Counsel I

This is a Full Time Job

POSITION PURPOSE:

To protect the interests of SAG and its members by enforcing SAG contracts through arbitration and state/federal litigation; to provide timely and detailed advice to SAG departments regarding issues that implicate state and/or federal law, federal labor law, and SAG contractual negotiations; to participate in contract negotiations and, where appropriate, to negotiate certain provisions within such contracts on behalf of SAG; to support the Board of Directors and Member Committees by providing legal advice and formal opinions.


ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
(This section provides a general summary of the most significant job duties performed. It does not explain in detail every single duty performed.)

Litigation
• Manage caseload of arbitration matters (both simple and complex), concerning contract and NLRA-related member grievances against signatory producers and distributors;
• Represent SAG and its members in state and federal court regarding various litigation matters, including but not limited to disputes between members and producers/distributors/agents, based on state and federal law, and SAG contracts;
• Represent SAG in administrative proceedings, and state and federal court regarding litigation brought by or against the Guild, including but not limited to disputes with members, vendors, and/or employees;

Advising Departments
• Advise departments as to legal rights pursuant to relevant contracts (e.g., non-disclosure agreements, real-estate documents, etc.), state and federal law (labor and otherwise), and other legally relevant issues (HR-related issues, website privacy policy, etc.);
• Advise SAG board of directors and Member committees on issues related to labor laws, SAG contracts, and other matters that may implicate state and federal law;
• Prepare legal opinions and documents that interpret applicable laws, rulings (arbitration and other), the SAG constitution and contracts, and various regulations related to applicable law;
• Prepare agreements and contracts pursuant to departmental requests;
• Conduct legal and factual research regarding specific departmental issues;
• Assess internal documents, policies, etc., for legal compliance, and advise SAG personnel appropriately;

Negotiations and Advice
• Negotiate terms and provisions of various contracts (i.e., vendor contracts, etc.);
• Resolve informally disputes between SAG (for itself and on behalf of SAG members) and third parties, in an effort to preempt litigation;
• Provide general information and assistance to SAG members in areas related to their work under SAG collective bargaining agreements;

Legal Secretary/Interns
• Supervise, direct and develop support staff.
• Administer year-round internship program, monitor work flow and assignments given to interns, supervise work product of interns, and evaluate performance.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:
(The individual must possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities and be able to explain and demonstrate that he or she can perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities.)


• Able to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing
• Negotiating skills, able to negotiate with tact and diplomacy
• Able to use PC applications
• Detail oriented
• Able to work under deadlines
• Able to work under pressure
• Able to work independently
• Able to successfully deal with irate, hostile, and/or difficult personalities
• Proficient on Lexis Nexis
• Superlative interpersonal skills—must be able to cultivate strategic and collaborative relationships internally and externally.
• Capable of taking direction from more than one supervisor
• Must be able to work in a very stressful environment where constructive feedback from others is encouraged
• Must maintain regular and acceptable attendance at such level as is determined at SAG’s sole discretion
• Must be available and willing to work such overtime or extended hours per day or per week, including weekends and holidays, as SAG determines is necessary to meet its business needs
• Must be available and willing to travel to such locations and with such frequency as the SAG determines is necessary or desirable to meet its business needs




MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and/or Experience:

A Juris Doctor or LLB degree from an ABA accredited law school or equivalent and at least one year experience as a practicing attorney or equivalent experience. Litigation experience preferred.

Certificates, licenses, and/or registrations:
Active membership in the State Bar of California


ABOUT THE SCREEN ACTORS GUILD
Screen Actors Guild is the nation’s largest labor union representing working actors. Established in 1933, SAG has a rich history in the American labor movement, from standing up to studios to break long-term engagement contracts in the 1940s to fighting for artists’ rights amid the digital revolution sweeping the entertainment industry in the 21st century. With 20 branches nationwide, SAG represents nearly 120,000 actors who work in film and digital television programs, motion pictures, commercials, video games, music videos, industrials and all new media formats. The Guild exists to enhance actors’ working conditions, compensation and benefits and to be a powerful, unified voice on behalf of artists’ rights. SAG is a proud affiliate of the AFL-CIO. Headquartered in Los Angeles, you can visit SAG online at SAG org.