The Research Foundation for SUNY · 1 week ago
Employment Attorney
The Research Foundation for The State University of New York (RF) is seeking an Employment Attorney with over 6 years of relevant experience. The role focuses on labor and employment law matters, providing legal advice on employee relations, policy development, and representing the RF in litigation and administrative matters.
Responsibilities
Reporting to the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel, lead the legal human resource and employee relations functions and advising corporate and operation location managers on labor and employment law issues, including but not limited to performance and disciplinary matters, accommodations and leave issues, separations, hiring, layoffs and reductions in force, visa and immigration matters, wage and hour issues
Develop and review policies, procedures and handbooks, monitor and communicate legal developments to corporate and operating locations, develop and present labor and employment related training to RF and SUNY campus leaders, managers and employees on issues such as sexual harassment prevention, discrimination, and retaliation prevention and legal updates and developments; labor campaigns, and other relevant topics
Represent the RF in all stages of employment litigation before federal and state courts and administrative agencies, including court appearances, research and prepare briefs, complaints, answers and replies, motions to dismiss, to compel and motions for summary judgment and supporting briefing; discovery, including e-discovery, draft and implement litigation holds, document collection and review for RF litigation and manage outside counsel as needed in litigation matters
Represent the RF in responding to/defending administrative charges, including drafting position statements, responding to information requests, witness preparation, and appearing and presenting evidence at administrative hearings
Represent the RF in arbitrations and mediations and engage in effective dispute resolution
Represent the RF in other litigation matters, including commercial litigation
Counsel RF and SUNY business and academic leadership on a broad range of complex and novel legal, business, and strategic issues, relating to RF work in support of SUNY sponsored activities
Prepare, negotiate, and manage contracts, leases, and other legal documents with contractors, vendors, research sponsors, and governmental entities
Respond to information requests and subpoenas
Conduct and/or assist with conducting internal investigations; work with SUNY counsel on corresponding investigations as needed
Supervise and work effectively with external counsel as appropriate
Promote and support company policies, procedures, mission, values, and standards of ethics and integrity; support the corporation's control environment by helping to identify, assess, and manage legal risks and liabilities, assist with the creation, implementation, and enhancement of corporate processes, polices, and procedures, and partner with business unit leaders to identify and facilitate business process improvement initiatives
Perform other legal and administrative functions to support the RF's strategic and operating plans
Qualification
Required
CEJD from an accredited law school, membership in good standing or eligibility for membership in NY State Bar
A minimum of 6 years of experience, including in-house counsel or related law firm practice
Legal experience focused on employment, litigation, and human resource matters, including knowledge of employment discrimination laws, including but not limited to Title VII, FMLA, ADA, ADEA/OWBPA, FLSA, New York State Human Rights Law, New York Labor Law, New York City Human Rights Law, and other federal, state and local employment laws
Experience with legal research, discovery, document collection, motion drafting, and other matters relating to litigation
Experience with investigations and compliance matters
Proficiency in Microsoft word; competency in PowerPoint and Excel
Excellent judgment, business acumen, and common sense
Strong work ethic, superior organizational skills, and ability to handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment under time constraints and work well independently and as a collaborative team member
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including presentation and training capabilities and ability to relate and work well with people of many cultures, disciplines, and levels of experience
Willingness to travel to campuses in the SUNY system as needed
Confidence and leadership with humility; be self-assured but not self-important
Optimistic attitude that thrives in a dynamic and complex working environment
Ability to accept corrections with grace and a sense of humor
Commitment to the mission of the RF and our goals to benefit SUNY and the State of New York
Preferred
Experience and/or appreciation for issues in representing academic research organizations and/or faculty, researchers, and academic administrators
Company
The Research Foundation for SUNY
The Research Foundation for the State University of New York (RF) is the largest, most comprehensive university-connected research foundation in the country.