Senior Counsel, Labor and Employment - Oakland, CA
This position in the labor and employment practice area provides advice to a diverse client base concerning the University's 200,000-plus workforce. This position works with systemwide and campus human resources, academic personnel, compliance, and risk management staff. Independently handles a full range of legal matters and projects, to include the most complex and that of substantial importance and impact. Interprets complex facts and the law in areas of high ambiguity. Drafts, reviews, and revises a variety of documents, such as policies, contracts, advice memoranda, and agency submissions. Conducts client trainings and prepares legal updates. Provides functional advice, training and/or guidance to less-experienced attorneys and legal support staff. May act as a liaison with outside counsel, and/or represent the University in regulatory proceedings, including administrative hearings before labor and employment agencies and employment-related government audits and investigations.
This position requires substantial knowledge of federal and state labor and employment laws including state and federal wage and hour laws, state and federal equal employment opportunity laws, leave of absence laws, traditional labor law, privacy, First Amendment, and whistleblower issues. The position requires an ability to independently handle a full range of legal matters and projects in the labor and employment area, deliver functional advice to clients regarding risk assessment and liability, and build and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with clients and colleagues.
By practicing UC Legal's established values, this position contributes to a workplace that is collaborative, supportive, respectful of differences, and committed to fairness and diversity in all interactions, both within and outside the team. It also supports UC Legal's commitment to increasing and maintaining diversity in the legal profession.
Required Qualifications
- Typically requires eight (8) years employment and/or labor law experience in a law firm, or in-house counsel for an academic institution, corporation or other entity, although exceptional experience with fewer years of practice will be considered.
- Excellent abilities in collaboration, facilitation, and strategic and creative thinking with UC Legal colleagues, clients, and outside counsel.
- Thorough understanding of highly complex legal issues and ability to foresee implications, even when ambiguous or hidden.
- Advanced interpersonal communication skills, including proven ability to actively listen, negotiate, persuade and educate.
- Advanced written communication skills and ability to create and deliver effective materials and/or presentations appropriate to a particular audience.
- Skills to gain trust and build credibility with a broad group of colleagues and clients, including senior leaders.
- Effective research skills; ability to readily identify material and relevant information.
- Proven decision-making ability, even when the decision is unpopular, earning credibility and support from colleagues.
- Commitment to the highest ethical standards.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion and tact when handling sensitive or potentially sensitive issues.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in a higher education setting.
Education
- Must possess a J.D. from an accredited law school.
License/Certifications
- Must be a member in good standing of the California Bar.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS
SALARY AND BENEFITS
Salary: Commensurate with experience
Benefits: For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit: Benefits of Belonging
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