Director of Legal Affairs
American Federation of Teachers
WASHINGTON STATE NURSES ASSOCIATION
Position Title: Director of Legal Affairs
Reports to: Executive Director
Non-Bargaining Unit: Exempt
About WSNA: Washington State Nurses Association is the leading voice and advocate for nurses in Washington. As a professional association and union, we represent more than 21,000 bargaining unit members for collective bargaining and the professional interests of more than 103,000 registered nurses. For more than 100 years, WSNA has championed issues that support nurses, advance professional standards, and improve the health of individuals, families, communities, and populations in Washington state.
About the position: The Director of Legal Affairs collaborates closely with the Executive Director and executive leadership team to provide strategic legal advice and guidance to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. This position is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive legal strategy, ensuring all legal and contractual obligations align with WSNAs' mission and operational goals. This position will be the principal liaison between WSNA and outside legal counsel, managing relationships and overseeing external legal work.
1. Legal Counsel and Compliance
• Consult with the Executive Director on internal governance and compliance with applicable federal and state laws and rules.
• Provide legal consultation to the executive staff team to support work in WSNA departments.
• Ensure legal review and contribute to drafting legislative, regulatory, and practice-related proposals.
• Assist in developing, reviewing, and advising on organization policies and procedures.
• Review vendor contracts, insurance policies, property and equipment leases, etc.
• Advise on human resources decisions regarding staff and labor relations with the staff union.
• Serve as liaison to external counsel, managing relationships and ensuring effective legal representation.
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2. Litigation and Legal Proceedings
• Serve as lead counsel in legal proceedings, including arbitrations, administrative hearings, labor board proceedings, and other litigation matters.
• Manage all litigation aspects directly or through supervision of attorneys or outside counsel, including case evaluations, witness preparation, document review, oral arguments, brief drafting, and legal research.
• Coordinate WSNA’s legal defense against charges, lawsuits, and enforcement actions brought against the organization.
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3. Supervision and Leadership
• Supervise attorney and non-attorney staff within the legal department.
• Support organizational and leadership development and long-term planning.
• Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.
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4. Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining
• Establish and lead the implementation of statewide strategic collective bargaining priorities, in collaboration with in-house attorneys, negotiators, and WSNA labor program directors.
• Advise and provide legal support to the Labor and Organizing Directors on matters related to collective bargaining, union representation, and organizing.
• Identify and develop model contract language for collective bargaining and advise on bargaining strategy to implement.
• Provide negotiating and contract administration services to bargaining units as assigned.
• Serve on the WSNA negotiating team for staff union negotiations.
Education/Experience:
- Juris Doctorate and Washington State Bar Association membership are required.
- At least ten (10) years of experience in practicing law is required.
- At least five (5) years’ experience representing a health care union or other private sector unions, including collective bargaining, arbitrations, and practice before the NLRB.
- At least three (3) years’ experience managing/supervising internal attorneys, outside counsel, and paralegals
- Demonstrated ability in strategic thinking, planning, and participation in teams is required.
Pay Range and Benefits Description:
The salary range for this position is $190,000 - $230,000. New hires generally start at $190,000, and placement within the range is based on qualifications and professional experience.
WSNA provides a generous benefits package that includes employer-paid individual health, dental, vision, and life insurance, fifteen paid holidays, twelve personal days per year, twenty-two vacation days per year, one day of sick leave per month, and participation in a 401(k) plan with employer contribution.
The Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and staff without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information (including characteristics and testing), military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. WSNA believes that diversity and inclusion among our teammates are critical to our success in serving our membership, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.
Closing Date: This position will remain open until filled.
To Apply: Interested applicants should use the link in this announcement to submit a letter of interest, résumé, and contact information for three professional references.