Legal Counsel

Rivaz is seeking an in-house Legal Counsel, Employment to provide practical employment law support to Rivaz and its subsidiaries.

This attorney will support the General Counsel and work directly with the Human Resources team on routine employee relations, employment documentation and policy matters. The role will also support internal investigations, terminations, wage and hour matters, leaves and accommodations, employment disputes and benefits-related matters.

This is a junior-level position designed for an attorney with 1 to 4 years of relevant experience who is prepared to take ownership of routine matters with appropriate supervision and escalation.

• Advise HR on recruiting, hiring, onboarding, performance management, disciplinary actions, employee transfers and separations.
• Review and draft offer letters, employment agreements, consulting agreements, performance improvement plans, disciplinary notices, termination documents and separation agreements.
• Help HR develop clear and consistent documentation supporting employment decisions.
• Identify matters requiring escalation to the General Counsel or outside employment counsel.

• Conduct initial assessments of employee complaints involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, workplace conduct and policy violations.
• Handle routine internal investigations, including preparing investigation plans, conducting interviews, reviewing documents and drafting findings.
• Advise HR on appropriate corrective actions and follow-up measures.
• Assist with demand letters, administrative charges, subpoenas, arbitrations and employment litigation.
• Coordinate document preservation, factual investigations, witness interviews and internal document collection.
• Work with outside employment counsel on litigation, significant investigations, high-risk terminations and specialized employment matters.
• Support responses to government agency inquiries, audits and investigations

• Advise on routine performance management, disciplinary actions and terminations.
• Review proposed employment actions for issues involving protected complaints, leaves, accommodations and other potential legal risks.
• Draft and negotiate routine separation and release agreements.
• Support reductions in force, reorganizations and other workforce changes.

• Advise on employee and independent contractor classification, exempt and nonexempt status, timekeeping, overtime, meal and rest periods and wage payment practices.
• Review job descriptions, compensation arrangements and HR procedures for potential wage and hour issues.
• Coordinate with HR on wage complaints, audits and corrective actions.
• Support HR in administering medical, parental, disability, workers’ compensation-related and other protected leaves.
• Assist with reasonable accommodation requests and the interactive process.
• Review related communications, documentation and return-to-work arrangements.

Support HR on routine employee benefits documentation, communications and vendor matters

• Draft and update employee handbook provisions, employment policies, HR procedures and employee notices.
• Monitor employment law developments and assist with related policy and process updates.
• Develop or support training for HR and managers on workplace conduct, investigations, performance management, accommodations and wage and hour practices.

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in good standing with the State Bar of California.
• 1 to 4 years of employment law experience at a law firm, in-house legal department, or a combination.
• Workin…