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Posted June 17, 2026

Senior Counsel

Duke Energy
Charlotte, NC Full Time
Reference: DukeEnergyR40167_1

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

More than a career - a chance to make a difference in people's lives.

Build 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 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

No

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

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