Associate Corporate Counsel - Employment Law & Litigation

JOB SUMMARY

The Associate Corporate Counsel will serve under the direction of the Vice President - Employment Law and Litigation and will assist with matters within the specific areas of Employment Law and general litigation, including employment disputes, workers compensation matters, leaves of absence and accommodations, benefits, and pre-suit claims, active litigation, and appeals involving personal injury, property damage, construction, water rights, contracts, real estate, and other litigation matters. The Associate Corporate Counsel may assist in managing outside counsel and contractors in connection with Employment Law and litigation matters. Responsibilities include providing advice, counsel, representation, and analysis to the General Counsel/Chief Legal & Ethics Officer, the Board of Trustees, President/CEO, Executive Management, and SAWS staff in connection with SAWS legal matters.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assists in providing legal counsel and advice to SAWS' Board of Trustees, President/CEO, Executive Management, and staff within one or more assigned law specialties.
• Contributes to legal review, analysis, and research for the development of SAWS policies and procedures, programs, and projects to ensure conformance with relevant contracts, laws, administrative regulations, and local agency rules.
• Collaborates to provide analysis and recommendations on the legal risks and strategies associated with disputes or settlements.
• Assists in negotiating, drafting, interpreting, and reviewing transactional documents associated with SAWS projects and programs.
• Provides regulatory support to management on complex legal issues and provides direct legal support, as needed.
• Assists in managing outside counsel and may participates in discovery, mediation, and litigation on behalf of the system, as needed.
• Assists in responding to and resolves sensitive inquiries and complaints from both internal and external sources.
• Works well within the Legal department providing legal advice and assistance to team members.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

DECISION MAKING

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Juris Doctorate degree from a law school approved for accreditation by the American Bar Association.
• Licensed to practice law in the State of Texas.
• Two (2) years of experience as a licensed, practicing attorney in a private law firm or governmental agency specializing in at least one of the following areas: general transactional law, corporate law, public law, contracting, utility law, real estate, land use law, general litigation, or Employment Law.
• Ability to use word processing, spreadsheet, database, financial, and presentation software.

• Water and/or wastewater utility experience
• Municipal or other governmental agency/public sector practice experience.

JOB DIMENSIONS

• Skilled in proficiently utilizing a personal computer and associated software programs such as word processing, spreadsheets, database, financial and presentation software.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external customers, including, clients, Executive Management and Board of Trustees, attorneys, consultants, administrative agency and government staff and members of the public.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

Working conditions are primarily in an office environment with occasional travel.

May be required to work hours other than daytime schedule such as evenings, weekends and holidays.