American Airlines

Director, Senior Attorney

American Airlines • $130K — $180K *
Fort Worth, TX 76137In-Person
Legal & Accounting
5 - 7 years of experience
5 days ago
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school and active member in good standing of at least one State bar.
  • 7+ years of labor and/or employment law experience, preferably from a national law firm or in-house position.
  • Strong command of employment and labor laws, especially regarding collective bargaining agreements.

Responsibilities

  • Provide strategic legal support to company leaders, ensuring compliance with employment and labor laws.
  • Act as a subject matter expert in labor and employment law, including the Railway Labor Act and Title VII.
  • Advise Labor Relations and People Business Partners on collective bargaining agreements and related issues.
  • Assist with the interpretation of contracts, grievances, and arbitrations, offering practical legal solutions.
  • Lead negotiations for labor agreements and arbitrations.
  • Oversee litigation management, partnering with outside counsel to ensure cost-effective strategies.
  • Manage outside counsel on various matters to align with the company's legal strategy.

Benefits

  • Travel Perks: Access to 365 destinations with family and friends on American Airlines.
  • Health Benefits: Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage from day one.
  • Wellness Programs: Resources and support for personal well-being.
  • 401(k) Program: Features employer contributions after one year.
  • Additional Benefits: Includes Employee Assistance Program, pet insurance, and discounts on various services.
Full Job Description
7/14/26

Location: DFW Headquarters Building 8 (DFW-SV08)
Cities: Fort Worth - TX
Requisition ID: 86324

Job Description

What you'll do

This list is intended to reflect the current job but there may be additional essential functions (and certainly non-essential job functions) that are not referenced.

  • Provides practical, compliant, and strategic legal support and counsel to Company leaders to ensure compliance with employment and labor laws
  • Functions as a labor and employment subject matter expert, including staying current in all applicable legal areas such as Railway Labor Act, Title VII, ADA, FMLA and state and local employment laws, including state and local wage and hour laws
  • Provides practical, compliant, and strategic legal advice and counsel to Labor Relations, People Business Partners, and Operations leadership on a full range of Railway Labor Act issues, including on administration of multiple collective bargaining agreements
  • Works closely with Labor Relations, People Business Partners, and Operations leadership on issues related to contract interpretation, grievances and arbitrations, and performance management, and assists the business with developing legally compliant, yet practical solutions to employment-related issues
  • Supports labor agreement negotiations
  • Serves as lead counsel in labor arbitrations
  • Strategically and in a cost-effective manner, manages and partners with outside counsel in litigation matters.
  • Oversees and manages outside counsel on some matters requiring external representation, ensuring alignment with AA legal strategy and cost effective performance


All you'll need for success

Minimum Qualifications - Education & Prior Job Experience

  • Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school, excellent academic record, and active member in good standing in at least one State bar
  • 7 years of successful experience practicing labor and/or employment law, preferably at a national law firm and/or in-house
  • Strong command of employment and labor laws, regulations, and best practices, including experience with collective bargaining agreements


Preferred Qualifications - Education & Prior Job Experience

  • Experience in collaborating with company executives, including People Business Partners, Labor Relations, and union leadership, in the context of a unionized workforce preferred
  • Experience handling or advising on grievance and arbitrations, first chair arbitration experience and experience with Railway Labor Act preferred


Skills, Licenses, and Certifications

  • Demonstrates the highest standards of ethics and integrity
  • Ability to translate complex legal concepts into clear and actionable guidance for non-lawyer clients
  • Ability to thrive under pressure in a fast-paced, changing, and complex environment
  • Ability to render persuasive, diplomatic, practical, and legally compliant advice in a timely fashion
  • Superior problem solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills, with ability to be highly meticulous and detail-oriented
  • Ability to influence through outstanding interpersonal skills, collaboration, and negotiation skills
  • Demonstrated ability to be flexible in rapidly changing conditions and priorities
  • Excellent written and verbal communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills with ability to handle complex topics comfortably and to interact effectively with all levels and colleagues across internal departments
  • Ability to travel independently, including overnight trips of varying duration
  • Commitment to diversity and inclusion and the ability to build and facilitate long-term relationships at all levels, both internally and externally
  • Ability to relocate, if not currently residing in the Dallas/Fort Worth area


What you'll get

Feel free to take advantage of all that American Airlines has to offer:
  • Travel Perks: Ready to explore the world? You, your family and your friends can reach 365 destinations on more than 6,800 daily flights across our global network.
  • Health Benefits: On day one, you'll have access to your health, dental, prescription and vision benefits to help you stay well. And that's just the start, we also offer virtual doctor visits, flexible spending accounts and more.
  • Wellness Programs: We want you to be the best version of yourself - that's why our wellness programs provide you with all the right tools, resources and support you need.
  • 401(k) Program: Available upon hire and, depending on the workgroup, employer contributions to your 401(k) program are available after one year.
  • Additional Benefits: Other great benefits include our Employee Assistance Program, pet insurance and discounts on hotels, cars, cruises and more

About American Airlines

US Airways provides international and domestic air transport in the United States. It is owned by the American Airlines Group. US Airways utilizes a fleet of 343 mainline jet aircrafts, along with 278 regional jet and turbo-prop aircrafts operated by contract and subsidiary airlines under the name US Airways Express. It was originally established as All American Aviation.It operates an airline network with 193 destinations in 24 countries in North America, South America, Europe, and the Middle East. It also operates the US Airways Shuttle, a US Airways brand which provides hourly service between Boston, New York City, and Washington, D.C.As of October 2013, US Airways employed 32,312 people worldwide and operated 3,028 daily flights.US Airways is a member of Oneworld, and it currently operates along with American Airlines as a result of a merge between the two holding companies of these airliners.US Airways was established in 1973. It operates hubs at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport, Philadelphia Inte...

American Airlines Careers

Join the dynamic team at American Airlines, a leader in global aviation and an innovator in the airline industry. With a wide range of job opportunities, American Airlines is the perfect place to advance your career, offering roles that cater to a variety of skills and professional interests. Work You’ll Do At American Airlines, you will be part of a team that is dedicated to providing world-class service and shaping the future of travel. Our employees enjoy a culture of collaboration and respect, where diversity and inclusion are celebrated. With American Airlines, you can contribute to a legacy of innovation and leadership in the skies. Transform Your Career American Airlines is not just a company; it's a community where you can grow your career through a robust suite of professional development and diversity training programs. Our leadership is committed to nurturing talent and recognizes the value of each individual’s growth. Join a team that leads with integrity and a passion for progress. At American Airlines, your career trajectory is bolstered by our commitment to innovation and excellence in the aviation industry. Internship Opportunities Kickstart your career with an internship at American Airlines. Gain invaluable industry experience, build your resume, and make connections that will propel your professional life. Our internships offer hands-on experience in a variety of departments, helping you discover your path in the aviation industry. Benefits of Working With Us American Airlines places immense value on the well-being of its team members. Employees enjoy competitive benefits including health, dental, and vision insurance, employee discounts, and flexible spending accounts. More than just perks, our benefits are designed to support your life, both at work and at home. Explore Job Opportunities Whether you’re looking to enhance your career in engineering, customer service, or leadership, American Airlines has a position that will match your skills and passions. We are continuously hiring and looking for motivated individuals who are ready to take their careers to new heights. Stay Connected Join Our Team Search open positions that align with your skills and interests. We are looking for passionate, curious, and solution-driven team players. SEARCH AMERICAN AIRLINES JOBS Keep Up to Date Stay ahead with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work here. READ CAREERS BLOG Job Alert Emails Customize your subscription to receive job alerts, latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Discover the exciting and rewarding opportunities that await at American Airlines.
Learn more about American Airlines
Size
123,400 employees
Market Cap
$8 billion
Industry
Aerospace & Defense
Net Income
-$8.8 billion
Founded
1930
5 Year Trend
-5.7%
Revenue
$17.3 billion
NASDAQ
AAL
* Ladders Estimates

Similar Jobs

Ad banner background

Get Ready For Your
Next Interview

More Jobs at American Airlines

More Legal & Accounting Jobs

Find similar Director, Senior Attorney jobs:

NationwideFort Worth, TX