Legal Officer- Employment Law & Employment Litigation

The mission of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is to eliminate cancer in Texas, the nation, and the world through outstanding programs that integrate patient care, research and prevention, and through education for undergraduate and graduate students, trainees, professionals, employees, and the public.

The Legal Officer - Employment Law & Employment Litigation (“Legal Officer”) will serve as in-house counsel managing employment litigation and providing employment law advice and counsel.  The Legal Officer will oversee, manage, and handle employment lawsuits, claims, and complaints against the Institution and its staff and will coordinate litigation actions with the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of General Counsel.  The Legal Officer will also provide professional legal counsel to senior MD Anderson attorneys on employment law matters.

JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES 

1. Serves primarily as a litigation attorney within the Legal Services Department by overseeing, managing, and handling employment-related litigation, claims, and complaints against the Institution and its staff.  This person will work with outside counsel from, including but not limited to The University of Texas System Office of General Counsel, Office of the Attorney General of the State of Texas, and private law firms, as appropriate.

2. Performs research and provides advice and counsel to management, Human Resources, and other attorneys for MD Anderson’s Transformation of Work initiative, which is a strategic effort to enable flexibility in how and where work occurs.  In particular, this attorney will:
● Manage employment law issues that arise for MD Anderson’s multi-state workforce;
● Coordinate efforts between outside counsel and internal stakeholders to ensure that MD Anderson is complying with employment laws  outside of Texas;
● Research particular issues impacting the multi-state workforce and provide guidance to internal stakeholders regarding same; and
● Leverage internal resources, including LittlerEdge and XpertHR, to provide advice and counsel on employment law matters.

3. Performs all functions of a legal professional employed as in-house counsel as directed by the Managing Legal Officers and upper leadership, including communications with clients and preparation of legal opinions, memoranda, documents, reports, presentations, and negotiation of agreements.

4. Provides guidance and legal expertise to leadership, managers or other attorneys regarding employment law issues that may arise in connection with claims and potential claims and project initiatives.

5. Conducts prompt investigations of claims and lawsuits including witness interviews, document review, and consultation with other departments.

6. Assists with responses to subpoenas in federal and state court civil and criminal matters and in response to those served by regulatory agencies.

7. Helps oversee the process of assisting MD Anderson employees who may serve as fact witness roles in litigation matters to which MD Anderson is not a party.

8. Researches legal issues as necessary and drafts legal memoranda, motions and briefs.

9. Assists the Office of the Attorney General, The University of Texas System Office of General Counsel, and outside defense counsel with the preparation of trial defense, including witness identification and preparation, discovery, development of declarations/affidavits, pre-trial motions, trial exhibits, jury selection, and attends and represents MD Anderson at mediations, hearings, and trials.

10. Assists in the evaluation of Institutional exposure, and recommends settlement or defense of cases/claims where appropriate.

11. Prepares case briefings for the Managing Legal Officers and upper leadership describing facts, liability, defenses and strategic recommendations. 


Legal Resource

1. Assists in the development, preparation, and provision of training programs for MD Anderson’s workforce members regarding employment law matters.

2. Uses superior verbal and written communication skills and superior interpersonal skills and acts with an appropriate sense of urgency to respond to matters.  Assumes responsibility for creating and maintaining a harmonious work environment and provides stellar customer service to all internal stakeholders.

3. Presents educational programs to staff on subjects relating to employment law, changes in Texas or Federal law, and other similar legal topics.

4. Establishes and maintains litigation files that (a) permit access by authorized persons with a need to know, (b) are organized to facilitate efficient document retrieval, and (c) contain a summary of key information.

5. Establishes and maintains a database of lawsuits and claims, and periodically reviews this information with the Managing Legal Officers.

6. Prepares periodic reports on claims/lawsuits for departmental monthly and annual reports, senior management, governmental agencies and other entities, as needed.

7. Assumes responsibility for maintaining professional licensure, fulfilling professional continuing education requirements, and maintaining current knowledge of legal matters relating to employment law.

8. Assists with the review and development of Institutional policies and procedures as requested.

9. As requested, provides general Institutional support and serves on MD Anderson committees.

Other

1. Performs other duties, as necessary or desirable, to assist the Legal Services Department in providing timely and effective legal services to a large academic healthcare institution.

REQUIREMENTS 

Required Education\: Juris Doctorate

Preferred\: Multiple Degrees 
 

Required Licensure\: Must currently be licensed by the State Bar of Texas or another state, with acquisition of Texas license within one year of date of employment.

Required Experience\: Four (4) years as an attorney with significant experience in employment law and litigation.  Excellent management, organizational, communication, interpersonal, research, writing, and negotiation skills applicable to a fast-paced, customer-service-oriented, intellectually challenging and highly diverse environment.  Proficient in MS Word, Adobe Professional, and Outlook Calendar.  Ability to work independently and as part of a team.  




Preferred Experience\: Significant litigation experience from exposure at a law firm, governmental entity, or as in-house counsel, preferably at a large academic healthcare facility or hospital, governmental entity, or experience working for a component of The University of Texas System in a legal capacity.  





It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. http\://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html