Associate General Counsel, Litigation

Company Description

Pilot Company is an industry-leading network of travel centers with more than 30,000 team members and over 750 retail and fueling locations in 44 states and six Canadian provinces. Our energy and logistics division serves as a top supplier of fuel, employing one of the largest tanker fleets and providing critical services to oil operations in our nation's busiest basins. Pilot Company supports a growing portfolio of brands with expertise in supply chain and retail operations, logistics and transportation, technology and digital innovation, construction, maintenance, human resources, finance, sales and marketing.

Founded in 1958 by Jim A. Haslam II and currently led by CEO Adam Wright, our founding values, people-first culture and commitment to giving back remains true to us today. Whether we are serving guests, a fellow team member, or a trucking company, we are dedicated to fueling people and keeping North America moving.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Military encouraged to apply.

Job Description

The purpose of this position is to assist in the management of all labor and employment disputes impacting the company. This role is responsible for supervising labor and employment matters, to include pre-litigation, administrative (i.e., EEOC, DOL, etc.), litigation, and immigration issues, as well as advising the business on labor and employment questions as they arise. This role will embrace and support these efforts by working to resolve disputes as appropriate through negotiation, arbitration or litigation. This will include managing all phases of labor and employment litigation matters from the investigation, pleadings and discovery through the pre-trial, trial, settlement and appeal processes. Primary areas of focus to include: managing litigation including conferring with outside counsel, developing litigation strategy, determining settlement value, and facilitating outside counsel in responding to discovery requests, analyzing and responding to or drafting demand letters, cease and desist letters, and other similar correspondence, facilitating compliance with regulatory requirements, and responding to or assisting in the response to regulatory complaints. 

1. Responsible for litigation management, including oversight of outside counsel, developing and implementing litigation strategy on labor and employment litigation matters and working with various business units to provide risk assessments and reduce litigation exposure
2. Assist in the direction and management of a complex and varied litigation portfolio, including affirmative and defensive litigations and administrative proceedings
3. Coordinate litigation discovery, including litigation hold compliance, collection of responsive documents, interviews, depositions, interrogatories, etc.
4. Where necessary, conducting internal investigations and fact development, including working with witnesses
5. Provide pre-litigation counseling and handle dispute resolution negotiations
6. Respond to demand letters and agency matters, including government-initiated inquiries and audits
7. Develop strategies and implement plans to resolve any disputes involving the company
8. Assist with selecting, retaining and managing outside counsel, establish and manage budgets and control costs
9. Advise company management as necessary with respect to litigation matters, including with respect to loss reserves
10. Provide training and education regarding labor and employment matters across the organization, as needed
11. Work in close partnership with colleagues in the Legal Department and business partners across the company, to achieve good business and legal results and facilitate smart risk-taking
12. Identify trends and emerging issues, and analyze new legislation, regulations and court decisions impacting the company’s operations
13. Contribute to Legal team efforts to improve internal process and efficiency
14. Instruct and supervise paralegals in preparing subpoena responses, discovery, correspondence, and other documents
15. Model behaviors that support the company’s common purpose; ensure guests and team members are supported at the highest level
16. Ensure all activities are in compliance with rules, regulations, policies, and procedures
17. Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications

• A Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited college or university, required
• License to practice law in the state of Tennessee or registration with the Tennessee Board of Law Examiners if not licensed in the state of Tennessee
• Minimum seven (7) years’ prior experience working in a law firm or other corporate legal setting is required
• Knowledge of litigation process and practice and experience in litigation practice
• Experience drafting and revising legal documents and preparing policies and procedures
• Knowledge of labor employment law
• Intermediate Microsoft Office skills
• Commitment to conducting Pilot’s litigation and business affairs with the highest integrity, including strict adherence to applicable laws but also in a manner consistent with the company’s values
• Willingness to learn the business and build strong relationships with internal stakeholders
• Ability to make recommendations and difficult decisions to implement best practices
• Ability to work constructively, collaboratively and cross functionally
• Strong oral and written communication and advocacy skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Sound judgment and ability to analyze situations and information
• Detail-oriented with excellent organizational skills
• Practical and enthusiastic problem-solver who is confident, flexible and calm and under fire
• Time management and ability to prioritize in a fast-paced environment while working autonomously
• Legal research capabilities with attention to detail
• Ability to demonstrate confidence, professionalism and assertiveness in complex and challenging circumstances
• Ability to think strategically
• Positive, team-first attitude and high emotional intelligence. No job is too big or too small.

Additional Information

• Travel required less than 25%
• General office work requiring sitting or standing for long periods of time