General Counsel

Job Title: General Counsel
Reports To: Chief Operating Officer
Agency: Office of the Bishop
Position: Full-Time, Benefited, Exempt

Job Summary
Oversee and assist in managing the legal issues and challenges of the diocese.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
1. Act as a trusted advisor with regard to general legal and compliance matters for diocesan-wide constituencies, including parishes, schools, subsidiaries and affiliate organizations.
2. Provide prudent and timely legal counsel to the diocese and collaborate with appropriate stakeholders to create positive outcomes to legal issues and challenges.
3. Draft and/or review agreements, contracts and other legal documents as needed.
4. Manage all legal real estate matters including sales and purchase contracts, and leases, including work with municipalities as needed or required. Attend real estate closings.
5. Work with the Office of Human Resources, the Catholic Schools Office and outside counsel on employment related matters for the diocese. This would include employment matters pertaining to the diocese, its agencies, parishes, schools and cemeteries.
6. Handle a wide variety of miscellaneous legal matters as needed including trust work, bequests, background checks, contract work, vendor issues, union issues, etc.
7. Work together with and help manage the activities of the outside legal specialists utilized by the diocese and reduce expenses where prudent and possible.
8. Assist appointed outside legal counsel with litigation matters as needed by making court appearances, filing briefs, locating witnesses, helping with deposition strategies, etc.
9. Some litigation will be the responsibility of this role, as well as managing outside counsel on other litigation.
10. Ensure all legal records are in order with appropriate legal structures for all diocesan endowments, foundations and special purpose funds and ensure that safeguards are in place for the various diocesan funds such as the Deposit and Loan, Cemetery, Special Purpose and Insurance Funds.
11. Assist diocesan insurers as needed to reduce general liability and workman's compensation claim costs.
12. Monitor relevant legislative activities and court precedents as pertains to the diocese and assess the impact to the diocese as appropriate.
13. Work with appointed counsel on insurance reimbursement matters.
14. Assist where possible with immigration matters involving clergy, religious and parish staffs as needed.
15. Responsible for leading the crisis management team for parishes, schools, and Blanchette Catholic Center.

Other Duties and Responsibilities
• Handles other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience
• Proven experience as legal counsel with a keen understanding of the Catholic Church environment is necessary.
• Strong communication, negotiation, problem solving, and conflict resolution skills are essential.
• Must have a J.D. Degree with 15+ years of experience, be licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois and be in good standing.
• High degrees of professional ethics and integrity are critical.
• Prior experience working for the Catholic Church or one of its affiliates is preferred.
• Must support the mission, philosophy, objectives and policies of the Catholic Church and the Diocese of Joliet.

Salary Range
Salary range is $115,000 - $145,000 annual, depending on experience.

Benefits
We offer a competitive benefits package that includes:
• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance, Basic Life and AD&D, Long-Term Disability Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Defined Pension Plan funded by Diocese of Joliet, 403(b) Retirement Plan, paid personal leave days, and paid holidays based on holiday schedule determined at local level.
• Voluntary benefits of Short-Term Disability, Critical Illness, Accident, Hospital Indemnity, and Permanent Life Insurance.

Working Conditions
• This is a full-time exempt position, with benefits.
• Hours of operation are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Evening and weekend work as needed or required.
• This position requires travel throughout the seven (7) counties of the Diocese of Joliet that entails some evening and weekend activity.
• Flexibility of schedule and reliable transportation are required.

To apply for this opportunity, please send a cover letter and resume to Pete Tamosaitis, Chief Operating Officer, at [email protected]. Reference General Counsel in the subject line of email. No phone calls please.

This document is not intended to be a comprehensive list of work-related functions. All duties and work conditions listed are subject to change at the discretion of the Diocese of Joliet Management. The Diocese of Joliet will, in compliance with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), accommodate essential job functions whenever feasible.