Associate Legal Counsel

SUMMARY

The U.S. Center for SafeSport is a non-profit organization focused on ending all forms of abuse in sport. We endeavor to make athlete well-being the centerpiece of the nation’s sports culture through abuse prevention, education, and accountability.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Associate Legal Counsel (ALC) represents the Center’s interests both internally and externally while providing legal advice, guidance, and support to Center staff. The ALC’s review investigative materials, draft neutral legal decisions, and represent the Center at arbitration hearings.

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Investigation Report (IR) Review: Reviews Investigation Reports (IRs) in a timely manner, identifying any areas of the report and/or the investigation requiring additional work, analysis, or follow-up, including concerns that an investigation has not been conducted in a neutral manner, the investigative conclusions are not supported by the evidence, or that the information gathered either does/does not meet the Center’s burden of proof.

• Notice of Decision (NOD) Drafting: Draft neutral, concise, and well-researched Notices of Decision while identifying proper policy application (the Code, National Governing Body (NGB) policy, community standards). Present the Center’s determination re: factual findings and legal outcomes to the Case Resolution Committee.

• Technical Legal Research and Writing: Must be proficient at legal writing and analysis, to include issue spotting in various fact patterns and comprehension and application of local, state, federal, and international laws.

• Litigation: Represent the Center at hearings and arbitrations, including Merits Arbitrations and Temporary Measures hearings. Duties include: review case files in their entirety, the drafting and filing of briefs, discussions and coordination with investigators, claimants, opposing counsel or respondents, witnesses, and oral arguments to the arbitrator.

• Teamwork: Great communication skills, both written and oral, and the ability to work collaboratively and cordially both within the Legal team and interdepartmentally with Investigators and department leaders.

• Law Enforcement Reviews: Review case files and documentation being requested by law enforcement to ensure we are fully complying with their request and not sharing information that should not be turned over without written release/permission (HIPAA, etc.).

• Statute Requests: Assist the Response & Resolution team (R&R) in locating statutes relevant to their investigations.

• Code Revisions: Participate in the Code Revision process, to include attending meetings, reviewing materials in advance, thoughtfully and respectfully discussing proposed changes with others, preparing materials for distribution to NGBs, and speaking with NGBs regarding proposed/accepted/rejected Code Revision feedback.

• Training: Organize and implement trainings, mainly to R&R staff regarding investigative issues identified during the IR review and NOD drafting processes.

• Provide assistance and advice as needed to other departments within the Center. Review materials (presentations, training materials, etc.) prepared by other departments within the Center upon request to ensure consistent and accurate messaging, particularly as it relates to the Code.

• Communicate with law enforcement, NGBs, government entities, and other attorneys as needed on behalf of the Center.

• Conduct legal research on unique issues as assigned (international law, potentially applicable policy, etc). Draft Legal Memorandum incorporating legal research, analysis, and recommendations.

• Assist Intake in assessing the appropriateness of Temporary Restrictions and/or Temporary Suspension.

• Quarterly audit of administrative closures from Intake and Investigations.

• Partake in interdepartmental working groups to create internal and external resources and brainstorm potential changes to the Center's processes to ensure maximum efficiency.

• Review of the monthly NGB newsletter.

• Performs other duties as assigned

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

• Juris Doctorate from accredited law school required

• Licensed to practice or advise on legal matters in the United States.

• Member in good standing of a State Bar Association.

• Minimum two years of legal experience in a law firm, as a government attorney, or other relevant legal experience

• Experience in conducting or supervising investigations, particularly into child abuse or sex crimes

• Experience handling hearings, arbitrations, or trials as first chair

• Experience as a judicial clerk or staff attorney strongly preferred

• 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

WORK REQUIREMENTS & ENVIRONMENT

• Standard office equipment provided
• Office environment in multi-story, dog-friendly building
• Some night and weekend work hours
• Some overnight travel required

WORK LOCATION – Denver, CO or remote

This is a full-time, exempt position. The salary for this position is $112,900 annually.

Benefits include PTO for vacation, sick and holidays; 6 weeks paid parental leave after 6 months of service; medical, vision and dental insurance options; employer paid life and disability policies; 401k with up to 5% savings match.

TO APPLY

Visit our applicant portal to submit your Resume and Cover Letter.

Applications will be accepted through the end of the business day on Monday, September 23rd, 2024.

Please direct all questions (not applications) to recruiting@safesport.org.

Pursuant to the Empowering Olympic, Paralympic, and Amateur Athletes Act of 2020 no applicant shall be considered within two (2) years of employment and/or board service of the USOPC or National Governing Body.

U.S. Center for SafeSport is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, creed, color, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability or handicap, sex, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, arrest record, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. Our management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities and general treatment during employment.