Sr. Counsel, Employment Litigation

About the role

Sr. Counsel, Employment Litigation | Tesla (Legal & Government Affairs)

Location: AUSTIN, Texas | Req ID: 279518 | Job Type: Full-time

What to Expect

Tesla is looking for an experienced litigation attorney to join our employment law team. The Sr. Counsel, Employment Litigation will represent and defend Tesla in all aspects of employment-related litigation matters.

As a member of Tesla’s fun and fast-paced Legal Department, this attorney will be responsible for handling primarily single plaintiff employment disputes and related litigation matters with the assistance of a paralegal. Key to this role will be significant employment litigation and arbitration experience, with a focus on California practice.

What You'll Do

• Represent and defend Tesla in all aspects of employment-related litigation matters, including: FEHA, Title VII and similar laws; disability access and accommodation; harassment and discrimination; wage and hour claims; wrongful terminations; and reductions in force
• Respond to complaints and other pleadings, draft and file motions to compel arbitration in California state and federal courts, propound and respond to discovery requests, prepare and file motions, appear in court, and represent Tesla at hearings, mediations, trials and arbitrations
• Prepare witnesses for deposition and trial
• Negotiate for the dismissal or resolution of cases at all stages in the litigation process
• Maintain knowledge of current and emerging laws, regulations and trends related to California employment and labor laws
• Report out to colleagues on proactive approaches to mitigating legal risk gleaned from litigation matters and facilitate Tesla’s ongoing compliance with applicable federal, state, and local labor and employment laws (FLSA, Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FEHA, OFCCP, etc.)

What You'll Bring

• Licensed attorney with 7-plus years experience in California litigation (state and federal court) – California Bar Admission required
• Experience in employment defense litigation at a law firm or government agency, including initial case assessment, strategy development, propounding and responding to discovery, drafting motions, mediation, arbitration, and court trials
• Possess an entrepreneurial mindset and take active ownership of your areas of responsibility. Capable of working both autonomously and collaboratively, effective at juggling and prioritizing multiple competing tasks in a fast-paced, challenging environment
• A quick and flexible learner: intellectually curious, open-minded, adaptable, comfortable with ambiguity and risk, and excited by dynamic change
• Adept at and comfortable making complex cost/benefit assessments
• Inspire trust, forge relationships quickly, and earn the confidence and cooperation of your business partners. High standards, impeccable integrity and ethics, unquestionable good judgment, well-honed analytical skills

Benefits

Along with competitive pay, as a full-time Tesla employee, you are eligible for the following benefits at day 1 of hire:

• Medical plans > plan options with $0 payroll deduction
• Family-building, fertility, adoption and surrogacy benefits
• Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plans, both have options with a $0 paycheck contribution
• Company Paid (Health Savings Accounts) HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High-Deductible medical plan with HSA
• Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• 401(k) with employer match, Employee Stock Purchase Plans, and other financial benefits
• Company paid Basic Life, AD&D
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance (90 day waiting period)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Sick and Vacation time (Flex time for salary positions, Accrued hours for Hourly positions), and Paid Holidays
• Back-up childcare and parenting support resources
• Voluntary benefits to include: critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, theft & legal services, and pet insurance
• Weight Loss and Tobacco Cessation Programs
• Tesla Babies program
• Commuter benefits
• Employee discounts and perks program
• Earned Wage Access: Real-time pay access paid daily, subject to eligibility and schedule (applicable for below Sr. Managers levels)