Assistant General Counsel

About the Opportunity

Summary

The Office of the General Counsel at Northeastern University seeks a full-time attorney to join a high-performing, collaborative, and collegial global in-house legal team. Located at Northeastern University's Boston campus, the attorney will primarily support the University's diverse and complex labor portfolio, with some support in the employment and litigation space. The University has 10 unions across its Boston, Burlington, Nahant, Oakland, and London campuses, with the expectation for an expanded labor portfolio in New York over the coming year.

The hired candidate will be responsible for a wide range of labor matters across the University's global campus, with a focus on Boston, CA or NY, as determined, and will provide proactive advice and guidance on all labor-related matters pertaining to union and non-union employees, participate in collective bargaining and the administration of collective bargaining agreements, advise on and litigate union grievances and arbitrations, including managing unfair labor practice charges and litigation at the NLRB and in federal court.

The hired candidate will also be responsible for proactive advice on University policies, including drafting and revision, participating in and advising on labor strategy in multiple jurisdictions, and assisting with other labor-related matters including union organizing, related staff training, reorganizations, employee evaluation and discipline, as well as employment matters such as hiring, promotion, leaves of absence, ADA and other accommodation requests, wage and hour, allegations of discrimination and harassment, and advising on personnel matters.

The attorney will work closely with and accept direction from the Vice President of Labor Operations and Senior Labor Counsel. Additional areas of responsibility may include policy design, implementation and advice, litigation support, and miscellaneous matters affecting university operations, including conflict/dispute resolution, general litigation and management of outside counsel. The attorney may work closely with and accept direction from the Deputy General Counsel for these aspects of the role.

The candidate will also successfully participate in and contribute to cross-functional teams. This is a Boston-based on-campus position.

Minimum Qualifications

The successful candidate will have 3 or more years of progressively sophisticated experience in labor law, with NLRB practice experience required, along with experience in labor relations and engagement, litigation, employment, including conflict resolution and general litigation.

* J.D. degree from an accredited law school.

* Member in good standing or eligible for admission to the Massachusetts Bar

* Prior in-house experience, particularly in higher education, non-profit or governmental organizations, and/or sophisticated law firm practice is preferred.

* Excellent and progressively sophisticated experience in labor and employment matters.

* Strong dispute resolution and litigation skills, including administrative agency and court experience. Trial experience a plus.

* Exceptional legal advice and counseling skills and experience.

* Superior experience in legal research, writing, analysis, and reasoning.

* Strong training and education experience.

Competencies

* A creative problem solver and solution seeker with excellent judgment.

* Adaptable and flexible with a superior ability to successfully handle multiple projects with competing priorities.

* Ability to interact effectively and persuasively with clients and senior leaders at all levels of the University.

* Superior work ethic and the ability to successfully handle a heavy, complex, and varied workload.

* Impeccable oral and written communication skills.

* The ability to identify and resolve complicated and sensitive issues creatively and with professional discretion.

* Excellent legal and business acumen.

* The ability to function successfully and efficiently in a deadline-driven, fast-paced academic, business and research environment.

* Ability to work independently and with a professional and entrepreneurial attitude, but also know when to escalate/elevate matters and/or collaborate with others.

* Strong organizational skills that reflect the ability to perform and prioritize a high volume of multiple projects and responsibilities seamlessly with excellent attention to context, substance, and detail while meeting goals and strict deadlines.

* Demonstrated ability to communicate complex concepts in a simple, compelling, concise, and creative way, including providing timely and relevant education/training.

* Skillful negotiation in challenging situations with both internal and external parties.

* Hands-on, collegial, and highly collaborative.

* Highly team-oriented, leading by exemplifying shared organizational values and demonstrating an ability to successfully team with and support colleagues.

Key Responsibilities

Administration of collective bargaining agreements,…