Associate In-House Counsel

Catholic Diocese of Dallas; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The Catholic Diocese of Dallas seeks an Associate In-House Counsel to aid the Office of the Chancellor and act as legal counsel for diocesan administration, schools, parishes, and related entities. Key duties include drafting and reviewing contracts, supporting human resources, and overseeing the Safe Environment Program, fingerprinting policy updates, and compliance.

A Texas-licensed J.D. from an ABA-accredited school is required, with about five years of experience preferred and a working

Qualifications

• Must be an excellent legal researcher and writer.
• Capacity to work with multiple diocesan offices and on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Appreciation of the hierarchy of the Catholic Church and its administration.
• Robust understanding of canon law and the magisterium of the Church.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal counsel and support to diocesan offices and parishes.
• Support the Catholic Schools Office on accreditation and TEFA compliance.
• Oversee the Safe Environment Office, updating the Safe Environment Policy and fingerprinting policy.
• Review contracts and agreements and advise during times of conflict.
• Provide legal oversight for real estate and construction projects.
• Assist the Chancellor as civil and canonical counsel to the Diocesan Bishop and collaborate with the General Counsel.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Canon law

Education

J.D. from ABA accredited law school

Job description

General Summary of the Position

The Associate In-House Counsel aids the Office of the Chancellor, especially as legal counsel and in oversight of the Safe Environment Program. The Associate In-House Counsel will aid other Pastoral Center offices as well as parishes and other diocesan entities, at the direction of the Chancellor and the Diocesan General Counsel, in the completion of legal work necessary for administration in the Diocese.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities of the Position

• – Provide legal counsel and support (research, drafting, reviewing of contracts and other agreements) to diocesan offices (especially the Office of Human Resources, the Business Office, and the Office of Construction)
• – Support the Catholic Schools Office, especially as concerns accreditation requirements and TEFA compliance
• – Oversee the diocesan Safe Environment Office, managing the updating of the Safe Environment Policy (including the diocesan fingerprinting policy), and ensuring consistent compliance throughout the Diocese
• – Provide legal counsel and requested support to parishes and other diocesan entities, particularly in reviewing contracts and other agreements and in giving instruction during times of conflict
• – Provide legal oversight for diocesan, parish, and other diocesan entity real estate and construction projects
• – Support the Chancellor in his role as civil and canonical counsel to the Diocesan Bishop
• – Collaborate with and support the diocesan General Counsel
• – Other duties as assigned

Position Requirements

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• – Must be an excellent legal researcher and writer
• – Must have the capacity to work with multiple diocesan offices and on multiple diocesan projects simultaneously
• – Must have an appreciation of the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, especially with respect to its administration
• – Must have a robust understanding of canon law and the magisterium of the Church

Education and Experience

• – Must possess a J.D. from an ABA accredited law school
• – Must be licensed to practice law in the State of Texas
• – Preferred experience working with the Catholic Church, especially with a diocese
• – Preferred experience working in employment law and/or real property law
• – Approximately five years of experience preferred

Special Requirements

• – Must be available to respond to emergencies or urgencies outside of regular office hours
• – Must be a practicing Catholic with thorough knowledge and understanding of Catholic teachings

DO NOT REMOVE

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of the duties and responsibilities of the position. The duties and responsibilities of the position may be changed at the sole discretion of the Diocese of Dallas – Pastoral Center.

The Diocese of Dallas – Pastoral Center reserves the right to modify this job description without notice to the employee. This job description is not a contract and does not alter the employee’s at-will employment status.