Title:               Associate Counsel

Dept.:              NYSUT Office of the General Counsel

Category:       Legal Staff Association (LSA)

Salary:             $93,256 to $146,564

Date:               October 23, 2024

Overview:

New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) seeks a motivated attorney (Associate Counsel position) to join its Office of General Counsel (OGC) Headquarters, Albany, New York where the attorneys work remotely but make in person appearances as needed.  The OGC is NYSUT’s in-house counsel full-service law office that provides 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. At NYSUT OGC, we believe in creating a work environment free of barriers, where individual outlooks and talents are respected and valued. 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.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Represent NYSUT, its members and local unions before state and federal agencies, in courts, in arbitration proceedings, and in disciplinary matters.
• Potentially appear at both the trial and appellate court levels, handling a case from filing to final judgment or settlement. 
• Independently manage a caseload involving arbitration and litigation of public and private sector labor and employment issues.
• Provide legal advice on labor and employment, and government matters, including those relating to NYS Education, Labor and Civil Service Laws.
• Provide education and training to members, union leaders and NYSUT staff.
• Potentially advise NYSUT and its related organizations on compliance, contract, and regulatory matters.
• Conduct research and draft legal opinions on a variety of labor and employment issues impacting employees and unions
• 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.

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.
• Willing and able to travel for court and arbitration appearances.
• Willing and able to work irregular hours if needed.

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 nearly 700,000 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 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.

Why Should You Apply?

·       Competitive salary and excellent benefits, including comprehensive medical and dental insurance plans, life and long-term disability plans, and retirement plans

·       Generous PTO plan

·       Work-life balance

·       Collaborative and supportive work environment with a diverse group of experienced professionals

·       Opportunity to work in a highly respected organization, make a meaningful difference in the lives of working people, and be a proud part of the labor movement at the local, state, and national levels.

How to Apply:

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to hr@nysut.org by November 23, 2024