Associate General Counsel

The Committee of Interns and Residents/SEIU Healthcare (CIR/SEIU) represents more than 20,000 resident physicians in California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York and Washington, D.C., in both the private and public sectors. CIR/SEIU’s mission is to build a strong national union for resident physicians that embraces our core values of advocacy, community, learning and service to improve the lives of our members and the health care of our patients and communities. 

Position Summary

The Associate General Counsel is responsible for providing legal advice and representation in all aspects of CIR/SEIU’s mission. The Associate General Counsel is responsible for providing strategic advice and representation to the union in a wide range of matters, including matters before the National Labor Relations Board, state labor boards and other administrative agencies, as well as new organizing, collective bargaining, arbitrations and grievances, internal personnel matters, union governance, and general union operations.

Accountability and Authority

The Associate General Counsel reports directly to the General Counsel. The Associate General Counsel works closely with CIR/SEIU staff in their representation of the union’s members.     

Responsibilities

  • Represent the union at the National Labor Relations Board, state labor boards and other administrative agencies and provide strategic advice regarding such work.  In addition, where appropriate, work closely with outside counsel in such representation.
  • Lead in proactive and defensive litigation in courts and at administrative agencies, including negotiating settlements.
  • Advise CIR staff on the range of legal issues affecting their areas of responsibility, including organizing, contract campaigns and arbitrations.
  • Review and approve memoranda and correspondence for execution by Directors, and other employees as applicable.
  • Advise CIR/SEIU regarding internal governance, union elections and personnel matters, as well as general organizational and operational matters.
  • Monitor developments in a wide range of legal areas, including organizing and workers rights, report on legal developments to appropriate parties and provide advice proactively and on request regarding a broad range of law, in particular labor and employment law.
  • Provide legal support for the political program of the union.
  • Participate in and provide advice to staff regarding collective bargaining and contract language.
  • Represent and advise union in arbitrations. 
  • Draft, review and advise on proposed legislation, regulations and other policy initiatives.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications, Experience, Skills

Must have a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school, a minimum of 10 years experience as a labor and employment attorney, be admitted to the New York State Bar, show substantial accomplishments in handling litigation and in areas of substantive law important to the Union, including preparation and trial of NLRB cases, and contract arbitrations. In addition, the following knowledge, skills and abilities are necessary:

  • Ability to independently conduct, analyze and synthesize legal research and to convey the results of analysis with clarity in writing and orally.
  • Excellent communication skills, both oral and written; ability to present persuasive oral advocacy, and to write clear and cogent briefs, memoranda and reports.
  • Knowledge of laws and regulations governing health care workers, patient care, and health systems.
  • Extremely well-organized and detail-oriented; strong time – and case-management skills.
  • Capable of handling multiple, complex assignments; managing a substantial and varied caseload with multiple priorities and reliably meeting deadlines.
  • Knowledge of union organizing practices and principles and of labor laws in private and public sectors.
  • Knowledge of immigration law a plus.
  • Knowledge of physician licensing, credentialing and medical boards is a plus.
  • Ability to effectively interact and communicate with staff, officers, leaders, and members, as well as with representatives of employers and public agencies.
  • Ability to effectively work and communicate with people from diverse backgrounds.
  • Ability to travel and work long hours when necessary.

We offer a competitive salary ($135,000-$150,000) commensurate with experience.

CIR/SEIU offers 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.

In addition to a resume, we require a cover letter, custom written for the position, which gives a clear picture of who you are and explains your experience. Please reply to jobs@cirseiu.org with the subject line: Associate General Counsel.

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.