Who We Are

SAG-AFTRA is the iconic American labor union that represents approximately 160,000 media professionals. SAG-AFTRA employees support our members and thrive on securing the strongest protections by negotiating the best wages, working conditions, health and pension benefits. We preserve and expand members’ work opportunities, vigorously enforce our contracts and protect our members against unauthorized use of their work. ​

What You’ll Do

The purpose of the Counsel I role is to protect the interests of SAG-AFTRA and its members by enforcing SAG-AFTRA contracts through arbitration and state/federal litigation. The Counsel I role also provides timely and detailed advice to SAG-AFTRA departments regarding issues that implicate state and/or federal law, federal labor law, and SAG-AFTRA contractual negotiations.

(This section provides a general summary of the most significant job duties performed. It does not explain in detail every single duty performed.)

Litigation

• Manage caseload of arbitration matters, concerning contract and NLRA-related member grievances against signatory producers and distributors.
• Under supervision, represent SAG-AFTRA and its members in state and federal court in various litigation matters, including but not limited to disputes between members and producers/distributors/agents, based on state and federal law, and SAG-AFTRA contracts.
• Under supervision, represent SAG-AFTRA in administrative proceedings, and state and federal court regarding litigation brought by or against SAG-AFTRA, including but not limited to disputes with members, vendors, and/or employees.

Advising Departments

• Advise department staff as to legal rights pursuant to relevant contracts (e.g.., non-disclosure agreements, real-estate documents, etc.), state and federal law (labor and otherwise), and other legally relevant issues (HR-related issues, website privacy policy, etc.).
• Prepare legal opinions and documents that interpret applicable laws, rulings (arbitration and other), the SAG-AFTRA constitution and contracts, and various regulations related to applicable law.
• Prepare agreements and contracts pursuant to departmental requests.
• Conduct legal and factual research regarding specific departmental issues.
• Assist in assessment of internal documents, policies, etc., for legal compliance, and advise SAG-AFTRA personnel appropriately.

Negotiations and Advice

• Negotiate terms and provisions of various contracts (i.e.., vendor contracts, etc.).
• Resolve informally disputes between SAG-AFTRA (for itself and on behalf of SAG-AFTRA members) and third parties, in an effort to preempt litigation.
• Provide general information and assistance to SAG-AFTRA members in areas related to their work under SAG-AFTRA collective bargaining agreements.

What You’ll Need

We want to make sure you’re successful. To be considered, you must have:

(The individual must possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities and be able to explain and demonstrate that he or she can perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities.)

• Hold yourself and others accountable for a high level of performance and integrity.
• Negotiating skills - able to negotiate with diplomacy.
• Able to work under pressure and independently.
• Capable of taking direction from more than one supervisor.
• Able to professionally deal with irate, hostile, and/or difficult personalities.
• Able to respond to member and third party calls in a timely manner.
• Must be able to work in a challenging environment where constructive feedback from others is encouraged.
• Detail oriented.
• Proficient on Lexis Nexis and/or Bloomberg Law.
• Must be proficient in Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Slides) and PC applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Able to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing.
• Able to organize, prioritize and coordinate multiple tasks under daily deadlines.
• Superlative interpersonal skills: high degree of patience and tact. Must be able to cultivate respectful, strategic and collaborative relationships with people from diverse backgrounds, both internally and externally.
• Have an understanding and awareness of worker rights impacting SAG-AFTRA members.
• Must maintain regular and acceptable attendance at such a level as is determined at SAG-AFTRA’s sole discretion.
• Must be available and willing to work extended hours (and/or overtime for applicable non- exempt positions) per day or per week, including weekends and holidays, as SAG-AFTRA determines is necessary to meet its business needs.
• Must be available and willing to travel to such locations and with such frequency as SAG-AFTRA determines is necessary or desirable to meet its business needs.

COMPETENCIES:

• Member Service
• Communication
• Dependability/Accountability
• Job Knowledge
• Adaptability
• Teamwork

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

• A Juris Doctor or LLB degree from an ABA accredited law school or equivalent and at least one year’s experience as a practicing attorney or its equivalent.
• Must provide a substantive legal writing sample.
• Active membership in the State Bar of California.

 PREFERRED BACKGROUND:  

• Background in labor or entertainment law preferred.

What You’ll Get

We are a great place to work because we offer:

• The annual salary for this position is $120,306.00 along with excellent employee benefits and perks.
• Colleagues that are passionate about what we do and how they contribute to our mission
• Balance between work and home life responsibilities
• Affordable and comprehensive medical and dental plans
• Generous pension plan
• Employee discounts and perks

Notice to Applicants:

• It is SAG-AFTRA’s policy to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, union status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law. 
• SAG-AFTRA will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories, or arrest or conviction records, in a manner consistent with relevant legal requirements.
• To be eligible for employment with SAG-AFTRA, applicants must have current authorization to work for any employer within the U.S. We cannot offer sponsorship for an employment visa or assume responsibility for an existing one at this time.
• Employees are required to work in the state/location indicated on the job posting and relocation assistance is not provided. SAG-AFTRA operates on a 35-hour workweek schedule.
• As part of the selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview.
• A voluntary hybrid work schedule may be authorized for some positions. This schedule requires a minimum of two to four days per week of in-office attendance.  SAG-AFTRA reserves the right to change in-office requirements at any time based on business needs.
• If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request torecruiters@sagaftra.org.