NYSUT Associate Counsel
Associate Counsel
NYSUT Office of the General Counsel
Description
New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) seeks motivated attorney (Associate Counsel position) to join its Office of General Counsel (OGC) in its New York City work location, where the attorneys work remotely but make in person appearances as needed, primarily in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County.
NYSUT- Who are we?
NYSUT is a statewide labor organization affiliated with more than 1,200 local unions, each representing its own members. NYSUT is affiliated with two national unions, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the National Education Association (NEA).
NYSUT represents more than 600,000 people who work in, or are retired from, New York's schools, colleges, and healthcare facilities, including teachers, teacher aides and assistants, college and university faculty and professional staff, school bus drivers, custodians, secretaries, cafeteria workers, nurses and other healthcare professionals.
NYSUT's Office of General Counsel - What do we do?
The OGC is NYSUT's in-house counsel's office with approximately 35 attorneys and over a dozen support staff, located throughout its Albany, Buffalo and NYC offices. The OGC is a full-service law office that provides zealous legal representation and practical guidance in a variety of settings in both the public and private sectors.
The OGC is a collegial environment where attorneys support one another and often work together on litigation and legal presentations. The successful candidate should be prepared to work collaboratively with the office's attorneys, managers, and support staff, as well as with the organization's officers, employees, local unions and union members.
Associate Counsel Position - What will you do?
A career with NYSUT is the opportunity to engage in work that matters.
The primary responsibilities of an Associate Counsel are to represent NYSUT, its members and local unions in litigation in state and federal agencies and courts, and in arbitration proceedings, including representing members in disciplinary matters. An Associate Counsel has the opportunity to appear at both the trial and appellate court levels, handling a case from filing to final judgment or settlement. An Associate Counsel has an independent caseload, with the opportunity to work on a wide variety of cases and matters. The position offers a balance of autonomy and support from managing attorneys and colleagues. Our attorneys provide legal advice on a wide spectrum of labor and employment, and government matters, including those relating to NYS Education, Labor and Civil Service Laws. Attorneys of every level of experience have the opportunity to provide education and training to members, union leaders and NYSUT staff.
Opportunities may be also available to advise NYSUT and its related organizations on compliance and contract matters, where NYSUT acts as an employer, maintains a trust, is a party to a contract, or is otherwise regulated by the IRS, Department of Labor and various other state and federal agencies. In-state travel is required for court and arbitration appearances.
Qualifications
- JD from an accredited law school
- Admitted to practice in the State of New York
- 1-5 years of experience practicing law
- Ability to manage a caseload independently and responsibly
- Excellent written and oral communication skills (strong research, writing, analytical, advocacy, and client counseling skills)
- Experience drafting legal pleadings and memoranda, and negotiating, drafting and reviewing settlement agreements
- Admission to at least one federal district court, preferred
- Experience handling arbitrations, in addition to having substantial knowledge in the areas of civil litigation, education law and labor/employment law in both the public and private sectors, is a plus
Why Should You Apply?
- Competitive salary commensurate with experience ranging from $78,000 through $165,000.
- Excellent benefits, including comprehensive medical and dental insurance plans, life and long-term disability plans, and retirement plans
- Generous PTO plan
- Professional development programs, including in-house CLE and attorney training programs
- Excellent growth opportunities for attorneys of every level of experience
- Work-life balance
- Ability to work remotely, when not making appearances
- Collaborative and supportive work environment with a diverse group of experienced professionals
- Working within our highly respected organization provides the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of working people and provides the ability to be a proud part of the labor movement at the local, state and national levels
- Challenging and rewarding work
Interested? How to Apply
Email a cover letter, resume and writing sample to HR@nysut.org by March 1, 2023. Successful candidates will undergo a background and professional reference check.
Salary Range for this position $79,887 up to $121,902
At NYSUT OGC, we believe in creating a work environment free of barriers and bias, where individual outlooks and talents are respected and valued. Our organization's policy is to ensure an equal employment opportunity to all persons without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by the law.
NYSUT is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. NYSUT is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. Women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ people are encouraged to apply
New York State United Teachers is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, NEA, AFL-CIO, representing teachers and other professionals, school related professionals, higher education professionals, health care professionals and retirees. www.nysut.org.
Responsibilities Include
- Independently manage a caseload involving arbitration and litigation of public and private sector labor and employment issues
- Conduct research and draft legal opinions on a variety of labor and employment issues impacting employees and unions
- Work closely with other attorneys, managing attorneys and field staff on cases, matters and projects
- Regularly appear at arbitration, in state and federal court, and before agencies, including PERB, NLRB, EEOC, etc.
- Communicate with individual and organizational clients
- Other matters as assigned by the General Counsel or managing attorneys.