Associate General Counsel

AFSCME is one of the largest, most diverse unions in the country, with 1.4 million members devoted to public service. We are a leader in racial, social and economic justice within the labor movement and beyond. The Office of the General Counsel is integral to advancing AFSCME’s mission and is looking for an exceptional attorney to join us in our fight to improve and expand workers’ rights. Our department provides legal representation and advice to the officers and staff of the International Union and to AFSCME councils and locals throughout the nation. We support AFSCME leaders and staff to address a variety of legal issues, which include complex questions arising under a wide range of state and federal laws, providing legal support to organizing campaigns involving both public and private sector employees supporting political action and legislative programs with legal analysis and drafting; providing advice and assistance on internal governance matters and union democracy; and supporting litigation ranging from defending against hostile corporate forces to filing affirmative lawsuits to strengthen our union. Emphasis is directed at legal issues involving organizing the unorganized and other subjects of nationwide concern to AFSCME and its members.

Duties: 

• AFSCME and its affiliates, officers and staff concerning their legal rights and obligations.
• Works with AFSCME and its affiliates, officers and staff to advance programs and policies of AFSCME.
• Develops, initiates, assists, forwards and defends litigation in state and federal courts and state and federal administrative agencies, often in collaboration with outside counsel.
• Supports organizing and other strategic campaigns of AFSCME and its affiliates.
• Supports and helps develop key legislative initiatives for AFSCME and its affiliates.
• Supports AFSCME International’s internal bodies in matters involving democratic governance, participation and other internal issues.
• Performs legal research and prepares legal briefs and memoranda.
• Provides legal analysis and assistance to affiliate lawyers.
• Negotiates contracts and handles other transactional matters for AFSCME International.
• Conducts legal trainings.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel and their designee.

Requirements

Education and Experience:

• Graduation from an accredited law school; one or more years of relevant legal experience; admission (or pending admission) to a bar; and any combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities, and demonstrates a strong commitment to progressive causes.
• Proficiency in working with Westlaw, Excel and applicable Microsoft Office applications.
• Demonstrated experience productively interacting with diverse groups of people and promoting institutional equity. 

Competencies:

• Prepare legal briefs, develop legal strategy and arguments and represent clients in court and other administrative proceedings.
• Advise clients concerning sensitive internal affairs.
• Interpret laws, rulings and regulations affecting labor unions or other institutional clients.
• Supervise and coordinate activities of law clerks and support staff.
• Work well with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and experiences within the department, throughout the union, and with counterparts in other unions or allied organizations.

Travel and work hours:

• Occasional travel and extended work hours may be required.

Compensation:

• Competitive salary based on years of experience according to fixed departmental salary scale.

To be considered:  Send letter of interest, resume and two writing samples by email to: recruiting@afscme.org. Applicants with less than three (3) years of full-time attorney experience must also include a law school transcript.