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Posted June 13, 2019

General Counsel

New York, NY Full Time

League of Resident Theatres (LORT), the largest professional theatre association of its kind in the United States, with 75 Member Theatres located in...

League of Resident Theatres (LORT), the largest professional theatre association of its kind in the United States, with 75 Member Theatres located in every major market in the U.S., including 29 states and the District of Columbia, seeks General Counsel.

On the behalf of its Member Theatres, LORT negotiates and administers the primary national not-for-profit collective bargaining agreements with Actors' Equity Association (AEA), the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), and United Scenic Artists (USA), and provides support on personnel and management issues involving theatre staff, artists, and craftspeople.

LORT members communicate collectively via General Counsel’s office. LORT is also a forum for sharing information regarding all aspects of theatre. Semi-annual meetings provide opportunities for LORT members to study, discuss, and exchange information on non-labor management issues such as development, marketing, public relations, production, human resources, education, and technology, as well as provide a forum for developing professional relationships.
LORT is committed to the continued training of current and future LORT managers including a strong commitment to matters of equity, diversity and inclusion.
The principle objectives of LORT are:
• To promote the general welfare of our Member Theatres in the United States and its territories;
• To promote community interest in and support of resident theatres;
• To increase gender, racial, and ethnic diversity among our staffs, in our executive leadership, and our boards;
• To act in the interest and on behalf of its members in labor relations and related matters;
• To serve as bargaining representative for its members in collective bargaining with
Actors’ Equity Association (AEA), Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), and United Scenic Artists (USA);
• To provide guidance and assistance to its members in administering LORT’s collective bargaining agreements and maintaining stable and equitable labor relations;
• To represent LORT members

Overview
LORT is seeking legal counsel to represent and advise LORT Member Theatres on collective bargaining agreements and terms as well as on general individual labor and employment matters.
General Counsel holds LORT as their primary client and is available to members on business days on a year-round basis. General Counsel is expected to represent LORT by attending its own internal meetings; joining industry associations such as the boards of union pension and health funds; and attending theatre regularly. General Counsel will develop and grow direct relationships with AEA, SDC and USA executives and business agents, appropriate LORT Member Theatre staff, LORT leadership, and other industry influencers. General Counsel will employ and supervise the LORT Management Associate, who provides support to both General Counsel as well as to LORT in all its efforts.

Primary Responsibilities
• Provide legal counsel as it relates to the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements
with multiple unions on behalf of the Association, including representation and participation in negotiations, labor-management meetings, arbitrations, grievances and other union-related meetings.
• Provide clear guidance and interpretation for the administration of the negotiated CBAs to the Association at large and to individual theatres on an as-needed basis.
• Maintain direct contact/communication with the each of the Member Theatres.
• Employ and supervise the LORT Management Associate.
• Provide additional HR/Labor Law updates outside of the collective bargaining context and proactively identify possible future areas of concern or conflict.
• Maintain the library of LORT CBA knowledge base, including past practice, best practices, bargaining history, and continue to grow and develop this library for the use of the membership.
• Advise on general labor and employment matters for Member Theatres.
• Develop and manage relationships with partner union leadership and other industry influencers.
• Attend all semi-annual meetings of the Association and Board of Directors.
• Attend committee meetings as necessary.
• Mentor and support new managers at Member Theatres.

Essential Qualifications
• Admitted to the New York Bar in good standing.
• Demonstrated experience in traditional labor law, specifically collective bargaining and particularly negotiations.
• Familiarity with NLRB proceedings and arbitration.
• Excellent negotiating skills specifically related to union collective bargaining.
• Excellent communication, writing, and editing skills.
• Analytical and detail oriented.
• Knowledge of the performing arts and awareness of how commercial and not-for-profit theatrical producing and presenting operates.

The Successful Candidate Will

• Have a passion for not-for-profit theatre as well as an appreciation and understanding of all the performing arts.

• Have a balanced appreciation of the artists we employ while understanding the needs and challenges of our not-for-profit theatres.

• Be a great communicator and listener, capable of building and maintaining strong relationships with two to three different representatives at each of the 75 Member Theatres.
• Be able to form consensus from a diverse group of constituents, understanding the broad range of our Member Theatres and the mission of each.
• Have a strong commitment to supporting LORT’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Initiative.
• Have a sense of humor.

Compensation

LORT offers competitive compensation commensurate with experience. The compensation package includes a fixed retainer, additional compensation for the LORT Management Associate and a reimbursement for expenses

This listing expired on Aug 12. Applications are no longer accepted.

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