United States Conference of Catholic Bishops · 1 week ago
Solicitor
Washington, DC
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level
$133K/yr - $170K/yr
5+ years expThe United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is seeking a Solicitor & Assistant General Counsel to provide legal advice on matters affecting the Church, focusing on litigation and risk mitigation. The role involves managing litigation strategy, overseeing e-discovery processes, and advising on records retention and management while ensuring compliance with applicable laws.
Religious Institutions
Hiring Manager
William Quinn
Responsibilities
Provide legal advice to USCCB committees and staff offices, as well as to diocesan counsel, on litigation, risk mitigation, and compliance. Areas of responsibility include civil litigation strategy, regulatory investigations, and related risk management issues. Coordinate and direct the work of outside counsel in litigation matters. Deliver occasional presentations to Church and other nonprofit organizations on litigation risk and compliance. Represent the USCCB’s legal position and provide counsel on legislative and regulatory matters impacting litigation and risk exposure
Draft, review, and revise agreements between the USCCB and external entities, with particular attention to provisions that mitigate litigation risk (e.g., indemnification, limitations of liability, forum selection) and ensure compliance with applicable laws
Advise on, and when necessary assume lead responsibility for, the USCCB’s legal needs regarding electronic records and document retention. Ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, internal standards, and discovery-related obligations. Participate directly in litigation and pre-trial discovery in collaboration with outside counsel and/or the General Counsel, including preparing and defending depositions, managing subpoenas, and coordinating privilege reviews
Contribute regularly to monthly publications reviewing judicial and regulatory developments of interest to diocesan counsel, as well as publications covering USCCB and federal activities related to litigation, discovery, and risk management
Qualification
Required
J.D. required
Minimum of five years of practice in the areas described in the major duties and responsibilities, with substantial courtroom experience strongly preferred
Demonstrated trial and litigation experience at the level of a full-performance professional, including developing case theory, drafting and arguing dispositive and evidentiary motions, conducting and defending depositions, preparing witnesses, and managing trial logistics
Practice of law in the areas described in this position, including risk assessment and mitigation, compliance counseling, and discovery management
Advanced legal writing and advocacy
Cross-disciplinary awareness to collaborate effectively on matters implicating employment, tort, administrative, and constitutional law, as well as nonprofit governance
Collaborative leadership with peers, colleagues, diocesan counsel, and outside counsel to achieve mission goals and objectives
Admission to a state bar or the District of Columbia Bar (must qualify for and obtain admission to the DC Bar at the earliest opportunity if not already admitted)
Strong knowledge of the Catholic Church's theology, structure, and hierarchy
Demonstrated expertise and scholarship in litigation, risk management, and related areas of practice
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to draft clear and persuasive legal documents and present complex legal issues to non-lawyer audiences
Working knowledge of office technology and tools, including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, email, Internet research, and document management systems
Preferred
Substantial courtroom experience strongly preferred
Familiarity with e-discovery platforms and electronic records management is highly desirable
Company
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is an assembly of the hierarchy of the United States and the U.S.
201-500 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageCompany data provided by crunchbase