Senior Manager Employment & Litigation

AvalonBay Communities, Inc., an equity REIT, has a long-term track record of developing, redeveloping, acquiring and managing distinctive apartment homes in some of the best U.S. markets, and delivering outsized, risk-adjusted returns to shareholders. With equal parts experience and vision, we’ve established a leadership position rooted in our purpose of creating a better way to live and that is always focused on building value for the long term.

Creating a better way to live is the purpose that binds AvalonBay associates. We take that purpose seriously and expect you will as well. By focusing on collaboration, innovation, and taking ownership of our choices and actions, we act in ways that focus on creating value for our customers, investors and associates. Your positive, professional, and consistent personal interactions make AvalonBay a great place to work.

The Role

The Senior Manager, Employment and Litigation Counsel primarily provides support to the Senior Director, Litigation and Operations Counsel and SVP & Associate General Counsel and serves as a key resource for human resources and various operating groups throughout the Company. This attorney will manage the day-to-day aspects of administrative charges and litigation matters, and provide practical employment law counseling to business partners across the organization. This attorney will interact with associates of all levels throughout the Company.

Key Responsibilities

• Advise HR and business leaders on employment and labor law matters, including compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws. Partner closely with human resources to provide proactive guidance on employee relations issues, policy development, and emerging legal requirements
• Take a hands-on approach in all facets of litigation, including overseeing and supervising outside counsel in conducting discovery, depositions, mediations, case strategy, legal briefs, expert reports, settlements, and trials
• Collaborate with the Senior Director, Litigation and Operations Counsel on overall strategy and case direction. Manage budgeting and legal spend for litigation matters
• Conduct and support internal investigations and provide recommendations based on findings
• Take on new and evolving areas of responsibility as business needs arise, demonstrating curiosity and adaptability in addressing emerging legal issues and supporting the department's changing priorities
• Assist with other matters, including compliance matters and contract review.
• Maintain an in-office presence to enhance collaboration with HR and other teams and travel up to 10%

Qualifications & Skills

• J.D. with excellent credentials from an ABA accredited, nationally recognized law school
• A minimum of five (5) years of legal practice experience at a reputable law firm and/or corporate inhouse legal department
• Substantial experience in employment law including advising business partners on compliance with employment laws and regulations. California employment law experience preferred
• Demonstrated experience managing the day-to-day aspects of litigation, including case strategy, ediscovery, depositions, substantive briefs, experts, mediations, and settlements. Trial experience preferred
• Experience researching and advising on statutes and regulations, reviewing and revising contracts, and directly advising lay persons and businesspeople
• Experience in labor law is a plus but not required
• Experience in consumer-facing regulatory compliance and/or housing law is a plus. Key Attributes
• Ability to work and collaborate with varied constituencies (management, business unit leaders, associates throughout the organization, outside counsel) with strong people (client service) skills
• Excellent organizational skills, ability to work independently and proactively, multi-task, prioritize workload, and meet deadlines in a dynamic work environment where no two days are the same
• Skilled communicator with clear, concise writing and speaking abilities, able to simplify legal concepts into actionable business guidance
• Have a “roll up your sleeves” approach and mindset
• Collaborative and a true team player
• Intellectually curious, demonstrates enthusiasm for learning new areas, performing independent research, and communicating findings and recommendations. Thrives on challenge, eager to leverage core strengths while embracing opportunities to broaden legal expertise
• Comfortable managing multiple litigation matters simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail and strategic thinking

Bar: Active bar membership in good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction, with an ability to obtain a corporate counsel license to practice in Virginia within the first year of employment.

How AvalonBay Supports You

Additional Info

AvalonBay is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an inclusive and diverse work environment free of discrimination and harassment. We believe that in order to achieve our purpose of creating a better way to live, we must recruit, develop and retain associates with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives and create an environment that encourages all voices to be heard, understood and appreciated. With this we know we can do great things.

AvalonBay makes employment decisions without regard to a person’s race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation or related medical conditions), age, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including characteristics or testing), citizenship status, military or veteran status, or any other status protected by the law.

For California residents, if you elect to apply to AvalonBay you accept the AvalonBay California Personnel Privacy Notice (https://www.avaloncommunities.com/california-personnel-privacy-notice/)