Staff Counsel

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE 

SBCERA is seeking a highly motivated and thoughtful Staff Counsel to join our growing Legal Services team. The ideal candidate will have a strong foundation in legal analysis, an innate curiosity for understanding the legal landscape governing public pensions, and a passion for serving the public interest. We’re not just looking for someone to interpret the law—we’re looking for someone who is eager to apply it creatively and responsibly to real-world challenges faced by a complex public agency.

This role is best suited for an attorney who thrives in a collaborative environment, communicates with clarity and confidence, and exercises sound judgment in high-stakes or ambiguous situations. A genuine interest in public pension law, strong research and writing skills, and the ability to balance autonomy with teamwork are essential. Whether advising on disability retirements, reviewing legal documents, or supporting compliance and transparency initiatives, this person will play a key role in protecting the integrity of SBCERA’s mission and governance.

THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS 

Candidates are expected to complete the full application including all relevant work experience, education, credentials/professional designations and/or progress toward credentials/professional designations. This position will remain open until a sufficient number of qualified applicants has been received. We will begin reviewing applications on August 28, 2025 at which time we will begin phone interviews for those candidates most closely meeting the needs of SBCERA.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
The Staff Counsel is a journey-level classification within SBCERA’s Legal Services team.  This position reports to the Chief Counsel and is distinguished from the Chief Counsel by the latter’s responsibility for managing the overall legal affairs of SBCERA.  The Staff Counsel assists in delivering legal services across the organization, supporting litigation, compliance, and policy implementation.

SBCERA CORE VALUES IN ACTION
Every employee is expected to model SBCERA’s core values by acting with integrity, embracing accountability, collaborating across teams, and striving for professional excellence in service to our 50,000+ members and beneficiaries.

Examples of job duties include, but are not limited to:

1. Provide oral and written legal advice to SBCERA staff and management on issues related to the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937 and other pension-related laws.
2. Represent SBCERA in disability retirement hearings, administrative proceedings, and routine civil litigation in areas such as probate, family law, and contracts.
3. Draft legal documents including memoranda, opinions, correspondence, pleadings, and contracts.
4. Review and analyze court orders, including judgments of dissolution, joinders, Domestic Relations Orders, support orders, and disability claims.
5. Monitor and assess securities class action litigation involving SBCERA’s investment holdings; coordinate with securities litigation monitoring firms to evaluate SBCERA’s legal position.
6. Provide legal guidance on SBCERA’s obligations under the Brown Act and California Public Records Act (CPRA), including review of meeting agendas, closed session items, and public record request responses.
7. Assist with the preparation, review, and negotiation of contracts, resolutions, and policy documents.
8. Support legal compliance, risk mitigation, and process improvement efforts in collaboration with internal departments.
9. Maintain the confidentiality of sensitive legal matters and handle issues with diplomacy and discretion.
10. Perform other related duties as assigned.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function listed above.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Knowledge of:

• SBCERA’s mission, strategic pillars, and core values of Integrity, Accountability & Transparency, Commitment, Effectiveness, Professional Excellence, and Collaboration.
• California public pension law, including the 1937 Act.
• Family law, probate, contracts, and applicable civil procedures.
• The Brown Act and California Public Records Act.
• Principles and practices of public administration and governance.
• Legal research methods and tools, including online databases.
• Legal writing, reasoning, and analysis.
• Judicial ethics and professional responsibility standards.

• Apply SBCERA’s core values of Integrity, Accountability & Transparency, Commitment, Effectiveness, Professional Excellence, and Collaboration to daily work assignments.
• Analyze complex legal and policy issues and recommend effective solutions.
• Draft, review, and interpret legal documents and policies.
• Conduct effective legal research and communicate findings clearly.
• Present legal arguments persuasively both orally and in writing.
• Prioritize and manage multiple assignments with minimal supervision.
• Operate legal research software, Microsoft Office, and case management systems.

• Model SBCERA’s core values of Integrity, Accountability & Transparency, Commitment, Effectiveness, Professional Excellence, and Collaboration.
• Interpret and apply federal, state, and local laws and regulations affecting public pension systems.
• Communicate clearly, logically, and persuasively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate effectively with legal and operational staff.
• Exercise sound judgment, tact, and confidentiality.
• Work independently and as part of a team in a dynamic environment.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.

• Education: Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school.
• Experience: At least one (1) year of professional legal experience. Experience in government law or representation of California public entities is preferred.  Experience with the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937 and public retirement law is highly desirable.
• Licenses/Certificates: Must be an active member in good standing with the State Bar of California.  A valid California Class C driver’s license and acceptable driving record may be required.

Applications must include a resume and cover letter.  The information you provide will be used to verify and evaluate your job qualifications. Failure to submit the required materials and/or to provide information that clearly demonstrates possession of the above job qualifications will result in disqualification.

There will be a competitive evaluation of qualifications based on a review of all application materials submitted. Applicants must clearly describe their experience in the areas designated. Those who demonstrate exceptional qualifications in the competitive evaluation will be invited to continue in the selection process which may include written and/or performance examinations, oral interviews and/or other related evaluation methods. 

Prior to employment, the prospective candidate must successfully complete a thorough background review, including being fingerprinted, as well as a medical examination, which will include a drug/alcohol screening. The resulting report of your conviction history, (if any), will be evaluated along with the other information received in connection with your application. Except as otherwise required by law, a criminal conviction will not necessarily disqualify you from the position. The nature, date, surrounding circumstances, and the relevance of the offense to the position applied for may, however, be considered.

This position is "at will" and serves at the pleasure of the Chief Executive Officer.

Hybrid/Telework and Flexible Work Schedule: This position may be eligible for a hybrid working schedule with 3 days in the office and 2 days working remotely. SBCERA offers a flexible 9/80 work schedule where employees work 9 hours each day with the exception of either Monday or Friday where they work 8 hours one week and are off the following week.