Assistant General Counsel - Santa Monica, United States - RAND

Description

Position Description

The RAND Corporations Office of the General Counsel (OGC) is seeking a highly motivated, professional attorney to join our team as RANDs Assistant General Counsel focusing on Employment, Labor, & Higher Education Law. The Assistant General Counsel role reports directly to the Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary.

The successful candidate will have:

• Experience advising organizations regarding employment law preferably in the context of an organization that contracts with the United States federal government;
• Either (1) experience advising organizations in the areas of traditional labor law and higher education law or (2) interest and willingness to cultivate expertise in these areas.
• Passion for the legal subjects on which the attorney advises;
• Desire and capacity to engage on new and unusual matters; and
• A highly developed ability to work collaboratively and build consensus with a diverse group of highly engaged stakeholders.

About RAND OGC

We are a small, mission-focused department that supports the entire enterprise everything we do is for the purpose of enabling RAND to deliver on its mission. Our highly collaborative approach enables us to confidently provide thoughtful advice on OGCs core functional areas, which include Legal Services, Corporate Governance, Ethics & Compliance, Investigations, and Privacy. While each of our team members has specialist skills, we are each also intellectually curious generalists who engage across the full range of issues and opportunities experienced by RAND.

The Role

Primary responsibilities will include:

• Provide legal advice and counseling to senior management and other RAND Associates in a variety of substantive legal areas: employment law (including international employment law); labor law; litigation (including responses to third party subpoenas); higher education; data and privacy protection; and other areas as required.
• Build and maintain a close advisory relationship with the VP, Human Resources, the VP and Dean, Pardee RAND Graduate School, RANDs Chief Diversity Officer, and their respective leadership teams.
• Provide oversight and day-to day management of employment litigation, administrative claims, and subpoenas.
• Proactively identify potential areas of vulnerability and risk for the organization and work with relevant stakeholders to design and implement solutions.
• Task and direct outside counsel as required.
• Lead investigations.
• Advise staff on compliance with applicable laws and regulations; and
• Other special projects assigned by the General Counsel.

Qualifications

Required:

• At least six (6) years of experience as a practicing attorney with substantive experience in employment law;
• Detail-oriented, works well under pressure, and has an affinity for RANDs Mission;
• Proven problem-solver who takes ownership of assigned areas of responsibility;
• Demonstrated ability to confidently provide sound judgment even in ambiguous situations;
• Collaborative, collegial, and skilled at building consensus with diverse professional groups;
• Drive for continuous improvement and interest in building systems and practices that enable agility throughout the organization;
• Demonstrated desire to take on increasing levels of responsibility and confidence to engage in novel legal issues that may be outside prior experience; and
• Ability to travel occasionally to other RAND offices (primarily in the U.S.).

Preferred:

• Extensive knowledge and experience in California employment law is strongly preferred; Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts are a plus.
• Substantive experience in traditional labor law, particularly collective bargaining, advising HR on contract interpretation/administration; grievance arbitration.
• Substantive experience in academic law applicable to graduate schools;
• Experience interacting with government agencies, such as EEOC, DFEH, DOL, and OFCCP;
• Demonstrated ability to effectively use and manage outside counsel and vendors; and
• Experience working:
• with or for a federal government contractor;
• in an employment department of a law firm, and/or
• in a related role at a graduate school or other higher education environment.

Education & Licensing

J.D. and licensed to practice law (in good standing). Licensure in California is a plus. If not licensed to practice law in the California, must qualify under the requirements for Registered In-House Counsel for the State of California.

Security Clearance

The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Security Clearance and DHS Fitness is required for this position. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Security Clearance. An active U.S. Government Security Clearance is preferred, but not required.

Location

This role will be based at RANDs Santa Monica, CA (Los Angeles area) headquarters and is eligible for RANDs hybrid work environment, which enables a blend of on-site and remote work. Given the nature of this role, Candidates should expect to work from a RAND office (on average) about three days per week.

Diversity at RAND

Diversity, equity, and inclusivity are essential operating principles at RAND. We are committed to maintaining a collegial environment that respects the contributions and dignity of all staff, where individual differences are recognized, appreciated, and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each persons talents and strengths. This commitment is guided by an organization-wide framework for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, and paired with significant investments to sustain and center these principles in leadership, research, and community and stakeholder engagement, which includes a staff advisory council and employee resource groups.

Salary Range

$165,800 258,900

RAND considers a variety of factors when formulating an offer, including, but not limited to, the specific role and associated responsibilities; a candidates work experience, education/training, skills, and expertise; and internal equity. In addition, RAND provides strong benefits, including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, a savings plan, paid time off, and more.

Equal Opportunity Employer: race/color/religion/sex/sexual orientation/gender identity/national origin/disability/vet