General Counsel : Massachusetts

Massachusetts Teachers Association

General Counsel
(Full Time)

Based in Quincy, MA

The Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA) is seeking a General Counsel who is a dynamic leader with both a strong background in labor and education law and a deep commitment to public education, pre-K through higher education, and to social and racial justice.
 
The MTA and its 110,000 members work to advance the quality and equity of Massachusetts public schools and colleges by securing the working conditions and professional respect and autonomy of educators, advocating for full funding for public education, and challenging education “reforms” which serve to privatize public education and undermine educator professionalism and the student learning experience.
 
RESPONSIBILITIES:
 
Legal Strategist and Practitioner

• Assures the delivery of high-quality legal services to MTA, its affiliates and its members to protect their contractual and workplace rights, including overseeing complex litigation of statewide signficance.
• Provides legal guidance to MTA and its officers regarding the interpretation and application of, and amendments to, MTA’s governing documents.
• Advises the MTA Board and Executive Committee on legal matters and participates in and advises various committees and task forces.
• Provides legal advice and training to MTA staff working in the field and corporate legal advice and counsel to MTA and MTA officers.

Advocate

• Drafts and reviews legislative proposals and regulations aimed at advancing policies to ensure the public schools and colleges our educators and students deserve and provides written or in-person testimony before the Legislature and regulatory agencies.
• Maintains effective relationships with state agencies, executive offices, labor groups, advocacy groups, and other coalition partners.
• Collaborates with legal partners, including NEA counsel, to use the fullest potential of the law to protect and advance the rights and working conditions of MTA’s membership, to defend and advance quality, equity and access in our public schools and colleges, and to defend union rights.

Manager

• Directs the day-to-day operation of the Legal Service Division and associated personnel, including the deputy general counsel, nine staff attorneys, paralegals, and outside attorneys retained to represent MTA affiliates and members.
• Assigns legal cases to staff and outside attorneys, conducts case reviews, and continuously monitors progress and costs.
• Recommends the annual division budget to the Executive Director-Treasurer and administers the budget as established, including overseeing expenditures and billing practices.
• Monitors the MTA retirement consultant program.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• J.D. from a nationally accredited institution.
• Admittance, or eligibility for admittance to the Massachusetts Bar in good standing.
• Minimum 5 years of management experience
• Minimum of five years of experience in the practice of public sector labor law.
• In-depth knowledge of Massachusetts labor and education laws, and other federal and state laws pertaining to the rights, benefits and obligations of employers, employees and employee organizations.
• Knowledge and ability to provide advice and counsel to the Corporation.
• Experienced in litigation, including at the appellate level.
• Demonstrated organizational skills and willingness to develop administrative capabilities, including case and time management.
• Willingness to travel throughout Massachusetts, and on occasion nationally, and work weekends and nights as needed.
• Willingness to divest from any other practice of law or employment.

 Apply HERE!

The MTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value our diverse workforce and welcome applications from minorities, veterans, women, and persons with disabilities. Salary, commensurate with experience, is highly competitive with a generous benefit package., is highly competitive with a generous benefit package.

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Job Posting Courtesy of UnionJobs.com