Duke Energy Corporation

Senior Counsel

Duke Energy Corporation • $120K — $150K *
Cincinnati, OH 45238In-Person
Legal & Accounting
Less than 5 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school
  • Minimum of 3 years practicing law
  • Licensed to practice law in Ohio or eligible for Ohio bar admission
  • 3+ years in labor and employment law preferred
  • Strong analytical and communication skills, both verbal and written

Responsibilities

  • Provide labor and employment law advice to HR and management
  • Perform complex legal assignments and draft documents
  • Represent the company in administrative agency matters and arbitrations
  • Develop effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders
  • Coordinate on cross-functional litigation and regulatory issues
  • Deliver proactive training and guidance on employment law developments
  • Collaborate with legal team on labor and employment matters

Benefits

  • Hybrid work model post-onboarding with a blend of remote and onsite work
  • Minimal travel requirement (15-25%)
  • Professional development opportunities through complex assignments
  • Opportunity to work closely with senior leadership
  • Engagement with high-stakes legal challenges in a strategic partner role
Full Job Description
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 Thursday, June 18, 2026

****Position may be located in Cincinnati, OH or Charlotte, NC****

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.

Senior Counsel - An attorney with significant experience and maturity who works under the direction of a Deputy General Counsel or Associate General Counsel on defined legal problems or legal problems lacking clear precedent which require the application of specialized expertise. The incumbent handles litigation and administrative matters and addresses legal problems and concerns arising out of the day-to-day functions of the company. Works on non-routine matters which require a broad and thorough understanding of the Company's business and industry. Handles contracts, appellate activity, and other commercial documents which allows the Company to operate efficiently within the boundaries of the law.
  • Perform complex assignments, using legal research, analytical and writing skills
  • Provide legal advice to management regarding matters of some complexity which may have a material dollar impact on business operations
  • Research legal principles and precedents, consult with outside counsel, draft and execute legal documents, and gather relevant case information using multiple sources and methods


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


Required/Basic Qualifications

Senior Counsel
  • Doctor of Jurisprudence degree (JD) from an accredited law school
  • Minimum of Three (3) or more years of experience practicing law
  • Licensed to practice law in Ohio or Licensed to practice in any state in the US and eligible for admission under Ohio bar rules


Desired Qualifications
  • 3+ 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%

Relocation Assistance Provided (as applicable)
No

Represented/Union Position
No

Visa Sponsored Position
NoPlease note that in order to be considered for this position, you must possess all of the basic/required qualifications.

About Duke Energy Corporation

Duke Energy is one of the largest energy holding companies in the United States. Its Electric Utilities and Infrastructure business unit serves approximately 7.5 million customers located in six states in the Southeast and Midwest.

Duke Energy Corporation Careers

Join the dynamic team at Duke Energy Corporation, a leader in sustainable energy, where innovation, leadership, and diversity drive success. As one of the largest electric power holding companies in the United States, there has never been a better time to explore job opportunities with us. Work You’ll Do At Duke Energy, your work will directly contribute to shaping the future of energy across the nation. Our commitment to sustainable, reliable power is matched by our dedication to our team's professional growth and development. Lead in an Environment Focused on Innovation and Sustainability Duke Energy is at the forefront of integrating renewable energy and cutting-edge technology to meet tomorrow's energy needs. Join a team where your innovative ideas can flourish and where you are part of leading the charge toward a cleaner energy future. Transform Your Career with Unmatched Opportunities With a wide range of career paths, from engineering to customer service, Duke Energy offers job opportunities that cater to diverse skills and ambitions. Whether you're seeking an entry-level position or a more senior role, you'll find a culture that supports your career aspirations. Internship Programs and Professional Development Start your career journey through Duke Energy’s internship programs designed to give you real-world experience and insights into the energy sector. Our programs help bridge the gap between academic learning and professional employment, enhancing your resume and preparing you for future hiring opportunities. Be Part of a Great Team Duke Energy’s commitment to diversity and inclusive culture makes it a great place to work. Our team is our strength, and we thrive on the creativity and different perspectives that each member brings. Enjoy benefits that support both your professional and personal life, as you collaborate with talented professionals dedicated to making a difference. Future-Proof Your Career Advance your career with Duke Energy’s extensive training and development programs. From leadership development to technical skills enhancement, we provide the tools you need to succeed. Our commitment to your growth ensures that your career is always moving forward. Explore Discover how Duke Energy is leading the way in renewable energy solutions and how our workforce is pivotal in driving this change. Stay Connected Join Our Team Search open positions that match your skills and interests. We look for passionate, curious, creative, and solution-driven team players. Ready to start your journey with Duke Energy? Prepare your resume, sharpen your interview skills, and join a company that values what you bring to the table. SEARCH DUKE ENERGY 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 Personalize your subscription to receive job alerts, latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Explore the exciting and rewarding opportunities that await at Duke Energy Corporation. By joining Duke Energy, you’re not just getting a job—you’re gaining a career where you can truly make a difference.
Learn more about Duke Energy Corporation
Size
27,605 employees
Market Cap
$79 billion
Industry
Energy & Utilities
Net Income
$1.3 billion
5 Year Trend
+2%
Revenue
$23.8 billion
NASDAQ
DUK
* Ladders Estimates

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