Staff Attorney

About WestEd

As a community of over 1,400 researchers, practitioners, consultants, and administrative professionals from all backgrounds and life experiences, we are committed to making a qualitative difference in the lives of youth, children, and adults. We conduct and apply research, develop evidence-based solutions, and provide consulting services across the country in both rural and urban communities to improve equitable outcomes for individuals from infancy through adulthood. Serving as trusted partners in the areas of education, health, and justice, our teams enhance capacity within communities and school districts to prioritize impact by asking the right questions, customizing methodologies, developing relevant tools, and implementing best practices specific to a diverse range of stakeholder needs.

Furthering diversity, equity, and inclusion is core to who we are and how we work. We are committed to working with our clients to illuminate and address disparities, value and elevate diverse voices, and ensure equitable access to our resources and services. Read more about WestEd's Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Come and join us!

SPECIAL NOTICE REGARDING THE WORK LOCATION OF THIS POSITION-Although WestEd provides the option of working at one of its facilities for employees, many roles allow employees to choose to work remotely for their own convenience. The decision to allow remote work at the employee's convenience is based on the requirements of the position or project in question.

Department :

WestEd's Legal Department is a small but mighty team of three that supports the organization by providing sound and responsive legal advice and analysis of issues. We stay abreast of current laws and legal trends that impact our business and foster a creative, collaborative approach to problem solving.

Position Overview:

This position will report to the Director/ Staff Counsel in the Legal Department. It includes primary responsibility for handling a body of transactional work and as well as providing training, advice, and counseling on various legal issues. Areas of legal knowledge should include contracts, research agreements, federal grant compliance, licenses and intellectual property, facilities/ leases, data privacy, human subjects research, joint powers agency governance, government contracting/procurement, and multi-state employment law.

Responsibilities:

Provide professional-level support to the Legal Department. The position includes a diverse set of responsibilities including:

Contracts/ Agreements:

• Responsibilities include researching, drafting, and reviewing non-standard and complex contractual terms and agreements, including contracts in foreign jurisdictions, teaming agreements, nondisclosure agreements, research agreements, data sharing agreements.
• Drafting privacy policies and terms of service for WestEd products or online platforms.
• Identifying potential legal risks in agreements and advising on mitigation strategies.

Legal Review and Advice re: Research Compliance

• As part of a multi-department team (data privacy, office of research integrity), advise researchers on legal considerations related to research projects, including compliance with federal and state regulations governing student privacy, human subjects, data privacy, and grant requirements.
• Review research agreements and data sharing agreements to ensure legal compliance.
• Monitor changes in research regulations and advise the organization on necessary updates to policies and procedures.
• Provide training and tools on research and technical assistance related legal issues.

Intellectual Property:

• Advise on protecting WestEd's of intellectual property, including patents, copyrights, and trademarks.
• Assist with acquisition of intellectual property and permissions needed for use of 3^rd parties' intellectual property.
• Advise on ownership and licensing contract provisions and agreements as they relate to data and works created.

Public Agency Matters:

• Respond to public records act requests.
• Advise on public agency procurement requirements including public bidding, interagency agreements, sole source, and business entity issues.
• Support client departments in updating policies and procedures for operational effectiveness and compliance.

Real Property/ Facilities:

• Draft, review, and advise upon real property agreements including leases and facility use agreements.
• Provide legal support to the Facilities team on workplace safety issues.

Other:

• Timely respond to legal inquiries in a variety of legal areas.
• Perform additional legal services and responsibilities as needed.

Qualifications:

• J.D. from accredited U.S. law school and good standing and licensure to practice law within the U.S. required.
• 3-5 years related legal practice preferred.
• Demonstrated competence negotiating, drafting, and advising on contractual, regulatory or legal matters.
• Experience in research and technical assistance compliance, particularly in the field of education research.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint, experience with SmartSheet, Box, and SalesForce a plus.
• Excellent organizational skills, including keen attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; ability to work both independently and as a team member.
• Excellent time management skills and the ability to multi-task and work under time constraints.
• Previous contracts and/or legal experience required.

*Note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Successful candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

WestEd conducts a criminal background check and education verification for all new hires. Any offers of employment will be contingent on receiving a clear background check in accordance with applicable law.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

The full salary range for this position, WestEd level 12, is $120,400 - $180,600 but WestEd does not typically hire at or near the top of the salary range. The typical hiring range for this role is $120,400 to $150,500. The actual offer takes into account multiple factors including but not limited to education; experience; internal equity, and other organizational needs.

In addition to the base salary, benefits include:

• 15% contribution toward retirement effective day 1 of employment
• Pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts
• All health/welfare benefits are effective first of the month following hire date
• PTO: 3 weeks' vacation (increases to 4 weeks beginning the 4th year of employment), paid holidays, and 12 days paid sick leave per year
• Life Insurance: value of 3x gross salary
• Opportunities for annual merit-based performance increases + annual incentives
• Professional development opportunities & mentorship program

For more detail about our benefits, go to: https://www.wested.org/work-at-wested/benefits/

Committed to the diversity of race, ethnicities, perspectives, and opportunities, WestEd offers a variety of social and professional learning communities, such as Employee Resource groups, the Data Intelligence, Insights, and Innovation PLC, and the WestEd Parent Community, just to name a few. We hope you'll consider joining us to build better schools, communities, learning pathways, and more! WestEd is a Drug Free Employer and maintains a drug-free workplace. #LI-Remote #LI-Hybrid. #Circa- ALL STATES