Description:
A Largest Classified School Employees Labor Union is recruiting a Deputy Chief Counsel.A Largest Classified School Employees Labor Union is a public employee union proud to represent more than 250,000 classified employees in California public schools and community colleges.
A Largest Classified School Employees Labor Union has approximately 300 employees who work in 12 offices throughout California. This position reports to the Chief Counsel, and co-manages four attorneys, a paralegal and two administrative employees. This position is open due to a promotion.
Role of the Deputy Chief Counsel:
- Assists the Chief Counsel in managing the A Largest Classified School Employees Labor Union legal department, which provides legal advice and representation to the entire union as it represents classified employees around the state
- Provides strategic advice on a broad range of legal issues, including the Association's rights and responsibilities, federal and state labor law, the rights of our membership, corporate issues and state education law
- Supervises in-house legal staff in preparation of legal advice and conduct of administrative and judicial litigation, primarily with members or chapters as charging parties or plaintiffs
- Develops analysis, recommends options and strategies regarding actual or potential litigation
- Trains field staff on the substantive legal rights of A Largest Classified School Employees Labor Union and its members and on administrative hearing procedure
- Acts as legal advisor in labor and employee issues to senior management, and takes a hands-on role in grievance and dispute resolution with the staff union
- Assists the Chief Counsel in representing A Largest Classified School Employees Labor Union as an employer before arbitrators, NLRB, DFEH, EEOC or other agencies and courts
- Represents the Association, its management, and officers with respect to governance, policy, laws and other initiatives that protect and advance the Association's mission
- Supervises outside counsel
- Prepares or oversees drafting of legal opinions, contracts, proposed legislation and other documents
- Negotiates business contracts and assists in resolving disputes with third parties such as vendors
- Interviews applicants for legal positions and advises on hiring
The ideal candidate will have the following qualities:
- Committed to social change and building the union movement
- Excellent written advocacy skills across a range of contexts, including court briefs, advice memos, and editing the work of others
- Willingness to represent the management side in labor and employment disputes while respecting values of the union movement in a diverse workplace
- Promotes a values-driven, engaged culture
- Thinks strategically and shows leadership
- Performs legal research and synthesizes and presents complex issues and information in a clear and concise manner
- Negotiates, mediates, facilitates meetings, disputes and group dynamics
- Has a creative, intellectual curiosity
- Excellent writing and speaking skills
- Shows excellent judgement
- Influence; integrity; inspires confidence and trust
- Coaching, collaborative, inclusive management style with staff
- Team player as a senior manager
- Travel, work occasional irregular hours or weekends
- Ability to commute and work from our headquarters office in San Jose
Knowledge of:
- Federal and state labor and employment law and regulations
- California administrative agencies including PERB, DFEH
- Principles of collective bargaining, arbitration, organizing
- Federal and state laws and regulations that pertain to taxes, real estate, pensions
- Corporate law, fiduciary duty and responsibility
- School operations and the role of classified employees
- Federal and state civil procedure and litigation skills
- Trial and hearing advocacy skills
Experience:
- 7 years' legal experience, with 2 years in litigation/arbitration and employee/labor relations law
- 2 years' experience as a supervisor or lead
- Prior experience as a union or HR representative, EEO investigator or labor mediator may be counted towards minimum requirements
- Member in good standing with the California State Bar
- Out-state of candidates who are not licensed in California may be considered but would be required to pass the CA State Bar within 10 months of hire
