Legal Counsel

United Nurses Associations of California
Union of Health Care Professionals

Legal Counsel

Based in California

United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP) is expanding its legal department and seeks an Attorney who is committed to being a part of the labor movement and enforcing the rights of healthcare workers. This is a dynamic position that requires the attorney to collaborate and creatively strategize with UNAC/UHCP staff, affiliate officers, and governing boards on matters related to improving the working conditions of 42,000 healthcare workers in California and Hawaii. 

Who We Are
UNAC/UHCP is made up of 100-plus employees and 40-plus affiliates and growing. We are affiliated with NUHHCE, AFSCME, and the AFL-CIO. UNAC/UHCP is a collegial working environment in which the open and frequent exchange of ideas is encouraged and expected. The legal department comprises three attorneys and an administrative assistant. The legal counsel is part of the UNAC/UHCP leadership team and is a non-union position. This position works under the general direction of, and reports to, the Legal Director. 

Essential Duties Include:

• Managing a substantial and varied caseload that includes arbitrations, unfair labor practice charges before the National Labor Relations Board, and grievance mediations.
• Identifying legal issues and advising on how to address them consistent with the goals and objectives of UNAC/UHCP, its affiliates, and its members. 
• Investigating, researching, and analyzing facts and law to advise UNAC/UHCP governing boards, staff, affiliate officers, and members on issues of labor, employment, and other laws. 
• Negotiating collective bargaining agreements as first chair or as legal advisor.
• Advising staff on collective bargaining issues, contract enforcement, organizing, union finances, and union governance. 
• Prosecuting election petitions before the National Labor Relations Board.
• Providing regular trainings to UNAC/UHCP staff, affiliate officers, and members on labor laws.
• Providing legal review of UNAC/UHCP publications and Know Your Rights communications. 
• Guiding a member-led grievance committee on approving grievances for arbitration.
• Defending the Union against duty of fair representation charges and civil lawsuits.

Minimum Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school. 
• Membership or ability to waive in as a Registered In-House Counsel in the State Bar of California. 
• At least three years’ experience practicing union-side labor law. 
• Ability to write quickly and effectively to a wide variety of audiences including arbitrators, the National Labor Relations Board, employers, UNAC/UHCP staff, and rank-and-file members. 
• Ability to speak persuasively to arbitrators and UNAC/UHCP staff, leaders, members, and unorganized health care professionals on legal topics. 
• Ability to analyze complex legal issues thoroughly and to convey the analysis with precision in writing and verbally. 
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and complex assignments on time. 
• Ability to work with a significant degree of autonomy.
• Ability to obtain a valid California’s driver’s license before starting employment and maintaining it throughout employment. 
• Ability to travel in California and out-of-state for work-related union actions, hearings, events, meetings, and conferences.

Position Location
Based in California, but representation may occur anywhere UNAC/UHCP affiliates and members are located. 

Compensation Package
Pay range is $102.010/hr - 126.887/hr. We provide a comprehensive package including medical and dental benefits for employee and dependents, optical allowance for employee and dependents, life Insurance for employee, defined benefit pension plan, 401K and flexible spending accounts, auto allowance or employer-leased vehicle, education program which includes tuition/course reimbursement and paid time off to take approved courses, vacation, sick leave, holidays, flexible personal time off, plus time off between Christmas day and New Year’s day. 

How to Apply
Submit a cover letter, current résumé, three references, and a 5–10-page writing sample to View email address on unionjobs.com . Please reference “ Legal Counsel ” in the subject line. 

UNAC/UHCP is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, including those who are 40 and over, ancestry, color, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), disability (mental and physical) including HIV and AIDS, marital status, medical condition, genetic expression, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, and any other protected class or activity under California law.

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