Employment Law Partner

As the Employment Law Department continues to grow, Michael Sullivan & Associates is now seeking an Employment Law Partner with 10+ years of Employment Law experience.

Job Competencies

- Must have a well-established and exclusive employment litigation, defense background

- Experience in Employment Law compliance document & wage/hour audits

- Experience in compliance, employee handbooks, etc.

- School district defense experience required

- Trial experience preferred, but not required

- Experience with public entity defense a plus

- Bachelor’s and Juris Doctor degrees

- Member, State Bar of California in good standing

- Superior research, analytical, and negotiating ability

- Excellent written and oral communication

- Commitment to proactive case management

Tasks Performed:

1. Litigation Defense & Risk Management for School Districts:

- Defend school districts in employment-related lawsuits, including wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims involving teachers, staff, and administrators.

- Handle disputes arising from complaints filed with agencies like the EEOC, state education departments, and labor boards.

- Oversee the discovery process, motion practice, and settlement negotiations, with a focus on public sector employment regulations and education law.

2. Strategic Counsel & Legal Guidance for School District Leadership:

- Advise school boards, superintendents, and HR departments on navigating complex employment laws such as Title IX, ADA, FMLA, and state-specific education regulations.

- Develop proactive legal strategies to mitigate risk in labor disputes, employee discipline, hiring practices, and contract negotiations.

- Provide counsel on addressing union relations, teacher tenure, and collective bargaining agreements to prevent litigation and ensure compliance.

3. Policy Development & Compliance for Educational Institutions:

- Review and draft school district employment policies on areas like employee conduct, tenure, discipline, and termination, ensuring they align with both employment and education laws.

- Advise on drafting teacher and staff contracts, ensuring compliance with public education laws, union agreements, and collective bargaining terms.

- Ensure the district’s practices comply with federal and state regulations affecting public school employment, including Title IX, ADA, and other education-specific statutes.

4. Training & Development for School District HR and Administrators:

- Provide tailored training to school district leadership, HR personnel, and administrators on legal compliance, best practices in handling employee relations, and mitigating risks of litigation in the educational context.

- Conduct workshops on issues such as anti-discrimination, sexual harassment prevention, and navigating teacher tenure and union rules, ensuring the district adheres to legal and ethical standards.