The Retail Litigation Center (RLC) is an innovative trade association that works closely with the general counsel and senior most litigators of the largest retailers in the United States to help them solve complex litigation issues facing the retail industry. Established in 2010 by the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) as an independent 501(c)(6) trade association, the RLC is governed by a Board of Directors of Chief Legal Officers from the United States’ leading retailers, and a president who also serves as the Sr EVP & General Counsel of RILA.
The RLC’s bread-and-butter has been developing strategic amicus briefs to help shape the decisions that form the fabric of the law in which retailers operate. But major national retailers face other significant litigation-related challenges. By virtue of their success, these companies interact with millions of employees and consumers, which makes leading retailers targets of frivolous mass action litigation launched by plaintiffs’ attorneys motivated by the fees such litigation generates.
In recognition of this dynamic, three years ago, the RLC created its Defense Division through which the RLC helps its retail members identify emerging mass litigation trends, learn how to prevent litigation waves from hitting their companies, and work together to develop creative strategies to respond to demands and complaints early in litigation, or even before litigation is filed.
About the Position:
Over the decade since it was founded, the RLC has grown considerably and is now looking to add a Litigation Counsel who will report directly to the RLC’s President. The Litigation Counsel’s primary focus will be working with our members’ corporate litigators and outside counsel in the Defense Division to formulate strategies to prevent and address litigation waves as they first emerge. Knowledge of the federal rules and procedural mechanisms, experience crafting pre-litigation solutions, and an understanding of the plaintiffs’ bar will be essential to this work. So will innate curiosity, genuine interest in collaboration, and an ability to bring people together in productive discussions.
No trade association experience is required. In fact, we are looking for lawyers with corporate or private practice litigation experience (especially in employment or consumer-facing litigation) who are interested in using that background to complement the trade association focus that the RLC already provides. In exchange, we will show you how rewarding trade association life can be when you work with smart corporate and outside counsel and with a collegial staff to design ways to represent an industry to help it solve some of its most complex litigation problems.
Day-to-Day Responsibilities:
Work with the Chief Legal Officers and other corporate retail litigators to assist in preventing and responding to mass action litigation.
Research and analyze emerging litigation waves and help formulate strategies to prevent and respond to the same.
Convene and work directly with inhouse counsel at the country’s leading retailers on strategies to address newly emerging and intractable litigation targeting the retail and other consumer-facing industries.
Help identify the best cases for the RLC to appear as amicus by canvassing dockets, connecting with RLC law firm and retail members, and vetting requests for amicus support.
Develop legal strategy and arguments and review/edit briefs drafted by outside counsel.
Host meetings of RLC retail member counsel on key litigation issues impacting them.
Keep current on all litigation affecting the retail industry and contribute to the weekly Courtside with the Retail Litigation Center publication.
Work with the RLC team to ensure that the RLC website is fully updated with all amicus briefs and accurately reflects the scope of the RLC’s work.
Qualifications:
J.D. from accredited law school and membership in a state bar.
At least 3-5 years’ litigation experience in a law firm or corporate legal department, including experience evaluating demand letters, negotiating pre-litigation strategies and corporate defense, and sophisticated understanding of pre-trial litigation strategies.
Bonus points for experience with arbitral bodies.
Bonus points for aptitude with the press and social media.
Comfort facilitating and leading group discussions toward productive outcomes.
Enjoyment from finding connections and building bridges.
Willingness to learn, lean in and recommend improvements.
Excellent legal analytical, organizational and writing skills.
Strong project management skills.
Facility on a PC and with Microsoft technology.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Benefits:
Unlimited PTO + 12 federal holidays.
Generous family and parental leave policies.
Medical, dental and vision coverage (FSA/HSA options available).
Employer sponsored life insurance, and short- and long-term disability coverage.
401 (k) retirement plan with potential employer match.
Professional development opportunities.
Team outings/gatherings.
Flexibility (including remote work options).
RILA is an equal opportunity employer and encourages people of all backgrounds, genders, ethnicities, abilities, and sexual orientations to apply. We are committed to being an inclusive place to work, while maintaining a workforce that represents the communities we serve.
Directed by the chief legal officers of the country's leading retail companies, the Retail Litigation Center (RLC) is the only organization dedicated to advocating for the industry's top priorities in the federal and state judiciary. The RLC also works with leading law firms and retail corporate counsel to develop forward-thinking strategies to combat meritless mass action litigation.
