Associate Counsel

McCracken, Stemerman & Holsberry, LLP is seeking an associate with 0 to 4 years of experience for its Oakland office for its union practice. Our clients are primarily international and local unions that represent hospitality workers, grocery workers, firefighters, construction workers and sanitation workers. We serve as UNITE HERE’s legal department and represent UNITE HERE locals throughout the United States, which gives us an opportunity to work collaboratively on innovative and high-stakes organizing and contract- bargaining campaigns. While labor law and the First Amendment are at the core of our practice, we also use other areas of the law from environmental and land-use to election, antitrust, and health-care to accomplish our clients’ goals.

Associates at our firm do everything from contract arbitration to litigation to advising clients on strategy. We give associates as much responsibility and independence as they can handle, and encourage them to develop relationships with our clients.

We are looking for people who share our belief that unions are essential to improving the lives of working people, who want to work hard and creatively to assist our clients, and who are ambitious. The job will require regular travel throughout the United States.

We typically hire people who have strong academic records and have shown a commitment to economic and social justice. People of color and women are strongly encouraged to apply. Federal clerkships are preferred but not required.

Please send a resume, writing sample and transcript to: Kristin Martin, McCracken, Stemerman & Holsberry, LLP, 475 14th Street, Suite 1200, Oakland, CA 94612, hiringpartner@msh.law.

ERISA/Employee Benefits Associate

McCracken, Stemerman & Holsberry, LLP is seeking an ERISA/employee benefits associate with 2+ years’ experience for its Oakland office. Our clients are Taft-Hartley multiemployer pension, health, 401(k) and training funds for grocery industry workers and restaurant, hotel and gaming industry workers. Responsibilities include providing advice to plan trustees on a wide array of issues, drafting and reviewing trust and plan documents, reviewing and negotiating service provider agreements, advising on regulatory compliance, assessing benefits claims and appeals, and withdrawal liability. We have clients across the country who are passionate about providing high-quality health, pension, and training benefits to their participants, and who are exploring innovative approaches to benefits for union workers. Our firm also represents unions associated with the plans. Applicants must be detail-oriented and possess excellent research, writing and communication skills. McCracken, Stemerman & Holsberry is an equal opportunity employer and invites applicants from all backgrounds to apply.

Please e-mail cover letter, resume, and writing sample to Sun Chang, McCracken, Stemerman & Holsberry, 475 14^th St., Ste. 1200, Oakland CA  94612,  erisahiringpartner@msh.law.