Job DescriptionJob Title Position Title: Associate General Counsel - Litigation & Employment (Labor)
Location: Fisher Building
Salary Range: $138,636 - $162,000
Reports to: General Counsel
Bargaining Unit: N/A
Benefits Eligible: Yes
Telecommuting Eligibility: Eligible for telecommuting up to 20% (one day per week)
Position Summary: An Associate General Counsel, Litigation and Employment (Labor Focus) provides legal guidance to the General Counsel, Superintendent, School Board and school district administrators on litigation and administrative matters regarding but not limited to: (i) labor negotiations; and (ii) labor relations.
An Associate General Counsel, Litigation and Employment (Labor Focus) must have an active and extensive understanding of (or a demonstrated aptitude and willingness to quickly learn) the above facets of law. An Associate General Counsel, Litigation and Employment should possess expert interpersonal relationship, critical thinking, organizational, writing and researching skills. Also, must exhibit high attention to detail, the ability to prioritize tasks, initiative and a willingness to complete varied tasks.
Minimum Qualifications: - Law Degree (Juris Doctor) from an accredited law school (Required).
- License in good standing to practice law in the State of Michigan (Required).
- Three (3) to seven (7) years of experience as a practicing attorney to include experience working in a law firm, corporation, governmental agency, non-profit business, school district or institution of higher learning.
- Demonstrated experience negotiating collective bargaining agreements and letters of understanding in a K-12 setting preferred.
- Representing clients in proceedings regarding Unfair Labor Practice claims and/or before Michigan Employment Relations Commission and other tribunals.
- Experience in civil litigation (researching, drafting and arguing pleadings from complaint/answer, discovery and depositions, trial and appeal).
- Experience with statutory construction, research, review and interpretation.
- Experience using computer-based legal research systems ( e.g., Westlaw or LexisNexis) and knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, including but not limited to Word and Excel.
- Experience working with and supervising outside counsel (preferred).
- Strong interpersonal, excellent verbal and written communication skills and executive presence necessary to effectively interact with Board Members, Superintendent, senior level managers, individuals throughout the school system and individuals external to the school district.
- Experience with Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and other privacy statutory compliance (preferred).
- Experience with Freedom of Information Act and other statutory compliance (preferred).
- Ability to quickly and accurately respond to school-based issues and questions (preferred).
Essential Functions : Serve as a lead negotiator for all collective bargaining agreements. Coordinate the development of contract proposals; reviews and analyzes existing contracts. Prepares and presents frequent updates on negotiations for the Superintendent or his designees after presentation to the General Counsel. Prepare materials for staff information and implementation relative to new provisions in the agreements negotiated with all bargaining units. Serve as the Superintendent's designee in holding special conferences to inform or bring resolution to concerns relative to specified issues as identified by either staff or the union. Respond to grievances filed by the various collective bargaining units. Represent the district in arbitrations filed by bargaining units or individuals. Represent the district in responding to charges filed through the Michigan Employment Relations Commission. Represent the district in responding to inquiries from the Michigan Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division. Monitor the facilitation and the implementation of decisions arising out of grievances, arbitration decisions or court determinations. Prepare responses to inquiries concerning contract interpretation, Board policy, past practice and legal issues relating to employment law. Provide legal advice and counsel to administrators. Represent the District in administrative hearings and/or litigation before state and federal tribunals. Prepare, drafts, review all pleadings and submit same to General Counsel for approval before filing. Negotiate, prepare, draft, review agreements (MOUs, MOAs, LOUs, LOAs and CBAs, etc .) relating to the school district - and submit recommendation to the General Counsel for approval of all such agreements. Review and interpret statutes and regulations. Provide oral legal advice and written legal opinions to the General Counsel, senior management, and Superintendent and/or School Board. Work in a harmonious and collaborative relationship with the Labor Relations Department and all human resources departments to effectuate Board policies. Draft and review FOIA response. Review documents, policies, regulations, action items within the school district for accuracy, consequences and legal policy implications on an ongoing basis and communicate concerns regarding such on a prompt basis to the General Counsel. Perform additional duties as assigned by the General Counsel (or Designee). Security Clearance: Internal Applicants
If you are a current Detroit Public Schools Community District employee, you do not have to submit to a new security clearance, unless your new role requires a different type of criminal background check.
External Applicants
In alignment with Michigan law, if you are hired to fill a position, you will be required to submit to a Detroit Public Schools Community District criminal background check. Information regarding required background checks will be shared at point of hire.
Method of Application: Applicants must apply through the online application system. Only applications submitted through the online application system will be considered for any posted position and all applications require a resume to be considered.
Successful candidates are required to submit official transcript(s) at point of offer to hire. Teaching service outside of the Detroit Public Schools Community District must be verified by the applicant's prior employer(s) prior to hire. It is the applicant's responsibility to provide all documentation (including copies) as requested.
Applicants requesting assistance during the application process should contact the Office of Human Resources via email at [email protected] or phone at (313) 873-6897.
