Associate Counsel, Litigation and Guardianship

Job Description: RWJBarnabas Corporate, Associate Counsel, Litigation/Guardianship

RWJBarnabas Health's Office of General Counsel has an immediate opportunity for an experienced attorney to become a member of our growing team of legal professionals. The role will report to the RWJBH Senior Counsel, Litigation/Patient Care/Guardianship. The Associate Counsel will provide legal support on a range of matters, with a particular focus on drafting and managing guardianship petitions and responding to subpoenas, including defending depositions, supporting allied health professionals in court and assisting with workplace violence matters. The ideal candidate will have strong legal research, drafting, and litigation support skills, along with experience in court proceedings related to guardianship and compliance with legal requests for information.

In this role, the Associate Counsel will work closely with key stakeholders across all levels of the organization. She/he/they must be comfortable working autonomously, learning new things, and making pragmatic decisions in a fast-paced environment. This is a challenging role with plenty of opportunity for professional development in an exciting environment.

Reports to:

• The Associate Counsel, Litigation and Guardianship will report to the Assistant General Counsel of Litigation.

Education & Qualifications:

• Excellent academic credentials and J.D. degree from a nationally recognized law school.
• 5-7 years of legal experience, with a focus on health law, elder law, litigation, or related fields.
• Prior experience with guardianship proceedings and subpoena compliance preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple legal matters with attention to detail and confidentiality.
• Experience working in a healthcare, nonprofit, or government setting.
• Familiarity with court filing systems and e-filing procedures.
• Knowledge of relevant state guardianship statutes and privacy laws.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team.
• Active bar membership in at least one U.S. jurisdiction and admission to the New Jersey bar.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects and deliverables.

The key responsibilities:

• Draft, file, and manage guardianship petitions, including initial pleadings, certifications, and proposed orders.
• Represent the organization in guardianship proceedings.
• Respond to subpoenas, court orders, and other legal requests for records and testimony, ensuring timely and compliant disclosure in accordance with applicable laws e.g., HIPAA, state privacy laws.
• Conduct legal research and provide advice on issues related to guardianship, capacity, and surrogate decision-making.
• Collaborate with internal departments e.g., compliance, risk management, medical records to gather documentation and respond to legal inquiries.
• Maintain organized and up-to-date case files and ensure tracking of all legal filings and deadlines.
• Assist with additional legal matters, including licensing board and workplace violence matters.
• Develop and maintain working relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders throughout the enterprise.
• Collaborate with other departments to identify legal issues to be addressed and assist the business in achieving its goals/objectives in a legally compliant and ethical manner.
• Prioritize workload and ensure efficient and effective use of resources; and
• Perform other appropriate legal duties as assigned by the Senior Counsel, Litigation/Patient Care/Guardianship.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Benefits and Perks:

At RWJBarnabas Health, our employees are at the heart of everything we do. Driven by our Total Wellbeing promise, our market-competitive offerings include comprehensive benefits and resources to support our employees' physical, emotional, financial, personal, career, and community wellbeing. These benefits and resources include, but are not limited to:

• Paid Time Off including Vacation, Holidays, and Sick Time
• Retirement Plans
• Medical and Prescription Drug Insurance
• Dental and Vision Insurance
• Disability and Life Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Student Loan Planning Support
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Wellness Programs
• Voluntary Benefits (e.g., Pet Insurance)
• Community and Volunteer Opportunities
• Discounts Through our Partners such as NJ Devils, NJ PAC, and Verizon
• ....and more!

Choosing RWJBarnabas Health!

RWJBarnabas Health is the premier health care destination providing patient-centered, high-quality academic medicine in a compassionate and equitable manner, while delivering a best-in-class work experience to every member of the team. We honor and appreciate the privilege of creating and sustaining healthier communities, one person and one community at a time. As the leading academic health system in New Jersey, we advance innovative strategies in high-quality patient care, education, and research to address both the clinical and social determinants of health.

RWJBarnabas Health aims to truly make a unique impact in local communities throughout New Jersey. From vastly improving the health of local residents to creating educational and career opportunities, this combination greatly benefits the state. We understand the growing and evolving needs of residents in New Jersey-whether that be enhancing the coordination for treating complex health conditions or improving community health through local programs and education.