Associate Counsel

Location: Los Angeles area, California

About Us: 

The Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR) is the largest house staff union in the United States. We are a local of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), representing over 20,000 resident physicians who are dedicated to improving residency training and education, advancing patient care, and expanding healthcare access for our communities. CIR’s mission is to empower our nation’s interns, residents, and fellows to fight for excellence for our patients.

Job Summary:

The Committee of Interns and Residents/SEIU Healthcare is looking for an Associate Counsel located in Southern California with a demonstrated commitment to the labor movement.   This position reports to the General Counsel.  While the work of the Associate Counsel will focus on matters related to our chapters in California, the Associate Counsel may be called upon to assist on matters arising in other states.

Job Responsibilities:

  • Advise union staff on matters related to our various collective bargaining agreements including grievances and contract interpretation.
  • Represent CIR in arbitration.
  • Represent CIR before the NLRB and California PERB in regard to unfair labor practices and new member organizing. 
  • Represent CIR before other state and federal agencies.
  • Provide support to field staff in collective negotiations.
  • Provide legal advice to CIR regarding union governance, internal labor relations and operational matters.
  • Represent and advise CIR on a broad range of labor and employment law and internal personnel matters.
  • Provide legal review of CIR internal and external written material.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience:

  • Admission to California bar is essential.
  • Minimum 3 years labor law experience working either for a union or law firm that represents unions.  Experience working with highly educated professional union members a plus.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of the National Labor Relations Act, the Meyers Milias Brown Act, HEERA, the California Labor Code, and employment law. 
  • Understanding of the collective bargaining process and contract enforcement.  
  • Ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment.
  • Familiarity with California campaign finance and election law is a plus.
  • Must be detail-oriented and possess excellent legal research and writing skills.
  • Familiarity with immigration law is a plus.
  • Ability to manage conflict and adversarial situations.
  • Ability to build and manage professional relationships and maintain calm under pressure.
  • Ability to regularly travel to worksites throughout Southern California and, as needed,  to worksites in Northern California.
  • Strong planning and time management skills, ability to develop work plans with minimal supervision including prioritizing and managing multiple tasks
  • Excellent listening, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills
  • Effectively plan, prioritize and accomplish work
  • The ability to thrive and operate in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment with quick thinking, energy, humor, flexibility, and above all professionalism
  • Proficiency with Google products such as Gmail and Google Drive (docs & sheets)
  • Must have a valid driver’s license

CIR Offers:

  • This is a full-time, salaried, overtime-exempt position.
  • Competitive salary ($110,000-$120,000) commensurate with experience
  • Excellent benefits package including health, dental and vision coverage with no employee contributions; generous paid leave time including vacation within the first calendar year of employment, paid holidays, personal days, sick days; short and long-term disability insurance; 401(k); defined benefit pension plan; and mileage reimbursement.

To Apply:

In addition to a resume, we require a compelling cover letter that gives us a clear picture of who you are, how you demonstrated success in a similar position and why you want to apply for this position at CIR. Make us want to pick up the phone and set up an interview! Please send your resume and cover letter along with 3 professional references to: jobs@cirseiu.org with the Subject Line: Associate Counsel. 

This job posting may not reflect the complete job description.

CIR is committed to equal opportunity for all employees and applicants and encourages applications from all qualified candidates. As a proud Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE), we do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, religion, sex, sexual stereotyping, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, pregnancy (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), or any other protected category recognized by state, federal or local laws. Please visit our website for more information: www.cirseiu.org.