Associate General Counsel - Kansas City (Hybrid)

This is a hybrid position based in Kansas City, Missouri.

About the Role

The Associate General Counsel - Special Projects, Governance & Strategic Initiatives serves as a key member of the Office of the General Counsel, working closely with the Chief Legal Officer, Deputy General Counsel, and other leaders on the firm's governance, strategic, operational, and risk-related initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Independently handle complex and sensitive matters involving overlapping legal, business, operational, governance, and reputational considerations.
• Exercise sound judgment and manage significant projects with limited supervision.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to firm leadership.
• Partner with the Chief Legal Officer and Deputy General Counsels on strategic projects affecting the firm and its affiliates.
• Lead complex initiatives involving firm expansion, organizational changes, business integrations, and other significant operational initiatives.
• Coordinate and manage outside counsel, consultants, accountants, and other advisors as needed.
• Develop implementation plans, identify legal and operational risks, and drive projects through completion.
• Assist in evaluating emerging legal, business, and regulatory issues that may impact the firm.
• Assist with matters involving financially distressed clients, bankruptcies, receiverships, assignments for the benefit of creditors, and similar situations.

Corporate Governance and Corporate Secretary Support

• Support the firm's corporate governance functions and assist the Deputy General Counsel in his role as Corporate Secretary.
• Coordinate preparation of Board, shareholder, and committee materials.
• Assist with meeting agendas, resolutions, minutes, and governance records.
• Track corporate actions and governance approvals.
• Maintain and organize core governance documents, including Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, corporate resolutions, committee charters, governance policies, and shareholder records.
• Coordinate annual corporate filings and related compliance obligations.
• Support periodic review and modernization of governance documents and processes.
• Conduct research and analysis regarding fiduciary duties, governance standards, and corporate law developments affecting the firm.

Global Operations and International Legal Affairs

• Support the firm's international operations and global business initiatives.
• Assist with legal and governance matters involving international offices, affiliates, and related entities.
• Advise on organizational structures, ownership models, governance frameworks, and cross-border legal issues.
• Coordinate with local counsel in international jurisdictions.
• Assist with matters involving Swiss Verein structures, international affiliate relationships, international office openings and integrations, and cross-border regulatory and compliance issues.
• Maintain familiarity with the legal and operational challenges unique to multinational law firms and professional services organizations.

Knowledge Management and Institutional Infrastructure

• Draft and maintain playbooks, guidance documents, templates, and institutional resources.
• Identify opportunities to improve consistency, efficiency, and knowledge sharing within the department.
• Assist in documenting historical decisions, governance interpretations, and institutional practices.
• Promote continuity and succession planning through development of durable processes and reference materials.

Leadership and Strategic Support

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Chief Legal Officer and Deputy General Counsel on a broad range of legal and operational matters.
• Prepare executive-level analyses, briefing memoranda, presentations, and recommendations.
• Exercise independent judgment in managing sensitive and confidential matters.
• Develop trusted working relationships with firm leadership, shareholders, administrative leaders, and external advisors.

Requirements

• J.D. from an accredited law school; licensed and in good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction. Must reside in state where admitted.
• Minimum of 10 years of legal experience, with a demonstrated record of increasing responsibility.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects involving multiple stakeholders and competing interests.
• Experience advising boards of directors, management committees, or executive leadership teams.
• Prior experience in one or more of the following environments:
  • In-house legal department
  • Professional liability or risk management function
  • Corporate governance practice
  • Complex business transactions or restructuring

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience serving as a corporate secretary or regularly supporting corporate governance functions.
• Familiarity with multinational business organizations and cross-border legal issues.
• Experience working with international law firms, professional services organizations, Swiss Verein structures, global alliances, or similar business models.
• Familiarity with and openness to leveraging AI-driven and emerging technologies to enhance efficiency, client service, and legal work product.

About the Firm

Littler is the largest global employment and labor law practice in the world exclusively devoted to representing management. With more than 1,900 attorneys in over 100 offices worldwide, Littler serves as the single source solution provider to the global employer community. The firm has been litigating, mediating, and negotiating some of the most influential employment law cases and labor contracts on record for over 75 years. Littler’s commitment to labor and employment law helps clients navigate a complex business world with nuanced legal issues, building better solutions for their toughest challenges. With deep experience and resources that are local everywhere, Littler is fully focused on its clients. The firm fosters a culture that celebrates original thinking and leverages proprietary technology to deliver bold, groundbreaking innovation.

Benefits

We offer a generous benefits package to full-time and part-time employees working at least a 50% schedule. Benefits include:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans for you, your spouse/domestic partner, and children.
• A superior 401(k) plan.
• Ample time off programs.
• Mental health programs.
• Family building and caregiving support.
• Generous paid parental leave.
• Life insurance and disability insurance.
• A wellness program.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• An employee referral bonus program.