SUMMARY
The U.S. Center for SafeSport is a non-profit organization focused on ending all forms of abuse in sport. We endeavor to lead the movement to make sport safer for all through abuse prevention, education, and accountability.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Senior Legal Counsel – Arbitrations (SLC-A) works closely with the Deputy General Counsel on legal matters impacting the U.S. Center for SafeSport, with a primary focus on handling and conducting arbitrations. The SLC-A also works closely with the Directors of Investigations, the Director of Intake/Resolution, and Assistant Directors of Intake and Investigations on Response and Resolution matters and collaborates closely with paralegals in support of this work. Independent judgment is required to plan, prioritize, and organize workload and to recommend changes in office practices or procedures.
Essential Functions
- Serve as the Center’s primary attorney for handling and conducting arbitrations, including preparing for, developing strategy for, and presenting the Center’s position at arbitration hearings challenging the Center’s temporary measures, findings, and/or sanctions.
- Regularly communicate with Claimants and witnesses in preparation for arbitration while adhering to trauma-informed principles.
- Work closely with Deputy General Counsel on the Center’s response to litigation and subpoenas, including working with outside legal counsel and, in conjunction with senior leadership, ascertaining the best use of outside counsel in litigation matters.
- Assist in the oversight of Center governance functions, including providing legal advice on Center-wide initiatives that affect the Response and Resolution team.
- Align with Deputy General Counsel, R&R Investigations team, and the R&R Intake/Resolutions team to identify policies applicable to alleged violations, determine the need for interim measures, and review final decisions and sanctions on investigations.
- Work closely with the Investigations team and Intake/Resolutions team to support decision-making across the Response & Resolution department, including implementation of temporary measures, threat and/or risk assessments, and consistent application of the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017 (“the Act”).
- Collaborate with Deputy General Counsel to provide proactive counsel and guidance on legal implications of pending litigation matters.Partner and collaborate daily with paralegals to ensure the efficient functioning of arbitration and litigation matters within the legal department.
- Regularly liaise with outside counsel.
Other Job Functions
- Work closely with Deputy General Counsel, Investigations team, and Intake/Resolutions team to provide legal guidance to support the Response & Resolution team, including bi-annual revisions to the SafeSport Code and supporting policy development and implementation, internal training programs, quality control initiates and other items as needed.
- Other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities (Required + Preferred)
- Ability to handle multiple tasks and deadlines with interruptions in a busy office environment.
- Thoroughness, accuracy, and great attention to detail.
- Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
- Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, initiative, and a commitment to the Center’s mission.
- Proven ability to exercise a high level of confidentiality, discretion, diplomacy, and sound judgement.
- Collaborative and flexible work style.
- Thoughtful and deliberative decision making.
- Commitment to trauma-informed practices and principles.
- Ability to work independently, while being able to contribute successfully to cross-functional teams.
- Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of contacts, including outside counsel, executive and senior management, and business associates.
- Strong interpersonal skills that lead to collaborative solutions.
- Demonstrated ability to conduct arbitrations and to advocate effectively for an organization in contested, adversarial proceedings.
- Demonstrated experience handling sensitive subject matter (i.e., child abuse, sexual misconduct, etc.).
- Strong proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint, Word, Excel, and Teams preferred
Education Requirement
Juris Doctor (JD) from accredited law school required
Licenses or Certifications
- Licensed to practice or advise on legal matters in the United States.
- Member in good standing of at least one State Bar Association.
Required Work Experience
- Minimum five years of legal experience in a law firm, corporate legal department, and/or other relevant legal experience.
- Strong litigation and trial background, including significant first-chair experience litigating and trying cases, with particular experience in matters involving abuse.
- Experience handling and conducting arbitrations and/or trials.
- Exceptional demonstrated legal writing abilities.
