What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Counsel II position at The First Church of Christ, Scientist?
Department: Office of the General Counsel
SUMMARY
The Associate Counsel position provides legal counsel and services to client departments of The First Church of Christ, Scientist (“The Mother Church”) and its affiliate entities, including the Christian Science Publishing Society. This position is part of the Intellectual Property team and provides legal counsel on copyright, trademark and related intellectual property matters across the organization, including managing permissions and licensing activities. The Associate Counsel supports the healing mission of The Mother Church through the delivery of high-quality legal services grounded in the daily practice of Christian Science.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
All Associate Counsel levels perform the following core responsibilities, with complexity, independence, and scope increasing by level:
- Provides legal representation and legal services to client departments.
- Develops and maintains an understanding of client departments’ business operations, goals, and strategic direction and supports those goals by providing practical, solutions-oriented legal advice.
- Advises client departments on legal risk management, anticipates legal issues, and provides timely, responsive guidance.
- Collaborates with in-house counsel and coordinates with outside legal counsel on various legal matters.
- Serves as a liaison between client departments and outside legal counsel, overseeing the scope, quality, and delivery of outside legal services.
- Reviews and analyzes current and proposed statutes, regulations and case law for potential impact on client departments; assists client departments in understanding legal developments and assessing their implications.
- Analyzes facts and applicable law to recommend the advisability of initiating, defending, or resolving litigation or similar legal actions.
- Manages and delegates work to paralegals, legal assistants and other legal support staff, as appropriate.
LEVEL DIFFERENTIATION
Associate Counsel I
- Handles defined legal matters in assigned practice areas under close supervision.
- Develops foundational subject-matter expertise.
- Primarily supports managers and staff-level clients.
Associate Counsel II (Position Level)
- Covers broader and more complex areas of law
- Works with limited supervision and exercises independent legal judgment.
- Regularly advises managers and senior managers
- May provide functional guidance to Associate Counsel I and legal support staff.
Associate Counsel III
- Handles highly complex, sensitive, or organization-wide legal matters.
- May lead or direct the work of other attorneys and legal staff.
- May represent the General Counsel in daily activities of the department.
STAFF MANAGEMENT AND JOB CONTACTS
Reporting Relationships
Supervisor: General Counsel
Supervises: None
Regular Contacts
This position has regular contact with employees, managers, senior managers, outside counsel and professionals.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
Education/Experience
- Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school required.
- Admission to the Bar in at least one U.S. state required.
- Admission to the Massachusetts Bar required, or consistent progress toward admission, , unless registered with the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers and limited to in-house counsel practice for The Mother Church.
Experience requirements vary by level:
Associate Counsel I: 2-5 years of general legal practice, including at least 1 year in relevant practice areas
Associate Counsel II: 5-10 years of general legal practice, including at least2 years in relevant practice areas.
Associate Counsel III: More than 10 years of general legal practice, including at least 3 years in relevant practice areas.
Knowledge/Skills
A demonstrable, thorough knowledge of applicable law and its practical application is required. Intellectual property law (copyright and trademark) experience is a plus. Ability to work collaboratively in a client-focused environment.
Technology Skills
Microsoft Office (MSWord, Excel, Powerpoint) and Google Suite are required. Video conferencing software (e.g., Zoom) skills are a plus.
Work Environment
This position works in the Boston office with an opportunity for a hybrid work schedule.
Engagement with Christian Science
Membership in The Mother Church and Primary Class instruction required.
Pay Range: $130,089 - $169,114.80 annually
The pay ranges disclosed in our job postings are the compensation ranges the Church reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for a given position at the time of posting.
The offered salary will be determined by factors such as the applicant’s relevant education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities; and benchmarking, work location, and internal equity.
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.
Salary : $130,089 - $169,115