Assistant General Counsel

Job Description

The Solicitor and Assistant General Counsel represents the USCCB and provides legal advice on a broad range of matters affecting the Church, with a principal focus on litigation and risk mitigation. Areas of responsibility include managing litigation strategy, overseeing e-discovery processes, and advising on records retention and management. Holds primary responsibility for providing legal counsel to USCCB offices and, secondarily, to member bishops-either directly or through their diocesan attorneys-on the matters described above. Serves as the principal OGC liaison and legal advisor to the Committee on the Protection of Children and Young People. Demonstrates a commitment to understanding, respecting, and advancing the USCCB mission and fulfills all duties in alignment with its Catholic identity.

1. Provides legal advice to USCCB committees and staff offices, as well as to diocesan counsel, on matters involving litigation, risk mitigation, and compliance. Areas of responsibility include civil litigation strategy, regulatory investigations, and related risk management issues. Coordinates and directs the work of outside counsel in litigation matters. Occasionally delivers presentations to Church and other nonprofit organizations on litigation risk and compliance issues. Represents USCCB's legal position and provides counsel on legislative and regulatory matters impacting litigation and risk exposure.

2. Assists with drafting, reviewing, and revising agreements between USCCB and external entities, with particular attention to provisions that mitigate litigation risk and ensure compliance with applicable laws.

3. Advises on, and when necessary assumes lead responsibility for, USCCB's legal needs regarding electronic records and document retention. This includes ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations, internal standards, and addressing discovery-related questions. May participate directly in litigation and pre-trial discovery in collaboration with outside counsel and/or the General Counsel.

4. Contributes 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.

Degree Required: JD

Qualifications:
5 years of practice in areas described in major duties and responsibilities

Other Specialized Training:
• 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.
• Working knowledge of office technology and tools, including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, email, Internet research, and document management systems.
• Familiarity with e-discovery platforms and electronic records management is highly desirable.

Type and Nature of Professional Experience:
• Knowledge of theories and practices of an applicable field applied at the level of a "full performance" professional.
• Practice of law in areas described in position description and description of major duties and responsibilities.
• Requires extensive knowledge of professional discipline and a working knowledge in several unrelated professional disciplines.
• Collaborate with peers, colleagues and others to achieve mission goals and objectives.
• 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. Examples include first- or second-chair roles at bench or jury trials; arguing motions to dismiss or for summary judgment; and handling evidentiary hearings on privilege, protective orders, or sanctions.
• Practice of law in the areas described in this position, including risk assessment and mitigation, compliance counseling, and discovery management. Examples include drafting litigation holds; supervising collection, processing, review, and production of electronically stored information; and negotiating ESI protocols and protective orders.
• Advanced legal writing and advocacy. Examples include drafting persuasive complaints and answers; appellate-quality briefs; motions in limine; settlement term sheets; and policy memoranda for leadership. Demonstrable ability to translate complex facts and law into clear, concise, and compelling written work products.
• Cross-disciplinary awareness to collaborate effectively on matters implicating employment, tort, administrative, and constitutional law, as well as nonprofit governance. Examples include counseling on indemnification and insurance coverage; advising on mandatory reporting and safeguarding obligations; and coordinating with communications and pastoral leadership on litigation-sensitive messaging.
• Collaborative leadership with peers, colleagues, diocesan counsel, and outside counsel to achieve mission goals and objectives. Examples include coordinating multi-jurisdictional defense strategies; facilitating early case assessment; and leading post-incident reviews to reduce future risk.

About the Employer

The mission of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is to be a means by which the bishops exercise in a communal and collegial manner certain pastoral functions entrusted to them by the Lord Jesus of sanctifying, teaching, and governing "in order to promote the greater good which the Church offers to humanity."