Assistant Deputy General Counsel

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Date: Dec 3, 2024

Location: Atlanta, GA, US, 30308

Company: Norfolk Southern Corp.

Requisition 38090: B6 - Assistant Deputy General Counsel

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Position Location: NS Headquarters (Midtown Atlanta)

Position Type: Hybrid

Primary Purpose:

The position focuses primarily on employment and labor, ERISA and immigration matters. This position supports key business objectives of internal client departments of the Corporation, helping the Department providing quality legal advice timely and positioning NS for favorable outcomes. It also manages employment and labor litigation, and agency matters.

Employment and Labor:

• Provide legal advice and counseling on a wide range of employment matters, including hiring, performance management, leaves of absence and accommodation, employee discipline and terminations, reorganizations, relocation, and strategies for managing risk for employment matters

• Advise on compliance on employment laws, including Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and other federal/state/local employment laws

• Work with Human Resources and other departments to recommend, implement and improve employment-related policies and procedures

• Advise and/or draft employment-related offer letters, consulting agreements, separation programs, separation/settlement agreements, non-compete & non-solicitation agreements, releases, and other related agreements.

• Resolve threatened and pre-litigation employment matters

• Work with outside counsel and in-house senior paralegal to manage individual employment litigation from inception through resolution, including setting case strategy and reviewing motions

• Assist in review of response to complaints filed with state and federal agencies (EEOC, DOL, etc.) and participate in mediations and settlement negotiations with respect to such complaints

• Provide guidance as needed on labor matters under the Railway Labor Act

• Keep apprised of changes in labor and employment laws to ensure policies and procedures are compliant with all legal requirements

Corporate Benefits, Immigration and Other:

• Provide legal advice (including to Human Resources, Tax, Finance, Accounting, and Corporate Secretary) on the design and operation of the company’s defined benefit pension plans, 401(k)plans, health and other welfare plans, fringe benefit arrangements, equity programs and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, and relocation programs.

• Draft and/or review plan documents, summary plan descriptions, prospectuses, equity award agreements, and participant communications.

• Negotiate and review service contracts for third-party benefit administrators and benefit consultants.

• Advise the ERISA fiduciary committees for the company’s retirement and welfare plans.

• Advise and prepare materials regarding participant appeals of claims and handle complex benefits plan litigation.

• Advise on issues concerning HIPAA compliance, particularly with respect to the Corporation’s drug and alcohol rehabilitation services (DARS) program and the Medical Case Management Plan

• Analyze new legislation and rulemaking in areas of responsibility and initiating appropriate action plans.

• Participate in related design and development of corporate policies, procedures, and associated training.

• Work with outside counsel and Human Resources to manage immigration matters.

Experience and Education

Job Related Experience:

Minimum Level:8 years’ experience handling employment, labor and employment matters and responsibilities associated with the position, either as external counsel to large public companies at a law firm, or as in-house counsel, with preference for some in-house experience.

Education:

Minimum Level:Doctoral Degree (JD)

Licenses or Certifications: Georgia Bar license or ability to waive in after commencing employment

Skills and Abilities:

• General understanding of business objectives

• Risk prioritization.

• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail

• Sound judgment for resolution of corporate issues and achievement of business objectives.

• Strong interpersonal skills

• Communication skills (both written and oral)

• Ability to self-motivate and work under minimal supervision, while also contributing to a team environment.

Company Overview

Since 1827, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) and its predecessor companies have safely moved the goods and materials that drive the U.S. economy. Today, it operates a customer-centric and operations-driven freight transportation network. Committed to furthering sustainability, Norfolk Southern helps its customers avoid 15 million tons of yearly carbon emissions by shipping via rail. Its dedicated team members deliver more than 7 million carloads annually, from agriculture to consumer goods, and is the largest rail shipper of auto products and metals in North America. Norfolk Southern also has the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern U.S., serving a majority of the country’s population and manufacturing base, with connections to every major container port on the Atlantic coast as well as the Gulf of Mexico and Great Lakes. Learn more by visiting www.NorfolkSouthern.com .

At Norfolk Southern, we believe in celebrating our individuality. By leveraging the unique backgrounds and viewpoints of our employees, we can create a culture of innovation, respect, and inclusion. We know that employees thrive in a workplace where differing viewpoints, ideas, and experiences are freely shared and valued. As such, we encourage all employees to contribute their distinctive skills and capabilities to our organization.

Equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Together, we power progress.