Associate General Counsel, Labor and Employment

Brooklyn Defender Services (“BDS”) seeks an experienced Associate General Counsel – Labor and Employment to support the BDS legal function and Human Resources Department.

BDS is a public defense office representing low-income New Yorkers in criminal, family, immigration, and civil legal matters. For nearly 30 years, BDS has worked, in and out of court, to protect and uphold the rights of individuals and to change laws and systems that perpetuate injustice and inequality.

BDS represents thousands of people each year who have diverse, complex, and multi-faceted legal needs. In addition to a zealous legal defense, our interdisciplinary teams of attorneys, social workers and advocates provide a wide range of legal and advocacy services, including for housing, public benefits, education, and employment.

The Associate General Counsel, Labor and Employment, will be a member of the General Counsel’s team dedicated to labor and employment issues related to our staff of approximately 750 employees. The successful candidate will be able to provide day-to-day advice to assist BDS in addressing issues that arise as well as working on grievances and other processes.

The position will include the following responsibilities:

• Serve as a subject matter expert for labor and employment matters.
• Partner closely with Human Resources to provide day-to-day legal and practical guidance on employee issues, including employee relations, leaves, accommodations, disciplinary actions, terminations, background checks and visas.
• Manage issues arising under the Organization’s collective bargaining agreement, including grievances and arbitrations. Partner with the general counsel and outside counsel in collective bargaining negotiations.
• Advise Human Resources on issues relating to employee welfare and benefits plans, including the Organization’s 403(b) plan.
• Draft, review, and negotiate separation, severance, and release agreements.
• Work in coordination with General Counsel on employment-related litigation.
• Conduct and/or oversee internal investigations and advise on appropriate remedial action.
• Other tasks as the General Counsel may assign.

Job Requirements: 

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
• Admitted to the New York bar or eligible for admission.
• The candidate must have at least 4 years of experience as an in-house employment attorney or similar position.
• Experience working with a unionized work environment or advising clients with a unionized workforce.
• Supportive of the BDS mission and the clients we represent.
• Ability to operationalize new policies in coordination with upper management, Human Resources and employees of BDS.
• Excellent judgment and discretion, especially regarding confidential and sensitive matters.
• The ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment, respond effectively to challenges, and maintain the highest standards of ethics and integrity.
• Approaches problems practically and is solutions oriented.

Position Information 

This is an exempt, salaried position. The normal schedule is Monday to Friday 9am-5pm. The position is based at BDS’s offices.

BDS determines salary on a pay scale based on education and experience. For this position the salary is dependent on experience, however a four year to eight year experience level should expect between $150,000 and $170,000. BDS offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance and a 403(b) retirement plan. In order to support work/life balance and family-friendly policies, BDS has generous vacation, sick, holiday, family, and medical leave policies.