The Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA) represents over 117,000 members in 400 local associations throughout Massachusetts and employs a full-time staff of over 150. Our members are public school teachers, faculty, professional staff, and education support professionals working at public schools, colleges, and universities. As a member-driven organization and the largest union in New England, our collective power makes MTA an influential voice for educators, students, and their communities. We are proud to advocate for social, racial, and economic justice and a public education system that provides one of the cornerstones of a democratic society.
The Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA) is seeking a General Counsel who is a dynamic leader with both a strong background in labor and education law and a deep commitment to public education, pre-K through higher education, and social and racial justice.
Essential Job Functions:
Ensures the delivery of high-quality legal services to MTA affiliates and members in accordance with the MTA Legal Services Policy.
Provides advice and guides strategy on a wide range of legal issues impacting MTA’s local affiliates and members.
Provides corporate legal advice and counsel to MTA and MTA officers.
Represents MTA with outside groups to implement and advance MTA policies and programs and on legal matters.
Works in harmony with other divisions, staff, officers and members to achieve MTA goals.
Specific Responsibilities:
Directs the day-to-day operation of the Legal Service Division staff and outside attorneys retained to represent MTA affiliates and members and provides legal advice and guidance on legal cases.
Attends all Executive Committee, Board Meetings, Annual Meeting, and provides legal advice and guidance to those bodies.
Hires attorneys and legal support personnel, and negotiates with and retains outside counsel, conducts case reviews, and oversees case handling and billing practices.
Assigns legal cases to staff and outside attorneys and continuously monitors progress and costs.
Determines appropriateness of representation under the Legal Services Policy and provides advice and guidance to MTA Executive Director/Treasurer and the Elected Leadership.
Directly supervises Deputy General Counsel and staff attorneys and, in concert with the Deputy, other legal staff.
Oversees and recommends the budget for the Legal Services Division.
Provides legal advice and assistance to other MTA divisions and personnel and assigns attorneys as appropriate to undertake such legal support.
Drafts and reviews legislative proposals and regulations and assigns attorneys to draft or review same.
Maintains effective relationships with state agencies, executive offices, labor groups, advocacy groups, and statewide education-related associations.
Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
JD from a nationally accredited institution.
Five years of management experience.
Admittance to the Massachusetts Bar or admittance within one year of employment.
Five years of experience in the practice of public sector labor law.
In-depth knowledge of Massachusetts labor and education laws, and other federal and state laws pertaining to the rights, benefits and obligations of employers, employees and employee organizations.
Knowledge and ability to provide advice and counsel to the organization, including its leadership and Board of Directors.
Demonstrated organizational skills and administrative capabilities, including case and time management.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Excellent legal research, analysis, and writing skills.
Experience in case research, case and time management.
Willingness to travel throughout Massachusetts, and on occasion nationally, and work weekends and nights as needed.
Willingness to divest themself from any other practice of law or employment.
*MTA reserves the right to waive any qualifications at its discretion*
The MTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all staff.
