Staff Attorney

Position: Staff Attorney
Assignment: Detroit Office
Salary Range: $62,640.96 - $91,958.64

JOB SUMMARY:
This position provides legal representation and advice to the officers, managers, and staff of the International Union, and to AFSCME councils and locals throughout the state. The Staff Attorney will be expected to provide strategic legal advice on a broad range of legal issues, including federal and state labor law in both the public and private sectors and internal union governance, such as internal elections, and administratorships.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES: (Examples provide a general summary of the work required and should not be treated as a total and complete list of expected duties to be performed by the Staff Attorney.)

  • Advises AFSCME and its affiliates, officers, managers, and staff concerning legal rights, obligations, and privileges.
  • May supervise outside counsel in their representation of AFSCME and its affiliates and members before courts and administrative agencies and may be called upon to provide such representation.
  • Examines legal data to determine advisability of defending or prosecuting a lawsuit and may serve as agent in various transactions.
  • Provides legal assistance to AFSCME affiliates on issues arising out of internal union matters including jurisdictional disputes under the AFL-CIO constitution and union security issues, and objections by non-members to payment of certain fees.
  • Performs legal research and prepares legal briefs and memoranda.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

DIRECTION AND DECISION MAKING:
Work is performed with wide latitude for the exercise of independent professional judgment and action under the general direction of the General Counsel.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Graduation from an accredited law school; relevant legal experience, admission to bar and membership in good standing; and any combination of education and experience which provides the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

  • Ability to advise GC, officers, affiliates, and other member clients concerning internal affairs.
  • Ability to confer with colleagues in areas of specialty to establish and verify basis for legal proceedings.
  • Ability to interpret laws rulings and regulations affecting labor unions.
  • Knowledge of labor unions and labor law.
  • Ability to supervise and coordinate activities of subordinate legal and office personnel.
  • Ability to prepare legal briefs, develop strategy and arguments and prepare for presentation.
  • Ability to represent clients in court and other administrative proceedings.
  • Knowledge of Lexis and/or Westlaw.
  • Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
  • Strong writing skills required.
  • Must be committed to social and economic justice.
  • Must possess a valid driver’s license.
  • Ability to travel and work extended hours.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

  • Must be able to work at desk/computer for extended periods of time.
  • Must be able to have repetitive wrist/hand/finger movement to work on computer and/or related office equipment.
  • Position requires continual mental concentration and specific attention to detail.
  • May be required to reach, bend, stoop, and handle objects with hands and/or fingers, talk and/or hear, and see.
  • Position requires light to moderate work with 20 (twenty) pounds maximum weight to lift and carry.

TO APPLY: Submit Cover letter and Resume to:
Kfloyd@miafscme.org
or
AFSCME Michigan 925
ATTN: Kimberly Floyd, Human Resources
826 Municipal Way
Lansing, MI 48917