About the Role

An established law firm in Chicago is looking for a skilled Labor Attorney with 6‑8 years of experience in traditional labor law (unionized workplace environments). This is a full‑role opportunity (either in private practice at a firm, or with equivalent experience in government agencies like the NLRB, ILRB, IELRB, or working in‑house with unions) to handle comprehensive labor‑management relations matters.

You’ll advise employers (or possibly unions, depending on the candidate) through collective bargaining, grievance processing, representation and unfair labor practice proceedings, contract enforcement and interpretation, and related litigation or proceedings. If you’ve worked on the “other side” (union side) – that’s a big plus.

Key Responsibilities

• Negotiate collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) including contract drafts, proposals, counter‑proposals, and contract ratification.
• Handle grievance administration: review, investigate, mediate, represent through arbitration or other remedies.
• Represent clients before public labor boards (e.g., NLRB, Illinois Labor Relations Board, Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board) in representation elections, unfair labor practice charges, or compliance matters.
• Interpret, enforce, and advise on collective bargaining agreement provisions and related employment policies.
• Provide strategic counsel to leadership / management / union leadership on labor law issues (e.g., union organizing, bargaining strategy, labor litigation).
• Conduct trainings for management/unions on labor law topics, rights & obligations under CBAs, grievance & arbitration process, labor relations best practices.
• Monitor legislative, regulatory and judicial developments in labor law (federal, state, local) and ensure client compliance.
• Manage labor‐management communications and dispute resolution processes proactively.

Required Qualifications

• 6‑8 years of experience in labor law / labor‑management relations.
• Significant experience with collective bargaining and grievance/arbitration procedures.
• Experience with, or substantial knowledge of, public labor boards/regulatory agencies (e.g. NLRB, ILRB, IELRB) or working in union legal counsel or inhouse for a union.
• Strong litigation, advocacy, drafting, negotiation and oral argument skills.
• Solid judgment, ability to advise both proactively (prevent disputes) and reactively (manage real disputes).
• Excellent communication skills, ability to simplify complex legal provisions for non‐lawyers.
• Ability to manage multiple matters, balancing pressure, deadlines, and shifting priorities.

Preferred Extras

• Experience “on the other side” (union side) or switching sides (employer ↔︎ union) is particularly desirable.
• Prior firm experience in labor law boutique or general practice where labor/management relations is a major component.
• Illinois specific experience (regulations, case law, board proceedings).
• Experience in both private and public sector labor relations.
• Strong network in labor law circles / familiarity with Illinois statutory/regulatory environment.

What’s Attractive About This Role

• A high‐impact role: you’ll be working on full spectrum of labor issues.
• Opportunity to shape strategy across CBAs, grievance/arbitration systems, regulatory compliance.
• Potential to take leadership in major negotiations or high-profile disputes.
• Collaborative environment with experienced peers and potential to grow.