Assistant General Counsel - Corporate Operations

Become a part of the team behind the team.  

As employees of the Portland Trail Blazers at the Rose Quarter, we do more than basketball. We bring people together to create extraordinary moments and lasting memories through the power of sports and entertainment. We are pioneers and innovators. We look for people who push boundaries, who dream, who are committed to inclusivity - who want to contribute to Rip City!  

We are seeking a driven, passionate, and experienced Assistant General Counsel to join our in-house Legal team.

As an Assistant General Counsel, you will collaborate frequently with the General Counsel to counsel our leadership and staff on a variety of legal and business risks, strategies, and transactions, with a primary focus on internal operations and drafting and analyzing agreements. You will add value advising on risk management, internal/external operations, NBA rules/regulations, and general corporate matters. You will report directly to our General Counsel, advising and representing the Portland Trail Blazers and the Rose Quarter in legal matters.

WORK ARRANGEMENT:

In alignment with our commitment to flexibility and contemporary work dynamics, we operate under a hybrid work model. As such, the Assistant General Counsel will be required to maintain a presence at our primary office location, the Moda Center, for a minimum of three days per week.

DAY-TO-DAY:

• Provide detailed and timely legal and business counsel to all departments of our organization on corporate transactions, risk management, labor and employment, facilities management/vendor services, and other legal matters.
• Negotiate, draft, review, and manage commercial contracts and other legal documents necessary to facilitate a variety of transactions supporting corporate governance, third-party relationships and engagements, vendor management and procurement, facilities, and events management.
• Work closely with our HR, IT, finance, administration/operations, and other corporate groups, as well as the Blazers Foundation.
• Assist with the maintenance and management of departmental operations and processes, and legal education and training for internal groups.
• Maintain familiarity with NBA Constitution, Bylaws and all other NBA rules and regulations to counsel on, and ensure compliance with, those rules and regulations.
• Support the continuous improvement of standard form agreements and legal department processes.
• Assist with company risk management and mitigation initiatives and prepare and advise on related policies, protocols, and training in relevant areas of responsibility.
• Review, revise and develop internal regulations, policies, and procedures as necessary to best protect and serve our legal and business interests.
• Assist with corporate governance matters and maintain corporate records.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Strong professional credentials.
• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Admission to a U.S. state bar, in good standing, and ability to be admitted to the Oregon state bar for in-house practice.
• Minimum of 3 years of progressively responsible experience as a practicing attorney.
• Extensive experience negotiating and drafting agreements.
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills and an ability to identify and address complicated and sensitive problems with creativity and sound judgment.
• Meticulous attention to detail
• Experience encouraging successful interaction and collaboration with a diverse array of colleagues, clients, stakeholders, and leaders at all levels.
• Experience and comfort with keeping confidential and sensitive information, a commitment to high ethical and professional standards, and a high degree of personal integrity and sound judgment.
• Self-motivation and a demonstrated ability to manage projects and to execute multiple tasks and initiatives effectively and efficiently in a broad range of substantive areas.
• Strong interpersonal skills and flexibility to work within a rapidly changing environment.
• Collaborate with multiple departments and the General Counsel in a high-profile environment.
• Strong work ethic with the ability to prioritize activities and use time efficiently.
• Knowledge and experience in matters that arise in sports practice, including internal and external operations, corporate governance, labor and employment law, procurement, risk management, insurance law, corporate law, and entertainment law.
• Flexible schedule with ability to work evenings, holidays, and weekends.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams and proficiency in redlining and editing documents

COVER LETTER REQUIREMENT:
In addition to the qualifications listed above, all applicants are required to submit a cover letter along with their resume. Your cover letter should serve as an opportunity for you to share your career milestones and your vision for how your experience aligns with the responsibilities of the Assistant General Counsel role. We encourage you to provide insights into your journey in the legal profession, highlighting your accomplishments and how you can contribute to our dynamic legal team. Your cover letter will be a vital component in our application review process.

PERKS: 

We invest in our employees inside and outside of work. Our benefits package for full-time teammates includes:

• Relocation Assistance
• Competitive Healthcare Coverage
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Maternal & Parental Leave
• Flexible Time Off (3 weeks + 11 holidays)
• Wellness Perks
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Free Parking + Discounted Mass Transit Passes
• Discounted & Complimentary Tickets
• Ongoing Learning & Development

NOTIFICATION DATE:
Qualified candidates will be notified of the next steps no later than November 27th.

Offers of employment are conditional upon the successful results of an individual background check. We consider qualified applicants with criminal histories and review results on an individual basis.

The Portland Trail Blazers at the Rose Quarter embraces diversity and inclusion. We celebrate individual expression and uniqueness on our campus. We do not tolerate harassment or discrimination. We are committed to hiring individuals that reflect the community we serve without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other legally protected characteristics. We are an equal opportunity employer.  

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request an accommodation.