Assistant General Counsel at Presbyterian Church USA

Overview

The national offices of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), based in Louisville Kentucky, serve with mid-councils, congregations, worshipping communities, and partner organizations to carry forth the mission of Jesus Christ. Approximately 400 individuals, diverse in race, age, gender, sexual orientation, faith, skills, and more, come together as colleagues to work for a world where justice reigns, peace prevails, and Gods love extends to all people. This community comprises the staff of several national entities: the Office of the General Assembly, Presbyterian Investment and Loan Corporation, the Presbyterian Mission Agency, the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation, Presbyterian Women, and the Administrative Services Group.

Basic Commitment: This position calls for a commitment to the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) as noted in its theological confessions, the Book of Order, and the actions of the General Assembly.

Position Purpose:

Minimize or eliminate legal liability to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), A Corporation ( A Corporation), which includes the Office of the General Assembly and the Presbyterian Mission Agency, currently known as the Interim Unified Agency, and the Administrative Services Group, and clients of the A Corporation (including Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Investment & Loan Program, Inc. and Presbyterian Women in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Inc.), through review, research, and analysis of legal issues, formulation of legal advice, and preparation of related documents on a wide range of legal topics and, at the request of or in the absence of the General Counsel, attend meetings on behalf of the General Counsel and render legal advice and opinions as appropriate. Such work will be done within the roles and responsibilities set forth below, in an efficient, cost-effective manner, and with a sense of urgency that supports mission and ministry.

Roles & Responsibilities & Essential Position Requirements:

1. Provides legal advice and support (including designing and presenting trainings and attending meetings) to:
   1. the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), A Corporation and the Administrative Services Group
   2. the Interim Unified Agency and its successor
   3. the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Investment and Loan Program, Inc.
   4. the Presbyterian Women in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Inc. and,
   5. their boards, committees, officers, and directors --
   6. in the following areas of responsibility:
      1. Employment law, including advising the Human Resources Department in addressing personnel issues, conducting investigations of employee complaints, and defending charges of discrimination from local, state, and federal agencies, and appropriately escalating employment issues to the General Counsel;
      2. Sexual misconduct, including coordinating all legal aspects of the organizations sexual misconduct prevention work as well as working with the Staff Advisory Team on sexual misconduct prevention issues, being the contact for the Insurance Board and Praesidium for the Help Line, and convening teams and updating websites, working with colleagues in the Interim Unified Agency as relates to Book of Order and General Assembly required policies, and working with colleagues who plan large gatherings domestically or internationally during which child care is provided to ensure policy compliance;
      3. Litigation, including supervising an assisting outside counsel nationwide when the General Assembly, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Interim Unified Agency or its successor, and/or Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), A Corporation is sued by third parties in the secular court system including issues related to church property trust clause litigation;
      4. Domestic real estate, including assisting the Risk Manager with all legal issues related to management of property owned or managed by Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), A Corporation and assisting the General Counsel with the Native American Property Project;
      5. Intellectual property, including trademarks, service marks, copyright, and any attendant issues.
2. Legal Resource Manual: In consultation with other colleagues in the department:
   1. Recommend to the General Counsel what the contents of the manual will be, including which sections are to be retained and updated; which are to be deleted; and any new sections to be written.
   2. draft and prepare updates to sections of the Manual, as needed.
   3. Recommend to the General Counsel how to present the Legal Manual on the website (in consultation with the Legal Office's media representative and the Office of Communication's web designers), and
   4. Recommend to the General Counsel a communication strategy regarding the manual, updates, and articles.
3. Conduct legal research, via Westlaw or other subscription service, to assist Legal Office colleagues and clients with various legal issues as needed.
4. Consult with Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) synods, presbyteries, and sessions/congregations when requested on specific issues which will primarily be related to the above referenced areas of work.
5. Assist General Counsel, including attending meetings on the General Counsels behalf or request and rendering legal counsel and opinions as well as other duties assigned by the General Counsel.
6. Other duties as assigned.

Essential Position Requirements:

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school
• 5 - 7 Years practicing law at progressively more responsible levels, preferably with some experience in First Amendment and religious freedom issues.
• Compliance with Kentucky Bar Association practice rules, including admission to the bar and completing mandatory Continuing Legal Education requirements in a timely manner.
• Experience as in-house legal counsel for a corporation or experience in a law firm. The past experience should include two or more of the following areas: employment law, litigation, First Amendment, religious freedom, and intellectual property. The experience should be in an environment that requires managing a variety of competing demands and deadlines.

Required Skills:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; excellent analytical and problem-solving skills; excellent project management, organizational and time management skills; excellent writing skills; proficiency in Word, electronic email, and with mobile devices; legal research skills (preferably electronic legal skills).
• Ability to communicate and interact effectively with co-workers, clients, outside legal counsel, and outside visitors or callers, in a manner suitable to a church office environment.
• Perform all work with a sense of urgency.
• Fluency in English and one or more additional languages very helpful.
• Conflict Management skills; knowledgeable in Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) polity.
• Have a deep understanding and commitment to cultural and racial ethnic inclusiveness. Values diverse groups, ethnicities, genders, communities, cultural constituencies and points of view. Able to relate well to people from all walks of life and of varying theological perspectives.
• Ability to speak one or more languages other than English very helpful.

Helpful Skills:

• Have a deep understanding and commitment to cultural and racial ethnic inclusiveness. Values diverse groups, ethnicities, genders, communities, cultural constituencies and points of view. Able to relate well to people from all walks of life and of varying theological perspectives.
• Ability to speak one or more languages other than English very helpful

Required Competencies:

• Knowledge of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) structure and polity, with special emphasis on General Assembly-level entities and the relationships between mid councils is desired.
• Must be able to handle emergency demands.
• Expertise in the following areas: employment law, litigation, intellectual property, and general areas of law common to corporate in-house practice.

Additional Information/Benefits:

We believe a balanced life, with time for work, leisure, and spiritual nurture, makes us healthier and more productive colleagues at the Presbyterian Center.

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) offers a competitive benefits package for eligible employees including Defined Pension Plan, Medical, Dental, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan, Flexible Spending Account, Vacation Days, Sick Days, and Paid Holidays.

A Corp Commitment:

Our faith in God inspires our commitment to the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging and is grounded in scripture, the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and actions of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is committed to being not only an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer as defined by the U.S. government, but with the inclusion of gender identity and sexual orientation as well.

Candidates from Presbyterian communities in the global south and other historic Presbyterian Communities of Color, preferably with theological training and fluency in languages other than English, are encouraged to apply.

Compensation details: 94700-112900 Yearly Salary

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