Company Overview

Wherever you work and whatever role you fill, when you represent the Bridgestone name you know that you are a valued teammate who is part of our larger mission to “Serve Society with Superior Quality.” We start by offering each teammate more than just a salary. We provide formal training, competitive performance incentives, paid vacation and holidays, healthcare packages for full-time and part-time employees, and a 401k plan to help build your future.

We believe people can only provide superior service and quality to others when they are allowed to bring their whole selves to work and know they are supported. We believe in championing all perspectives, individuals and teams because we understand the importance of seeing the world and our business through many different lenses. We are building a team as diverse as the world we serve. So, show us what you’re made of. Show us the smart stuff, the tough stuff, the bold, beautiful and brave stuff. Because who you are is what we need.

Bridgestone Americas, Inc. is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee and is the U.S. subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation headquartered in Japan. Bridgestone Americas and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand products to address the needs of a broad range of customers and industries.

Job Category

Legal, Compliance & Audit

Position Summary

As the Assistant General Counsel for Labor & Employment Counsel, you will join a nimble, collegial team of L&E professionals who support Bridgestone Americas and its subsidiaries. You will partner cross-functionally across geographies and be primarily responsible for providing legal advice and counsel to ensure employment law compliance at the federal and state level. We support the Company by proactively preventing and efficiently resolving employment law matters in a way that supports our organizational values, employees and business objectives.

Responsibilities

• Providing legal advice and counsel and partnering with our Human Resources teams on a broad range of labor and employment law matters including, but not limited to, the hiring process, compensation, employee relations, background checks, discipline and termination, diversity and inclusion, accommodations and leaves of absence

• Proactively monitoring legislation, regulations, governmental orders, and emerging trends in Employment law and helping to ensure our continued compliance with local, state, and federal laws

• Coordinating with our Human Resources partners and relevant business units to timely identify and implement recommended policies and practices

• Investigating and responding to agency charges, claims and demand letters

• Independently handling employment claims brought through Bridgestone’s alternative dispute resolution plan, including drafting mediation statements, handling mediations and negotiating legal settlements

• Engaging outside counsel in an effective and cost-efficient manner and managing litigation

• Providing internal clients with an informed understanding of legal obligations and risks

• Developing and fostering relationships with the business and Human Resources function and staying abreast of business goals and objectives, and

• Traveling as needed to attend mediations and conduct trainings

• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Minimum Qualifications

• Typically requires a minimum of 8 working years of related experience with a bachelor’s degree; or 6 years and a master’s degree; or a PhD with 3 years of experience; or equivalent work experience

• A minimum of seven (7) years of professional law practice experience (law firm and/or in house), preferably with primary focus in Labor & Employment law

• J.D. from an accredited law school

• License to practice law and in good standing in any U.S. state

• Demonstrated knowledge of, experience in, or strong interest in all aspects of employment law

• Excellent communication skills, oral and written, with the ability to synthesize complex legal issues to their essential elements

• Demonstrated experience, comfort and confidence to interact and relate well within a legal department, and build trusting relationships with HR and the senior leadership of Bridgestone’s operating units and subsidiaries

• Demonstrated ethics and integrity, with clear understanding and adherence to ethical principles, company values, code of conduct, and policies. The L&E Assistant General Counsel must walk the talk in terms of integrity and courage and candor, as well as active listening with a variety of corporate functions

• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex legal issues, measure legal risk, and communicate guidance to management

• The ability to supervise and manage outside counsel

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (“DE&I”)

Bridgestone Americas promotes a culture of diversity and inclusion through a variety of Employee Resource Groups (“ERGs”), which bring teammates and allies together based on shared characteristics, life experiences, and interests. You can find information on our ERGs at https://www.bebridgestone.com/en_us/working-at-bridgestone/employee-resource-groups.

The Law Department launched a DE&I initiative in 2020 that complements company-wide DE&I efforts. Currently, department teammates participate in four DEI-related committees focused on outside counsel engagement, internship programs, and inclusion. The Law Department is Mansfield Rule certified, participates in Diversity Lab's pilot Diversity Dividend Initiative, and is a member of the National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firm (NAMWOLF)'s Inclusion Initiative Program.

Ethics & Compliance

Each member of the Law Department plays a key role in operationalizing the global and regional ethics and compliance program. This will include, among other things, engaging leadership in the client groups you support; identifying and managing risks facing your client groups (including third party risks); ensuring policies, standards and controls are effective and in place; conducting trainings and finding other ways to ensure your client groups understand what they are expected and required to do; and, conducting investigations relating to your client groups.

• This job description reflects the skills, qualifications and experiences that have been identified as ideal for this role. A candidate who meets some of the characteristics listed here and has a passion for learning, however, can succeed in this position. If you have some of these key skills, qualifications, and experiences and are willing to learn, then you are encouraged to apply.

Bridgestone is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. It is our policy to consider for employment all individuals regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Employment Eligibility

If hired, a Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification must be completed at the start of employment. Temporary work authorization or the need for sponsorship may disqualify you from employment.