Job Type:
Legal
Employment Category:
Full Time (40 hours/week)
Location:
HHMI Headquarters
Chevy Chase, Maryland
Job Number:
TEMPLATE-080
Posted On:
07/05/2013
Reports To:
VP & General Counsel
Job Summary:
At the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), creativity and excellence are fundamental to our success. As one of the world's largest philanthropies, HHMI is a major force in advancing biomedical research and science education in the U.S. and beyond. HHMI’s Office of the General Counsel (OGC) is seeking an experienced attorney with a proven record of client service and a practical, problem-solving approach to providing legal services to join its team as an Associate General Counsel at HHMI’s headquarters in Chevy Chase, Maryland.
The successful candidate must have superior analytical and communication skills, a creative and positive attitude, and a willingness to learn about, facilitate, and take pride in the important work of HHMI’s scientists and grantees. Experience advising clients in all aspects of employee relations, including compliance with employment-related federal requirements such as the ADA, the ADEA and the FLSA and similar state statutes, and employment-related litigation is required. Experience advising clients on matters relating to employee benefits, including compliance with ERISA, and immigration, would be considered a plus.
HHMI’s OGC is responsible for providing legal services, advice, and counsel to the organization and its leaders across the broad spectrum of substantive legal and regulatory areas relevant to HHMI’s operations and activities. OGC attorneys are expected to become thoroughly conversant with the HHMI programs and policies for which they have responsibility, allowing us to play key roles in strategic planning and find innovative solutions to our clients’ needs.
Our goal is always to provide efficient, practical and timely advice and counsel. The OGC is headed by HHMI’s Vice President and General Counsel, who manages the activities of its twelve experienced full- and part-time attorneys, as well as the other professional and administrative staff of the office.
Principal Responsibilities:
The candidate hired for this position will be HHMI’s primary in-house legal resource for all employee relations, benefits, and immigration matters. In addition, HHMI expects the individual to be able to provide sound advice on aspects of litigation generally (for example, issues relating to attorney-client privilege, e-discovery, and litigation strategy).
Each Associate General Counsel at HHMI handles diverse legal matters arising at a group of research sites for which he or she is responsible, as well as a portfolio of other matters not arising in connection with the research sites. Work arising from research sites includes review and negotiation of a wide array of agreements, such as those involving industry and academic collaborations with HHMI scientists, and frequent interaction with both HHMI management and scientists to advise them on relevant legal issues and the interpretation and application of HHMI research policies. Accordingly, while prior experience advising clients on all aspects of employee relations is required, and a background in employee benefits and immigration law is a plus, candidates must also be eager to take on other substantive areas.
For this position, the OGC seeks an attorney who has substantial experience in drafting and reviewing agreements and other legal documents and client communications, and who has interacted regularly wtih clients in providing advice and counsel. Experience handling employment law and related matters as in-house counsel, especially if at an academic institution or a pharmaceutical or biotecth company, would be considered a plus.
Preferred Qualifications:
- J.D. degree with a strong academic background;
- Active membership of an established Bar:
- At least five years of experience as an attorney in private practice with a prestigious law firm or in a top corporate or government legal department practicing in the employment law, benefits and immigration areas, including litigation;
- Ability and willingness to handle a variety of tasks across a broad range of substantive areas and to learn new areas quickly;
- Ability and willingness to work independently;
- Excellent judgment;
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively;
- Excellent creativity, problem-solving, and organizational skills;
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; and
- Proficient computer skills
Additional Information:
Please email a resume and brief (one page limit) cover letter highlighting elements of your experience, skills, or personality that make you a good fit for the position to jobs@hhmi.org Please include the job title in the subject line.Principals only. No phone calls please.
To Apply:
To apply for this position, please email your resume to:
Marcia S. Hawkins
HQ HR Business Partner
Email: jobs@hhmi.org
Application Deadline:
Open Until Filled
