Staff Counsel
Organization Background
The Major League Soccer Players Association (MLSPA) serves as the voice and collective bargaining representative for all Major League Soccer (MLS) players. Formed in 2003, the MLSPA ensures protection of the rights of all MLS players while also promoting their best interests and amplifying their voices. The MLSPA strives to empower players by establishing a supportive community and unifiedvoice that positively impacts the lives of its past, current, and future members both on and off the field. The MLSPA is a democratic organization run by and for players, and ultimate control over the MLSPA rests with the players. Together, members and MLSPA staff work to collectively bargain and enforce a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) covering myriad issues ranging from minimum salaries,bonuses, health insurance, discipline, free agency, and retirement plans for players.
To learn more, visit www.mlsplayers.org
Position Overview
The MLSPA is seeking candidates for a Staff Counsel position to join its Legal Department in its Bethesda, Maryland headquarters. The Staff Counsel will support the MLSPA through participating in and advising on a broad range of legal issues and organizational governance matters, including administering and enforcing the provisions of the CBA with MLS. The Staff Counsel will focus on CBA enforcement, player discipline, and compliance matters. The Staff Counsel will report directly to the MLSPA’s General Counsel.
Applicants should submit an email with the subject line “Staff Counsel” to jobs@mlsplayers.org. Please include a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and list of at least two references. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly urged to apply. The position will remain open until filled, and applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.
Primary Responsibilities
● Administering and enforcing the CBA with MLS
● Representing players facing potential league on- or off-field discipline
● Investigating, researching, drafting, and prosecuting grievances under the CBA
● Advising the MLSPA, officers, staff, members, and player-agents on collective bargaining matters
● Supporting collective bargaining and settlement negotiations with MLS
● Analyzing legal issues and developing and executing legal strategies to advance the interests of the MLSPA and its members
● Providing advice and counsel to MLSPA executives, staff, leadership, and members, on a wide array of legal matters, including employment, labor, intellectual property, and operations matters, as well as drafting and negotiating agreements with vendors and other commercial partners
● Supervising and coordinating activities of law fellows, law clerks, and support staff
Requirements
● Candidates must hold a J.D. from an accredited law school and current bar membership in good standing (with willingness and ability to waive into or sit for the Maryland State Bar)
● Demonstrable writing and oral advocacy skills
● A minimum of three years of professional experience practicing law, including judicial clerkships
● General understanding of the structure, governance, and functioning of labor unions
● Familiarity with labor law, employment law, and the collective bargaining process
● Self-motivated work ethic, with an eagerness to work independently as well as collaboratively with various staff and members on a diversity of issues and matters
● Passion for working for and advocating on behalf of professional soccer players
Preferred Qualifications
● Professional fluency in Spanish is strongly preferred
● Experience litigating cases in federal or state court or arbitration
● Experience leading investigations
● Experience with internal legal compliance matters, including drafting and negotiating contracts, for a labor union or medium to large non-profit organization
Travel and work hours
● Occasional to frequent travel and extended work hours may be required
Salary
Compensation commensurate with experience: $110,000 – $150,000
Equal Opportunity Employer
The MLSPA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and our team members are people with different strengths, experiences, and backgrounds who share a passion for positively impacting the lives of past, current, and future players in MLS. Our diversity includes race, gender, age, disability status, national origin, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, socioeconomic background, and many other parts of one’s identity. Our team members’ diverse backgrounds and diverse points of view are key to our success, and inclusion is everyone’s responsibility. The MLSPA strongly encourages applicants from all backgrounds.