Associate Counsel

The National Football League•New York, NY

2d•$210,000 - $245,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Counsel reports to the Senior Vice President, Labor Relations and is responsible for developing, negotiating, and administering the NFL-NFLPA Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), including representing the league and clubs in CBA litigation. The role represents the league in grievance hearings and arbitrations brought by or against the NFL and supervises outside counsel handling such matters. It requires strong investigative and advocacy skills and the ability to identify and resolve issues related to league policies. The position provides advice to the league and clubs on the CBA, the Salary Cap system, Player Personnel rules, and other collectively bargained rules. It also supports investigations and enforcement, policy drafting, and negotiations with the NFL Players Association. NFL employees are required to work 40 hours per week in-office. The position requires onsite presence at an NFL office or stadium; remote and hybrid work are not offered. Relocation assistance is not provided. The salary range is $210,000–$245,000 USD, and the NFL expects to hire near the middle of the range.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (J.D.).
Four to six or more years of litigation experience at a top law firm or federal government agency.
Experience conducting and maintaining a docket of litigation matters and internal investigations.
Experience appearing in court or similar settings, interviewing senior executives, and drafting investigatory findings.
Experience deposing and cross-examining witnesses.
Experience making presentations to large groups of senior executives.
Familiarity with NFL and other sports’ labor relations.

Responsibilities

Acquire and demonstrate substantive mastery of the CBA and league policies regulating the conduct of clubs and players.
Litigate grievances on behalf of the league and member clubs under the CBA with the NFL Players Association.
Advise the league and clubs regarding rights and obligations under the CBA, the Salary Cap system, Player Personnel rules, and other collectively bargained league rules.
Assist with investigating and enforcing potential violations of the CBA and related policies regulating player and club conduct.
Draft and review policy directives for NFL players and clubs.
Interact with outside law firms, consultants, and others involved in CBA and policy administration or litigation.
Assist in negotiations with the NFL Players Association.
Prepare legal memoranda for clubs regarding policy obligations.
Independently develop and maintain working relationships with club counsel and NFLPA representatives.
Represent the league in grievance hearings and arbitrations and supervise outside counsel in litigation of these matters.