leadership to support a compliant, values-driven workplace while proactively managing risk and advancing our Five Founding Principles.

Responsibilities

• Advise HR, operations, and leadership on day-to-day employment law and labor relations matters, including discipline, terminations, accommodations, and wage and hour issues.
• Manage the Company's response to EEOC charges, employment claims, and litigation, including facilitating internal investigations, preparation of position statements, and oversight of outside counsel.
• Counsel the business on compliance with federal and state employment, anti-discrimination and wage and hour laws (e.g., Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FLSA, FMLA).
• Provide guidance to management on labor issues, compliance with the NLRA, union organizing campaigns, and labor matters before state agencies and the NLRB.
• Develop and deliver training for HR and field leadership on employment and labor law compliance.
• Draft and advise on employment policies, handbooks, and internal procedures.
• Monitor legal developments and provide proactive, actionable guidance to the business.
• Review and negotiate commercial contracts and provide general commercial legal support, as needed.
• Partner with teams across the organization to promote practical, risk-balanced decision-making.
• Although this is a general outline of job responsibilities all employees are expected to be "hands on" and do whatever it takes to get the job done and make the company thrive.

Qualifications

• J.D degree from an ABA accredited law school and an active state attorney registration.
• Minimum of five years of relevant law firm or in-house experience.
• Highly organized and able to meet and beat deadlines while managing multiple competing priorities.
• Extremely proficient at independently identifying and addressing important details.
• Excellent analytical and research skills and the ability to independently arrive at well-reasoned recommendations.
• Excellent writing and communication skills, with the ability to concisely convey complex legal concepts into plain English consistently in accordance with sound principles of grammar and usage.
• Positive attitude and commitment to excellent customer service to support our stores.
• Integrity and commitment to handling confidential matters with utmost discretion.
• Highly proficient with Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel, and excellent aptitude for learning and using new technologies designed to increase efficiency and eliminate duplicative efforts.
• The ideal candidate will have direct experience (i) representing clients before in NLRB and EEOC matters, and (ii) defending employment litigation in state and federal court.

Pay

USD $135,000.00/Yr. - USD $145,000.00/Yr.