What are the responsibilities and job description for the Staff Counsel (Office of General Counsel) position at National Education Association (NEA)?

If you would enjoy working in a dynamic environment and are looking for an opportunity to become part of a stellar team of professionals, we invite you to apply online today.

Posting Period :

February 18, 2025 - Until Filled

Employee Group Type :

NEAMAC NEA Managers, Attorneys, Confidentials

Position Type : Regular

Salary Range :

139,604.00 - $198,321.00

Position Details :

The National Education Association (NEA) is America's oldest and largest labor organization with some 3 million members. The mission of the NEA is to unite our members and the nation to fulfill the promise of public education by preparing every student to succeed in a diverse and interdependent world.

NEA seeks an attorney to join our sixteen-member legal team in the NEA Office of General Counsel. The widely varied work of the NEA Office of General Counsel includes all of the following :

Significant amicus work before the U.S. Supreme Court, significant appellate litigation in the federal and state court systems, and litigation before federal and state trial courts on cases of cross-cutting national significance. NEA's current docket, for example, includes challenges to state censorship laws and state voucher laws, challenges to the repeal of due process protections for teachers and the repeal of collectively bargained rights and organizing protections, defenses of exclusive representation and freedom of association, and enforcement of student and educator civil rights.
Providing in-house counsel to NEA's elected leadership and staff as well as to state and local education associations on an array of matters including organizing campaigns and union governance issues, walk-outs, protections for educator advocacy in and outside of school, internal union operations, non-profit regulation, campaign finance, lobbying, data security and privacy, intellectual property and contracts.
Representing the views of NEA on federal initiatives impacting NEA, NEA affiliates, and their members and leaders including federal education, labor, wage and hour, civil rights, immigration, federal judicial nominations and federal courts issues.
Assisting NEA state affiliates in their provision of direct legal services to NEA members . Among other things, that assistance includes providing regular updates to, and holding an annual education conference for the National Organization of Lawyers for Educational Associations ("NOLEA"), a national network of lawyers representing school employees and their associations.
Providing counsel to NEA regarding affiliate relationships, tools for improving the representation of NEA members, tools to assist NEA members in their advocacy work and legal guidance needed to support affiliate and member advocacy.

Responsibilities : Given the nature of the work of the NEA Office of General Counsel, and the responsibilities of this position in particular, applicants should be interested in a position in which they will :

Provide advice and counsel regarding internal union operations, campaigns and elections compliance, nonprofit regulation, tax issues, human resource issues and complex corporate and nonprofit organization issues including data security and privacy, intellectual property and contracts.

Provide legal review, advice and counsel, regarding the array of legal issues that an in-house counsel operation must handle in a major national union including relationships with affiliates, subsidiaries and other organizations.

Develop and present trainings on a wide variety of legal issues and skills for state affiliate counsel, as well as for NEA and state and local leaders and staff.

Monitor and analyze legal developments of interest to NEA and its members, including legal review and analysis of federal laws and regulations, and provide regular updates on developments of interest to NOLEA and others.

Provide guidance on enterprise-wide risk and compliance issues for NEA and affiliates

Assist with other legal matters (internal and external) as needed.

Qualifications :

J.D. from an accredited law school required.

Five or more years of legal practice required with preference given to significant advice and counsel work with unions or other nonprofit organizations, including experience with campaign finance, lobbying and other regulatory issues facing unions and other nonprofit organizations.

Excellent oral and written advocacy and communication skills required, including significant writing experience, expertise in advising on complex nonprofit organization issues, or similar significant work.

Demonstrated ability to accurately analyze and resolve the range of legal issues that an in-house counsel operation must handle in a major national union including its relationships with affiliates, subsidiaries and partner organizations.

Must be willing and able to serve as a generalist providing advice and counsel on operations matters as needed.

Ability to provide leadership in evaluating risk and compliance issues and advocating for organization-wide risk management strategies

Demonstrated commitment to labor and public education work preferred.

Ability to perform complex legal analytical work, to design innovative legal strategies and to work collaboratively required.

Self-motivated and able to manage a variety of tasks concurrently.

Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as to collaborate in a collegial environment.

Healthy respect for colleagues, employees, and superiors.

A sense of humor.

This position is a DC-based position with NEA's headquarters building serving as the central workplace. Individuals who are hired for certain positions may request approval for telework in accordance with the policies and guidelines for the staff unit to which the position is assigned. Approval must be authorized by the respective manager, and NEA Executive Director, if required. For additional information contact NEA Human Resources.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the following is provided : The position involves skill in using a computer and / or laptop; oral and written communication skills; skills in proofreading and editing; use of clear and articulate speech; interpersonal relations skills; reasoning and problem-solving skills; ability to work in a fast-paced environment; ability to sit for long periods, stoop, bend, reach and carry light materials (up to 10 lbs.); and ability to travel by various methods of transportation, e.g., airplane, car.

NEA is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer and encourages applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, or disability. Know Your Rights : Workplace Discrimination is Illegal. To apply for this position or to search for other openings, please go to our jobs page at Careers at NEA (myworkdayjobs.com)

NEA Participates in E-Verify. Read more here E-Verify Participation & Right to Work.

NEA complies with the DC Wage Transparency Act of 2023.

Salary : $139,604 - $198,321

Apply for this job

Receive alerts for other Staff Counsel (Office of General Counsel) job openings

Staff Counsel (Office of General Counsel)

What are the responsibilities and job description for the Staff Counsel (Office of General Counsel) position at National Education Association (NEA)?

What is the career path for a Staff Counsel (Office of General Counsel)?

Job openings at National Education Association (NEA)

Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Staff Counsel (Office of General Counsel) jobs in the Washington, DC area that may be a better fit.

We don't have any other Staff Counsel (Office of General Counsel) jobs in the Washington, DC area right now.

AI Assistant is available now!