Massachusetts Teachers Association

Staff Counsel

Based in Quincy, MA

 

Company Name: Massachusetts Teacher Association
Position Title: Staff Counsel
Location: Quincy, Massachusetts 02171 United States
Salary: 131929-161053/Yearly

The Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA) represents over 117,000 members in 400 local associations throughout Massachusetts and employs a full-time staff of over 150. Our members are public school teachers, faculty, professional staff, and education support professionals working at public schools, colleges, and universities. As a member-driven organization and the largest union in New England, our collective power makes MTA an influential voice for educators, students, and their communities. We are proud to advocate for social, racial, and economic justice and a public education system that provides one of the cornerstones of a democratic society.

About the Role:
We are seeking a highly qualified Staff Counsel to join our legal team to provide a variety of legal services for the MTA, its affiliates, and members to protect and advance the rights of MTA members and actively support the MTA’s programs, policies, and initiatives to strengthen the organization’s power through member-engagement.

Minimum Qualifications:

• JD is from a nationally accredited institution and has been admitted to practice in Massachusetts.
• Demonstrated litigation skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to labor unions and public education and their role in advancing racial and social justice and promoting the common good.
• At least two years of experience in the practice of one or more of the following areas: public sector labor law and labor relations; state and federal employment laws, including discrimination, whistleblower, medical leave, and wage acts; unemployment law; laws about Massachusetts public education at the pre-kindergarten through higher education levels; public sector health insurance and retirement laws; and federal and state constitutional laws.
• Ability to build consensus among parties, including those with divergent interests.
• Ability to work quickly and creatively, handle multiple assignments simultaneously, and function effectively independently and as part of a team.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with Labor unions.
• Experience managing litigation and other legal disputes.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams.
• Strong business acumen and ability to understand and support business objectives.

Responsibilities:

• Represent local affiliates and members in proceedings in different venues, including before arbitrators, administrative agencies, and state and federal courts.
• Provide 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; education laws; and state and federal employment-related laws.
• Engage in legal research, analysis, and writing of varying degrees of complexity.
• Draft and review legislation impacting the MTA and its members.
• Conduct training both externally and internally.

Skills:
As a Staff Counsel, you will leverage your legal expertise to provide valuable advice and support to our organization on various legal matters. Your analytical skills will be essential in identifying and mitigating legal risks, while your communication abilities will enable you to effectively advocate, negotiate, and mediate legal advice for clients and other stakeholders. Success in this role requires the ability to work both independently and as part of a team and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Additionally, you should have experience in public sector labor law and labor relations and knowledge of state and federal employment laws, including discrimination, whistleblower protections, medical leave, and wage acts. Familiarity with unemployment law, Massachusetts public education laws (from pre-kindergarten through higher education), public sector health insurance and retirement laws, and federal and state constitutional law will also be essential for your role.

We offer a generous benefit package that includes:

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Short-Term Disability and Long-Term Disability
• Pension plan
• 401(k)
• Hybrid schedule
• Paid time off
• Education assistance Program

MTA reserves the right to waive any qualifications at its discretion*

The MTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all staff.

Apply Here: https://www.click2apply.net/egJ48WImLyKqPuzEoF8DJX

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