The Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA), a professional labor union representing the interests of more than 110,000 public educators and education support professionals, is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Staff Counsel.
The Staff Counsel provides a variety of legal services for the Association, its affiliates and members to protect and advance the rights of MTA members and actively supports the Association’s programs, policies, and initiatives to strengthen the organization’s power through member-engagement.
Key responsibilities include:
- Representing local affiliates and members in proceedings in different venues, including before arbitrators, administrative agencies, and state and federal courts.
- Providing written and verbal legal advice to members, local associations and MTA staff on a wide-variety of issues, including but not limited to labor law; public sector bargaining, labor relations, and collective bargaining agreements; the Education Reform Act; and state and federal employment-related areas of law.
- Engaging in legal research and writing of varying degrees of complexity.
- Drafting and reviewing legislation impacting the Association and its members.
Skills and Qualifications:
- At least two years of experience in the practice of one or more of the following areas of law: public sector labor law and labor relations; state and federal employment laws, including discrimination, whistleblower, medical leave, and wage acts; unemployment law; laws pertaining to Massachusetts public education employees at the pre-kindergarten through higher education levels; public sector health insurance and retirement laws; and federal and state constitutional laws.
- Demonstrated litigation skills.
- Demonstrated commitment to labor unions and public education.
- Excellent verbal skills for oral advocacy, negotiations, mediation, training and client communication.
- Demonstrated ability to write clearly and persuasively; strong analytical skills.
- Effective investigation and research skills (including in Westlaw).
- Ability to build consensus among parties, including those with divergent interests.
- Ability to work quickly and creatively, to handle multiple assignments simultaneously and to function well both independently and as part of a team.
- Willingness to practice law exclusively on behalf of the Massachusetts Teachers Association.
- Bachelor’s degree and LLB/JD from nationally accredited institution and admitted to practice in Massachusetts and the Federal District Court of Massachusetts.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE: This is a union staff position with an excellent salary and comprehensive benefits package. To apply for this opportunity, please notify Human Resources in writing by Friday, July 3, 2015.