Associate Counsel

JOB DESCRIPTION

Overview /Objective

The Associate Counsel will report to the Senior Vice President, Labor Relations and be responsible for development, negotiation and administration of the NFL-NFLPA collective bargaining agreement, including representing the league and clubs in litigation under those CBAs. The holder of this position will represent the league in grievance hearings and arbitrations brought by or against the NFL and supervise outside counsel in the litigation of such matters. This Associate Counsel will be responsible for the administration and enforcement of player discipline policies, including periodically reviewing and updating all policies, drafting discipline notices and assisting in investigations of potential violations. This critical role will require strong investigative and advocacy skills, and the ability to spot and solve issues related to league policies.

Responsibilities

• Acquire and demonstrate substantive mastery of the CBA and league policies regulating the conduct of clubs and players.
• Litigate grievances on behalf of the league and member clubs under the collective bargaining agreement with the NFL Players Association.
• Provide counsel to the league and clubs regarding rights and obligations under the CBA, the Salary Cap system, Player Personnel rules, and other collectively bargained league rules.
• Provide counsel to league Labor Operations and player personnel staff and clubs regarding salary cap-related issues, work rules, roster transactions, and other labor operations matters.
• Assist in the investigation of potential player policy violations and litigate hearings to enforce compliance with our policies.
• Prepare legal memoranda for clubs regarding policy obligations.
• Draft and review policy directives for NFL players and Clubs.
• Interact with outside law firms, consultants and others involved in the administration of the CBA, policies and/or litigation.
• Assist in negotiations with the NFL Players Association.
• Independently develop and maintain working relationships with club counsel and NFLPA representatives.

Required Qualifications

• Law Degree (J.D.); Minimum 3 to 5 years of litigation experience at a top law firm or federal government agency.
• Experience conducting and maintaining a docket of litigation matters and internal investigations.
• Experience appearing in court or similar setting, interviewing senior executives and drafting investigatory findings.
• Experience deposing and cross-examining witnesses.
• Experience making presentations to large groups of senior executives.
• Familiarity with NFL and other sports labor relations history.

Physical Demands

• N/A

Travel

• N/A

Salary / Pay Range

This job posting contains a pay range, which represents the range of salaries or hourly rates that the NFL believes, in good faith, at the time of this posting that it might be willing to pay for the posted job in the location(s) specified. The NFL expects to hire for this position near the middle of the range. Only in truly rare and exceptional circumstances, where an external candidate has experience, credentials or expertise that far exceed those required or expected for the position, would the NFL consider paying a salary or rate near the higher end of the range.

Terms / Expected Hours of Work

• FSLA Exempt
• NFL employees are required to work 40 hours per week.