EY
Global Legal Counsel - Litigation - Associate Director

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The Opportunity
We are looking for an experienced litigator to join our Global General Counsel’s Office (“GCO”) team. The successful candidate will help defend claims made against EY, including claims alleging professional malpractice, breach of contract claims, and securities class action litigation. This role actively manages and participates in the defense of litigation, mediations, arbitrations, and other civil proceedings. This role will also respond to subpoenas, inquiries, and investigations by regulators. This position serves a critical advisory and risk management function, addressing compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and firm policies governing all service lines compromising EY’s business.
Your Key Responsibilities
- Handle all aspects of various litigation, enforcement matters and investigations, and internal investigations
- Advise and assist on matters involving cross-border issues or which could have a significant financial or reputational impact to EY
- Consult with partners and other stakeholders on potential or threatened litigation to avoid significant civil, criminal, or regulatory exposure
- Coordinate responses to regulatory subpoenas and preservation requests by determining the appropriate custodians, drafting the preservation notice, and ensuring compliance
- Advise on issues of professional responsibility and risk management, such as client acceptance and continuances, conflicts of interest, document retention, independence, professional standards and guidance, restatements, special investigations, and discovery of financial statement errors or potential client fraud
- Formulate defense strategies and other tactical decisions in potential or active litigation matters involving EY and consult on defense strategies with relevant stakeholders
- Work with outside counsel and actively manage outside counsel spend to ensure resources are appropriately spent
- Conduct interviews of potential expert witnesses and current or former personnel in connection with litigation or other matters
- Participate in mediations and other settlement negotiations to resolve disputes in a cost-effective manner
- Participate in preparing key documents in litigation, including legal briefs, pleadings, and discovery requests
- Participate in preparing witnesses for testimony
- Develop and recommend EY policy and positions on legal issues
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
To Qualify for the Role You Must Have
- Significant level of autonomy in making difficult and often nuanced decisions involving litigation, criminal, and regulatory proceedings
- Experience as an attorney with significant litigation, including trial and related experience.
- Exceptionally strong analytical abilities to synthesize facts and law to determine actions
- Understand laws, rules, and regulations applicable to EY and its industry.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to interface and communicate effectively and diplomatically with all levels of EY personnel, including firm leaders and managing partners
- Demonstrated ability to create, plan, and successfully execute projects; the ability to meet multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment
- Exceptional interpersonal skills to manage outside counsel effectively
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited 4-year college; top of class preferred
- Law degree from a top law school; top of class preferred
- 6+ years of experience as a practicing attorney, preferably in a law firm or corporate legal department
- Requires active license as an attorney to practice law in the location where the resident EY office is located


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Skills and Attributes for Success
- Strong team player with excellent negotiation and communication skills and cultural awareness.
- Proactive attitude and positive mindset, high degree of emotional intelligence, and demonstrated aptitude for resilience, flexibility, and ability to adapt to changing circumstances and dynamics.
- Interest and ability to positively team and collaborate effectively across geographic locations.
- Ability to grasp, understand, and effectively articulate and document complex legal and contractual principles.
What we offer you
At EY, we’ll develop you with future-focused skills and equip you with world-class experiences. We’ll empower you in a flexible environment, and fuel you and your extraordinary talents in a diverse and inclusive culture of globally connected teams. Learn more.
Are you ready to shape your future with confidence? Apply today.
To help create an equitable and inclusive experience during the recruitment process, please inform us as soon as possible about any disability-related adjustments or accommodations you may need.
EY | Building a better working world
EY is building a better working world by creating new value for clients, people, society and the planet, while building trust in capital markets. Enabled by data, AI and advanced technology, EY teams help clients shape the future with confidence and develop answers for the most pressing issues of today and tomorrow. EY teams work across a full spectrum of services in assurance, consulting, tax, strategy and transactions. Fueled by sector insights, a globally connected, multi-disciplinary network and diverse ecosystem partners, EY teams can provide services in more than 150 countries and territories.
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