Counsel

Job Description

Counsel I (Legal) - Los Angeles or New York
Overview

Who We Are

SAG-AFTRA is the iconic American labor union that represents approximately 160,000 media professionals. SAG-AFTRA employees support our members and thrive on securing the strongest protections by negotiating the best wages, working conditions, health and pension benefits. We preserve and expand members' work opportunities, vigorously enforce our contracts and protect our members against unauthorized use of their work. ​

Responsibilities

What You'll Do

To protect the interests of SAG-AFTRA and its members by enforcing SAG-AFTRA contracts through arbitration and state/federal litigation; to provide timely and detailed advice to SAG-AFTRA departments regarding issues that implicate state and/or federal law, federal labor law, and SAG-AFTRA contractual negotiations.

(This section provides a general summary of the most significant job duties performed. It does not explain in detail every single duty performed.)

Litigation
• Manage caseload of arbitration matters, concerning contract and NLRA-related member grievances against signatory producers and distributors.
• Under supervision, represent SAG-AFTRA and its members in state and federal court in various litigation matters, including but not limited to disputes between members and producers/distributors/agents, based on state and federal law, and SAG-AFTRA contracts.
• Under supervision, represent SAG-AFTRA in administrative proceedings, and state and federal court regarding litigation brought by or against SAG-AFTRA, including but not limited to disputes with members, vendors, and/or employees.

Advising Departments
• Advise department staff as to legal rights pursuant to relevant contracts (e.g.., non-disclosure agreements, real-estate documents, etc.), state and federal law (labor and otherwise), and other legally relevant issues (HR-related issues, website privacy policy, etc.).
• Prepare legal opinions and documents that interpret applicable laws, rulings (arbitration and other), the SAG-AFTRA constitution and contracts, and various regulations related to applicable law.
• Prepare agreements and contracts pursuant to departmental requests.
• Conduct legal and factual research regarding specific departmental issues.
• Assist in assessment of internal documents, policies, etc., for legal compliance, and advise SAG-AFTRA personnel appropriately.

Negotiations and Advice
• Negotiate terms and provisions of various contracts (i.e.., vendor contracts, etc.).
• Resolve informally disputes between SAG-AFTRA (for itself and on behalf of SAG-AFTRA members) and third parties, in an effort to preempt litigation.
• Provide general information and assistance to SAG-AFTRA members in areas related to their work under SAG-AFTRA collective bargaining agreements.

Legal Secretary/Interns
• Supervise, direct and develop support staff.
• Administer year-round internship program, monitor work flow and assignments given to interns, supervise work product of interns, and evaluate performance.

Perform other duties as assigned or as the situation dictates.

Qualifications

What You'll Need

We want to make sure you're successful. To be considered, you must have:

(The individual must possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities and be able to explain and demonstrate that he or she can perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities.)
• Hold yourself and others accountable for a high level of performance and integrity.
• Negotiating skills - able to negotiate with diplomacy.
• Able to work under pressure and independently.
• Capable of taking direction from more than one supervisor.
• Able to professionally deal with irate, hostile, and/or difficult personalities.
• Able to respond to member and third party calls in a timely manner.
• Must be able to work in a challenging environment where constructive feedback from others is encouraged.
• Detail oriented.
• Proficient on Lexis Nexis.
• Must be proficient in PC applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Able to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing.
• Able to organize, prioritize and coordinate multiple tasks under daily deadlines.
• Superlative interpersonal skills: high degree of patience and tact. Must be able to cultivate respectful, strategic and collaborative relationships with people from diverse backgrounds, both internally and externally.
• Have an understanding and awareness of worker rights impacting SAG-AFTRA members.
• Must maintain regular and acceptable attendance at such level as is determined at SAG-AFTRA's sole discretion.
• Must be available and willing to work extended hours (and/or overtime for applicable non- exempt positions) per day or per week, including weekends and holidays, as SAG-AFTRA determines is necessary to meet its business needs.
• Must be available and willing to travel to such locations and with such frequency as SAG-AFTRA determines is necessary or desirable to meet its business needs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and/or Experience:
• A Juris Doctor or LLB degree from an ABA accredited law school or equivalent and at least one year's experience as a practicing attorney or its equivalent.
• Must provide a substantive legal writing sample.

Certificates, licenses, and/or registrations:
• Active membership in the State Bar of California and/or the New York State Bar.

PREFERRED BACKGROUND:
• Background in labor or entertainment law preferred.

What You'll Get

We are a great place to work because we offer:
• Colleagues that are passionate about what we do and how they contribute to our mission
• Balance between work and home life responsibilities
• Affordable and comprehensive medical and dental plans
• Generous pension plan
• Employee discounts and perks openings

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-re5w15-3-16-47-14-42 in your application.