Assistant General Counsel

Peggy Browning Fund; Ohio; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, dental, and 
ve

Defined benefit pension plan

401(k) with employer contribution

Paid vacation and holidays (11)

Job summary

SMART-TD’s Legal Department provides broad legal support for the Organization and its officers, handling labor and employment matters across rail, transit, and bus industries. Most litigation is managed in-house, with a focus on RLA, NLRA, and LMRDA guidance.

The role involves representing SMART-TD in litigation and regulatory matters, drafting legal documents, and advising leadership on complex employment issues.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• Experience in litigation and labor/employment law preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple matters and priorities under deadlines.
• Strong legal research and writing skills.
• Willingness to travel as required for hearings and meetings.

Responsibilities

• Represent SMART-TD and its officers in litigation, administrative proceedings, regulatory matters, and arbitration.
• Handle all phases of litigation, including pleadings, discovery, motion practice, hearings, trials, and appeals.
• Conduct legal research and prepare memoranda, briefs, and other legal analyses.
• Draft, review, and revise legal documents, correspondence, agreements, and filings.
• Advise officers and leadership on labor and employment matters, CBAs, governance, and related issues.
• Handle matters under Railway Labor Act, NLRA, LMRDA, and related laws.
• Assist with legislative and regulatory matters before agencies.
• Manage assigned matters and ensure deadlines and procedures are met.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Oral advocacy

Multitasking

Communication skills

Negotiation

Education

Juris Doctor degree

Tools

Westlaw

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Summary

SMART-TD’s Legal Department advises and represents the Organization and its officers on a broad range of legal matters related to SMART-TD’s representation of employees in the railroad, transit, and bus industries. The practice includes labor and employment law, litigation, legislative and regulatory matters, and additional practice areas as required by the needs of the Organization. The Department regularly handles matters arising under the Railway Labor Act ("RLA"), National Labor Relations Act ("NLRA"), Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act ("LMRDA"), and other federal and state labor and employment laws. The practice is unique in that the majority of litigation is handled in-house.

Responsibilities

• Representing SMART-TD and its officers in litigation, administrative proceedings, regulatory matters, and arbitration;
• Handling all phases of litigation, including pleadings, discovery, motion practice, hearings, trials, and appeals;
• Conducting legal research and preparing memoranda, briefs, and other legal analyses;
• Drafting, reviewing, and revising legal documents, correspondence, agreements, and filings;
• Advising SMART-TD officers and leadership regarding labor and employment matters, collective bargaining agreements, internal union governance, and other legal issues affecting the Organization and its members;
• Handling matters arising under federal and state law, including the Railway Labor Act, National Labor Relations Act, and Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act;
• Assisting with legislative and regulatory matters before federal and state agencies as needed;
• Managing assigned matters and ensuring compliance with applicable deadlines and procedural requirements; and
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• Admission to practice law and good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction; eligibility for admission in Ohio is preferred.
• Minimum of three years of experience with a reputable law firm, labor organization, government agency, and/or in-house legal department preferred.
• Experience in litigation, labor and employment law, or representation of labor organizations is strongly preferred.
• Excellent legal research, writing, analytical, and oral advocacy skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple matters, prioritize competing deadlines, and work independently.
• Sound professional judgment and the ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with organizational leadership, officers, members, opposing counsel, courts, arbitrators, and government agencies.
• Familiarity with the Railway Labor Act, National Labor Relations Act, Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act, federal court litigation, labor arbitration, collective bargaining, and/or administrative and regulatory practice is a plus.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and legal research platforms, including Westlaw.
• Willingness to travel as necessary for hearings, arbitrations, court appearances, meetings, and other organizational matters.
• Proven self-starter who is able to take ownership of assigned matters with appropriate supervision.

Location

• The office is located in Independence, Ohio.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary commensurate with experience.
• Generous Benefits Package Includes:
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Defined benefit pension plan, 401(k) with employer contribution, and Railroad Retirement benefits.
• Paid vacation, paid time off (PTO) allocation, and 11 observed holidays.