Job Description

About Us:

1199SEIU Benefit and Pension Funds provide comprehensive health and retirement benefits to thousands of union members and their families. We are committed to delivering exceptional service and ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Join our team and make an impact in a mission-driven organization that values integrity, collaboration, and professional growth.

About the Role:

We are seeking an experienced Assistant General Counsel to join our legal team. This role involves representing the Funds in benefit litigation, providing counsel on ERISA compliance, and advising on labor and employment matters. The ideal candidate is proactive, detail-oriented, and skilled in litigation strategy and negotiation.

Responsibilities :

• Represent the Funds in various benefit litigation matters in federal and state courts.
• Provide legal support on qualified plan issues for multi-employer health plans and defined benefit plans, in compliance with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), the Internal Revenue Code, and other relevant federal statutes and regulations.
• Provide legal support in all areas regarding labor and employment matters involving Funds staff, including:
• Defending the Funds before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the NYS Division of Human Rights, the NYC Commission of Human Rights, and the National Labor Relations Board.
• Negotiating and advising on the terms of the collective bargaining agreement with the staff union and defending the Funds in labor arbitrations.
• Defending the Funds in pre-trial employment litigation matters, including taking and defending depositions.
• Providing counsel regarding federal, state and local employment laws.
• Providing counsel regarding staff deferred compensation plans.
• Review relevant communications to members and employers for legal issues and accuracy.
• Participate in professional development and other assigned projects.

Qualifications :

• Juris Doctorate Degree; admitted to practice in New York State required, New Jersey a plus.
• Minimum of five (5) years relevant experience or demonstrated interest in the relevant practice areas, or three (3) years trial experience required.
• Ability to strategize for litigation initiated against the Funds, respond timely to court deadlines, manage all discoveries, including drafting and responding to discovery requests, taking depositions, and witness preparation, perform oral arguments at motion hearings
• In-house experience preferred but not required.
• Excellent understanding of legal principles as they relate to federal and state court procedures.
• Excellent writing and legal reasoning skills are essential.
• Ability to work well as part of a team and interact with non-legal operational staff and outside counsel.
• Superb initiative, ability and desire to work independently and assertively.
• Ability to travel to courts in various counties, occasionally during the evening.
• Ability to work with and communicate effectively with staff, trustees, and other professionals.
• Strongly Desired: Knowledge of laws, regulations, and decisions affecting Funds’ operations; Knowledge of ERISA and regulations affecting Taft-Hartley multi-employer benefit plans; Ability to attend out-of-state conferences.

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