Description:

About the Position:
The RLC Vice President of Litigation reports directly to the RLC's President and is key to the RLC's success. The role's primary focus is working with retail member litigators and select law firm members to formulate strategies to prevent and address emerging litigation waves. Knowledge of the federal rules and procedural mechanisms, experience crafting prelitigation solutions, facility with a range of litigation, and an understanding of the plaintiffs' bar are required of the position. Innate curiosity, genuine interest in collaboration, and an ability to bring people together in productive discussions are also essential.

Trade association experience is not required. We are looking for lawyers with sophisticated corporate and/or private practice litigation experience (especially in retail-relevant areas) who are interested in using that background to complement the trade association focus that the RLC provides. In exchange, we will show you how rewarding trade association life can be when you work with smart corporate and outside counsel and with a collegial staff representing the retail industry while solving some of its most complex litigation problems.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities:

Work with chief legal officers and top corporate retail litigators to assist in preventing and responding to mass action litigation.
Host regular meetings of RLC member counsel to strategize on key litigation issues.
Research and analyze emerging litigation waves and formulate counter strategies.
Convene and work directly with in-house counsel at the country's leading retailers to address newly emerging and intractable litigation targeting the retail and other consumer-facing industries.
Work with RLC law firm members to develop materials and programming for the benefit of RLC retail members and to showcase RLC law firm members.
Help identify the best cases for the RLC to participate as amicus by canvassing dockets, connecting with RLC law firm and retail members, and vetting requests for amicus support.
Develop legal strategy and arguments and review/edit briefs drafted by outside counsel.
Stay abreast of public policy issues impacting retail industry and coordinate with RILA public policy team on litigation strategies to address them.
Keep current on all litigation affecting the retail industry and lead the RLC's two highly-read weekly publications: Courtside with the Retail Litigation Center and Courtside Connections.
Work with the RLC team to ensure that the RLC website fully reflects the scope of the RLC's work.

Required Skills & Experience:

J.D. from accredited law school and membership in at least one state bar.
At least 5-7 years litigation experience in a law firm and/or corporate legal department, including experience evaluating demand letters, developing pre-litigation strategies and corporate defense, and sophisticated understanding commercial litigation.
Comfort facilitating and leading group discussions toward productive outcomes.
Enjoyment from finding connections and building bridges.
Willingness to learn, lean in and recommend improvements.
Excellent legal analytical, organizational and writing skills.
A self-starter with strong project management skills.
Facility on a PC and with Microsoft technology.
Bonus points for experience with arbitral bodies.
Bonus points for aptitude with the press and social media.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.