Corporate Counsel - Rio Tinto
Corporate Counsel, Disputes – Americas
Join an encouraging leadership group, committed to your growth and development
Be part of a group that is safety driven and values inclusion
Permanent role based in either Montreal, Salt Lake City or Chicago
For Illinois based roles the expected annual salary range is $170,000 – $209,000 usd
We’re Finding Better Ways™ to provide materials the world needs, now and in the future. Our values – care, courage and curiosity – guide how we work and how we treat each other.
About the role
We are looking for a Corporate Counsel, Disputes – Americas, to provide senior legal leadership for Rio Tinto’s disputes portfolio across the Americas. The role will oversee complex litigation, arbitration and regulatory investigations, while helping manage material legal, commercial and reputational risk across the region.
This is a great opportunity for a dedicated, professional individual to be at the forefront of significant and sensitive disputes, partnering closely with Product Groups and Functions and acting as a trusted legal adviser to senior stakeholders. This role is critical to ensuring disputes are strategically managed, risk exposure is mitigated, and Rio Tinto’s reputation and long-term value are protected across Americas jurisdictions.
Reporting to the Chief Counsel, Disputes, Closure & Sustainability (or Regional Head of Litigation, as applicable), and working in a challenging and exciting environment, within the legal team, you will:
Support the development and implementation of disputes strategy across AMER in alignment with the Group’s global disputes framework.
Manage complex, high-value and multi-jurisdictional litigation, arbitration and regulatory investigations across the Americas.
Support oversight of class actions, cross-border proceedings, employment disputes, environmental claims and government investigations relevant to AMER operations.
Identify dispute trends and emerging legal risks across jurisdictions in the United States, Canada and Latin America, and provide proactive advice to senior stakeholders.
Develop and execute litigation strategy for material disputes in the Americas, including pleadings, motion practice, discovery, trial preparation and alternative dispute resolution.
Manage regulatory and enforcement matters, including cross-border investigations and engagement with government agencies and regulators.
Ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulatory frameworks across OECD and non-OECD jurisdictions within AMER
Manage and mitigate major legal, commercial and reputational risks arising from disputes in the Americas.
About you
A commitment to the safety of yourself and your team
Significant legal experience (typically 8+ years) in litigation and regulatory investigations within a leading law firm and/or multinational in-house environment.
Strong experience managing complex disputes in the Americas, including class actions, employment matters and regulatory investigations.
Experience handling cross-border disputes, including coordination across multiple jurisdictions within AMER.
Experience in trial practice, arbitration/mediation, pleadings, litigation strategy development and regulatory engagement.
Exposure to environmental, antitrust, securities, regulatory agency and/or government proceedings (desirable).
Willingness to travel within the Americas as reasonably required.
If you are applying for the role based in the province of Quebec, fluency in French and English, both written and spoken. Rio Tinto is a global company and the duties of this position may require collaboration with colleagues, teams, or partners based outside Quebec.
What we offer
Be recognised for your contribution, your thinking and your hard work, and go home knowing you’ve helped the world progress.
A work environment where safety is always the number one priority
A competitive salary package with annual cash incentive awards for eligible employees
Career development & education assistance to further your ambitions
Access top tier family-friendly health and medical programs and pension plan
Wellbeing benefits
Generous Rio Tinto employee share program
Employee Assistance Program
Ongoing individual wellbeing support for you and your family for personal and professional matter
Leave for all of life’s reasons (vacation/annual, paid parental, sick leave)
Where you’ll be working
You will be based in either Montreal, Salt Lake City or Chicago. Travel will be required as reasonably necessary.