Associate General Counsel - Litigation & Employment (Labor)

Detroit Public Schools Community District; Detroit (MI); Hybrid; USD 139,000 - 162,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telecommuting up to 20%

Benefits eligible

Job summary

Detroit Public Schools Community District in Detroit, MI seeks an Associate General Counsel – Litigation & Employment (Labor Focus) to guide on labor negotiations, collective bargaining agreements, and employment law matters. The role reports to the General Counsel and supports district administrators and the School Board.

The ideal candidate has a J.D., Michigan bar admission, and 3–7 years of relevant practice, with experience in labor relations, civil litigation, and complex negotiations.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school.
• License to practice law in Michigan (in good standing).
• 3–7 years of practicing attorney experience.
• Experience negotiating CBAs in a K-12 setting preferred.
• Representing clients in Unfair Labor Practice claims and MERC proceedings.
• Experience in civil litigation and appellate work.
• Knowledge of FOIA and privacy statutory compliance (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Lead negotiator for all collective bargaining agreements.
• Coordinate development of contract proposals and review existing contracts.
• Prepare updates for the Superintendent after negotiations.
• Prepare staff materials on new contract provisions.
• Serve as designee in conferences to resolve concerns with staff or union.
• Respond to grievances filed by bargaining units.
• Represent the district in arbitration and in state/federal proceedings.
• Provide legal advice to administrators and governance bodies.

Skills

Negotiation

Litigation

Labor relations

Interpersonal skills

Legal research

Policy interpretation

Education

Juris Doctor

Michigan Bar license

Tools

Westlaw/LexisNexis

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel)

Job description

Job Title

Job Description

Job 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.

DPSCD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability and/or religion. Contact the Civil Rights Coordinator for more information at [phone] or detroitk12.org/compliance.