Important Application Submission Information
In order to ensure your application is successfully received before the job posting expires, please submit your application by 11:59 PM on Sunday, March 22, 2026Build an exciting, rewarding career with us – help us make a difference for millions of people every day. Consider joining the Duke Energy team, where you'll find a friendly work environment, opportunities for growth and development, recognition for your work, and competitive pay and benefits.
Position Summary
The HR Legal group seeks to prevent issues from escalating by providing proactive advice and counsel on compliance with labor and employment laws. The group also seeks to ensure that workplace disputes are defensible when litigation does arise, and to resolve matters raised in administrative agency proceedings, arbitrations, negotiations, and other means outside of litigation. HR Legal is a trusted partner with the business at a strategic level while handling a high volume of daily workload with minimal use of outside counsel.
Responsibilities include:
Provide labor and employment law advice to HR and management regarding matters of complexity which may have a significant dollar impact on business operations
Perform complex assignments and draft legal documents, using legal research, analytical and writing skills
Handles administrative agency matters and represents the Company at arbitration hearings, including witness examination and post-hearing briefs.
Establish and develop effective working relationships with internal and external clients and stakeholders
Coordinates and collaborates on litigation and/or regulatory matters that have various areas of overlap within the business
Advice and counsel on compliance matters relevant to labor and employment law matters at all levels of the organization.
Tactical and strategic Proactive training and strategic guidance to HR, management and leadership across the company on developments in employment and labor law.
Collaborate with Legal team members on matters that have labor and employment issues to advise the business units, develop strategies to address and/or mitigate legal risk.
Working Conditions
Local and overnight travel no more than 20% of the time
Position may be located in Cincinnati, OH or Charlotte, NC
Basic/Required Qualifications
Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from an accredited law school
Minimum of seven (7) years minimum of related experience practicing labor and employment law
Licensed to practice law in Ohio and/or Kentucky if located in Cincinnati, OH or North Carolina if located in Charlotte, NC or Licensed to practice in any state in the US and eligible for comity
Desired Qualifications
7-10 years of experience in labor and employment law, with preference for demonstrated traditional labor law and defense experience
Experience with internal investigations, administrative agency charges (EEOC, DOL, state administrative agencies, NLRB, etc.), management training, attorney demand letters, labor arbitrations, collective bargaining negotiations and contract interpretation, work stoppage planning, contingent workers and security issues
Prior litigation background is preferred
Excellent analytical and communication skills (verbally and in writing) and ability to effectively collaborate in a team environment, take ownership of projects, and demonstrate independence needed to effectively and timely complete projects.
Ability to draft documents, correspondence, memos and policies in a concise manner.
Strong, effective communication and interpersonal skills
Self-motivated, organized, detailed oriented and committed to assisting Duke Energy meet the enterprise’s labor and employment and compliance needs.
Must have advanced breadth and depth of practical and academic knowledge of federal and state employment laws/regulations, with demonstrated working knowledge of issues related to the EEOC, FLSA, FMLA, NLRB, ADEA, OFCCP, ADA, Title VII, WARN, discrimination and equal pay claims.
Sound judgment and decision-making skills and substantial experience delivering advice and counsel to business unit clients, including HR.
Must possess ability to collaborate as an effective member of the team
Excellent work product and attention to detail
Ability to travel as needed.
Additional Preferred Qualifications
Ability to take initiative and work independently
Ability to manage multiple complex matters simultaneously
Ability to build consensus
Has attained all competencies of subordinate role(s)
Promotion to this level is not automatic and is based on the level of work activities needed to be performed by the department, incumbent job performance, and work experience. Generally, attorneys will serve in the Sr. Counsel role for a minimum of 2 years prior to being considered for promotion to AGC. (Minimum of 7 years of applicable work experience and approval of CLO)
Working Conditions
Hybrid – Work will be performed from both remote and onsite locations after the onboarding period. However, hybrid employees should live within a reasonable commute to their designated Duke Energy facility.
Travel Requirements
15-25%