Arizona Education Association

General Counsel

Based in Phoenix, AZ

 

Date of Posting: April 5, 2023
Close of Posting: Until Filled

The General Counsel is responsible for managing AEA’s legal services program and the organization’s legal matters related to both member advocacy and corporate issues. The General Counsel is a managerial employee who supervises two employees and who reports directly to the Executive Director.

To Apply:
Please submit your résumé, cover letter, and 3 references to:

Arizona Education Association
Attn: Nicole Adams
345 E. Palm Lane
Phoenix, AZ 85004
fax: 602-240-6887
email: Nicole.Adams@ArizonaEA.org

Should your résumé generate further interest, AEA will send you an Employment Application. This completed application must be submitted for any further employment consideration.

Education and Experience:

• Graduation from a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association and current admission or the ability to secure admission to the Bar of the State of Arizona in a reasonable amount of time.
• Experience and knowledge in areas of education, labor and employment, civil rights, administrative, election, and general corporate law.
• Recent experience and demonstrated success in litigating educational employee employment disputes.
• Experience with general corporate matters in the National Education Association, state affiliate level, or similar organization.

General Qualifications and Skills:

• Ability to analyze and interpret complex legal issues and documents, and to develop and implement strategic and innovative solutions to the resolution of complex or sensitive legal issues.
• Knowledge of principles, practices, methods, materials, and references utilized in legal research.
• Ability to understand and supervise a wide variety of litigation in all forums.
• Ability to work as a team leader to provide strategic direction and guidance regarding legal objectives, programs, and processes.
• Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to managers, the Board of Directors, members, employee groups, and outside organizations.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills including conflict management and resolution.
• High ethical standards and the ability to maintain confidential information.
• An understanding of the operations of a labor union and organizing principles.

Responsibilities:
Member Advocacy

• Represent/advise individual members as designated by AEA policies and procedures. Coordinate legal services to members, primarily through initial consultations. Serve as a resource person for members and staff in matters that relate to rights, responsibilities, and legal options available to employees when matters impact educational employment.
• Provide legal opinions on matters pertaining to AEA, its structure and organization, or other matters raised by members, which concern educational employment or policy.
• Approve and monitor the use of outside counsel, make referrals, and assist other attorneys by brainstorming, offering second opinions, editing work, researching, etc.
• Maintain legal research files to benefit staff and outside counsel.
• Provide high-quality legal information, advice, and training to the AEA members, staff, and to outside attorneys as appropriate.
• Assist with increasing advocacy capacity at the local level. Provide high-quality advocacy information and training to local leaders and advocacy teams.
• Provide current information concerning the handling of cases by the routine inclusion of information in each client’s file, and submission of time records as to time spent on matters which involve individual cases, as well as requests for legal opinions.

Public Policy

• Maintain familiarity with and serve as a consultant on various codes, rules, policies, regulations, and laws at all levels of federal, state, and agency organizations.
• Provide centralized direction of legislation and general conditions of law by helping to develop/review legislation design to achieve Association goals and objectives, and targeting and directing issues and cases to build case law favorable to organizational goals.
• Provide advice and serve as a consultant to matters involving elections and campaign finance.

Member Legal Services Program

• Develop and manage the system for the delivery of legal services. Lead the Advocacy Help Desk and provide ongoing assessment and recommendations for expansion and changes.
• Serve as the liaison for NEA legal services programs, such as Educator’s Employment Liability, Association Professional Liability, Fidelity Bond, and the Attorney Referral Program.
• Review legal files for compliance with NEA guidelines for reimbursement.
• Review caseloads and advise the Executive Director when problems arise in advising a member or when problems arise in the litigation of disputes.
• Participate regularly in attorney conferences for the purpose of discussing current developments in cases or in case law.

Managerial Responsibilities

• Supervise two bargaining unit members, provide feedback and evaluation to staff, monitor workload, and adjust as necessary.
• Recommend budget adjustments to the Executive Director for legal services.
• Serve with other AEA Managers on the AEA Leadership Team with the Executive Director.

Corporate Advisor

• Serve as advisor and consultant to the Executive Director, President, and Board on questions of AEA compliance as an employer, corporation, and a business organization and as otherwise needed.
• Provide the Executive Director with regular briefings on the legal and corporate services program areas, needs, and achievements.
• Provide regular and year-end financial and budget updates on legal expenses.

Salary Range: Commensurate with experience and training

Benefits: Consistent with the AEA/AEASO Collective Bargaining Agreement including employer-paid health insurance and a generous vacation package

The Arizona Education Association is an equal-opportunity employer with an affirmative action employment program.
Minorities and women are encouraged to apply.