Headquarters Counsel

Communications Workers of America, AFL-CIO, (CWA)
District of Columbia

Job Location: CWA Headquarters (Wash., D.C.) - Washington, DC
Remote Type: Hybrid
Position Type: Full Time
Education Level: Graduate Degree
Salary Range: $104,824.00 - $135,141.00 Salary/year
Travel Percentage: Up to 25%
Job Shift: Day
Job Category: Legal

JOB DESCRIPTION
The Communications Workers of America, AFL-CIO, (CWA) is hiring two attorneys for its legal department in Washington, D.C. We welcome applicants at all levels of experience.

CWA is a union of hundreds of thousands of public and private sector workers in communities across the United States—including Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and other U.S. Territories—and Canada. Our members work in telecommunications, technology, the airline industry, manufacturing, news media, broadcast and cable television, education, health care, public service, the video game industry, and other fields. For generations, CWA members have fought to improve our workplaces while articulating a vision for a just, inclusive, and democratic society.

Headquarters Counsel at CWA work to advance the Union’s interests in organizing the unorganized, improving working conditions for our members and all workers, and maintaining our commitment to internal democracy. Our legal work includes advising on issues involving federal and state law, supporting the Union’s regulatory, policy, and legislative agenda; providing counsel on union governance issues; supporting organizing campaigns and bargaining—including handling matters before the National Labor Relations Board; participating in litigation with and without outside counsel; and providing legal support on other matters germane to the proper functioning of the Union.

At CWA, we believe that organizing for bargaining power strengthens our communities by providing workers with the tools to remove systemic barriers that affect the fair and just treatment of working people. CWA works to create a society where members of all races, cultures, religions, sexual orientations, genders, gender identities, disabilities, ages, and nationalities feel welcomed, respected, and heard, and it is for this reason that we seek applications from a diverse pool of candidates, especially from members of historically marginalized communities. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and experiences related to our organizational values to apply.

Duties:

• Advises CWA and its officers and staff concerning legal rights and obligations.
• Provides legal advice to all departments, and assistance to affiliates’ lawyers.
• Drafts amicus briefs and public comments on matters related to CWA’s mission.
• Performs legal research and prepares legal briefs and memoranda.
• Provides legal support for organizing, bargaining, and other strategic campaigns.
• Counsels CWA in matters involving democratic governance and other internal issues.
• Represents CWA in legal proceedings, including in conjunction with outside counsel.
• Conducts legal training.
• Coordinates activities of law clerks and support staff.

Minimum Requirements:

• Graduation from an accredited law school.
• Admission or pending admission to a bar. If a recent law-school graduate, definite plans to take a bar exam as soon as possible.
• Any combination of education and experience that demonstrates commitment to workers’ rights and union-side labor law.
• Ability to collaborate well with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and experiences throughout the union and with counterparts in other unions or allied organizations.

Terms and conditions:

Work Location: Washington, D.C. A hybrid of in-person and from-home work is permitted.
Salary range: $104,824 to $135,141 based on experience.
Excellent benefits include comprehensive health benefits, major medical, dental and vision for employee and eligible dependents, domestic partner benefits, adoption and IVF benefits, holidays and vacation policies, and pension and 401(k) plans.

To apply:

If you feel you have the background and experience to qualify for this position, submit your letter of interest, one writing sample, and three references as one attachment and your resume as a second attachment through this application portal.

CWA is an equal opportunity employer, and, as such, does not discriminate an employee or applicant on the basis of race, creed, color, age, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation, disability, or any other classification protected from discrimination under applicable law.