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Job Description

Overview /Objective

The Counsel will report to the NFL Deputy General Counsel, Labor and be responsible for development, negotiation and administration of our collective bargaining agreement with the NFL Players Association and NFL players, including representing the league and clubs in litigation under the NFL-NFLPA CBA. The primary responsibility of the Counsel – Labor will be to represent the league and clubs in grievances, arbitrations and other litigation brought by or against the NFL. The Counsel will focus substantially on the NFL Salary Cap revenue accounting provisions and supporting NFL Finance to provide counsel to NFL departments and Clubs regarding the Salary Cap impact of sponsorship, licensing, media, and sponsorship provisions and, where necessary, litigate disputes with the NFLPA under the collective bargaining agreement. The Counsel-Labor will also support the administration of various player policies (Personal Conduct Policy, Gambling Policy, Policy and Program on Substances of Abuse and Performance-Enhancing Substances Policy) including periodic review and update of all policies, assisting in investigations of potential violations and enforcing discipline. This role will require strong advocacy and analytical skills, and the ability to spot and solve issues related to the league.

Candidates should have a strong litigation background with a minimum of six years of demonstrated proficiency in arbitration, federal or state litigation and experience in labor relations. The candidate will also be expected to work closely with and supervise outside counsel litigating cases filed against the NFL and/or our member clubs.

Responsibilities

• Acquire and demonstrate substantive mastery of the NFL-NFLPA CBA and league policies regulating the relationship between the league, clubs and players.
• Develop subject-matter expertise in NFL-NFLPA CBA revenue accounting provisions and rules; advise league and clubs on compliance with those provisions.
• Litigate grievances on behalf of the league and clubs.
• Draft and review policy directives for NFL players and Clubs.
• Assist in the enforcement of potential policy violations and litigate hearings to enforce compliance with the various policies.
• Prepare legal memoranda for clubs regarding CBA and policy obligations.
• Review data and prepare reports regarding the administration of NFL policies.
• Interact with outside law firms, consultants and others involved in the administration of NFL policies and/or litigation.
• Assist in CBA negotiations with the NFL Players Association.
• Independently develop and maintain working relationships with club counsel and NFL Players Association representatives.

Required Qualifications

• Law Degree (J.D.); Minimum 6 years of litigation experience with several years working at a top tier law firm or federal government prosecution/enforcement agency.
• Experience conducting direct and cross-examinations of witnesses and engaging in oral argument in judicial or arbitration proceedings.
• Experience maintaining and managing a docket of litigation matters and investigations, including interviewing senior executives, and drafting investigatory findings.
• Experience managing and developing support team.
• Experience making presentations to large groups of senior executives.
• Familiarity with NFL and other sports’ labor relations histories.
• Experience with litigation matters involving accounting and/or financial issues preferred.

Physical Demands

• N/A

Travel

• 25%

Salary / Pay Range

This job posting contains a pay range, which represents the range of salaries or hourly rates that the NFL believes, in good faith, at the time of this posting that it might be willing to pay for the posted job in the location(s) specified. The NFL expects to hire for this position near the middle of the range. Only in truly rare and exceptional circumstances, where an external candidate has experience, credentials or expertise that far exceed those required or expected for the position, would the NFL consider paying a salary or rate near the higher end of the range.

Terms / Expected Hours of Work

• FSLA Exempt
• NFL employees are required to work 40 hours per week.