WORK OPTION: In-Office

The NBA is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace. To safeguard our employees and their families, our visitors, and the broader community from COVID-19, and in consideration of recommendations from health authorities and the NBA’s own advisors, any individual working onsite in our New York and New Jersey offices must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The NBA will discuss accommodations for individuals who cannot be vaccinated due to a medical reason or sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance.

Position Summary

The NBA Legal Department provides advice and counsel with respect to all of the company’s activities and businesses on a global basis. As an Associate Counsel, you will provide legal support to an Assistant General Counsel and the Legal Department generally on all labor and employment matters throughout the NBA’s business globally.

Major Responsibilities

Counsel HR on a wide range of employee relations, compensation, and talent acquisition matters, including offer letters, wage and hour compliance, performance management, discipline, accommodations, and diversity and inclusion.
Assist in collective bargaining with NBA, WNBA, and NBA G League referees; provide guidance to Referee Operations department on CBA interpretation.
Draft and negotiate employment-related and commercial contracts.
Collaborate with HR on drafting policies reflective of the NBA’s workplace culture.
Lead or assist with HR-related investigations.
Advise NBA offices outside of the U.S. on employment law requirements and draft template employment contracts for all regions.
Work with the Referee Operations department on referee hiring and performance management.
Provide harassment and discrimination prevention training to league employees, players, and referees.
Assist with all employment-related litigation matters, including administrative responses, subpoenas, discovery, and motion practice.
Monitor labor and employment law developments and best practices and collaborate with HR to ensure company-wide compliance.

Required Skills/Knowledge Attributes

Minimum of 3 years of experience specializing in labor and employment law at a top law firm or similar in-house experience.
Experience in litigation.
Experience in employee benefits is a plus, but not required.
First-rate writing and oral presentation skills.
Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
Ability to work on multiple projects at the same time and in a dynamic, growth-oriented environment.

Required Education/Professional Experience

J.D
Member of the New York bar

Salary Range: $190,000 - $215,000

The NBA does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or any other third parties. Any unsolicited resume sent to the NBA will be considered NBA property, and the NBA will not pay a fee should it hire the subject of any unsolicited resume.

The NBA considers applicants for all positions on the basis of merit, qualifications, and business needs, and without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, alienage or citizenship status, ancestry, marital status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, veteran status, familial status, status as a victim of domestic violence, or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

About the NBA
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a global sports and media organization with the mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball.  Built around five professional sports leagues:  the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and Basketball Africa League, the NBA has established a major international presence with games and programming available in 215 countries and territories in more than 50 languages, and merchandise for sale in more than 200 countries and territories on all seven continents.  NBA rosters at the start of the 2021-22 season featured a record 121 international players from 40 countries.  NBA Digital’s assets include NBA TV, NBA.com, the NBA App and NBA League Pass.  The NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with 2.1 billion likes and followers globally across all league, team, and player platforms.  Through NBA Cares, the league addresses important social issues by working with internationally recognized youth-serving organizations that support education, youth and family development, and health-related causes.

Associate Counsel - Employment & Benefits