Overview
This full-time, exempt legal role supports a non-profit organization focused on ending abuse in sport. The Senior Legal Counsel – Arbitrations works closely with the Deputy General Counsel and teams across Response and Resolution, with a primary focus on handling and conducting arbitrations.
Responsibilities
- Serve as the primary attorney for handling and conducting arbitrations, including:
- Preparing for arbitrations
- Developing strategy for arbitrations
- Presenting the organization’s position at arbitration hearings challenging the organization’s temporary measures, findings, and/or sanctions
- Communicate regularly with claimants and witnesses in preparation for arbitration while adhering to trauma-informed principles
- Work with the Deputy General Counsel on the organization’s response to litigation and subpoenas, including coordinating with outside legal counsel and, with senior leadership, determining the appropriate use of outside counsel
- Provide legal advice to support organization-wide initiatives affecting the Response and Resolution team, including oversight of governance functions
- Coordinate with the Deputy General Counsel, Investigations team, and Intake/Resolutions team to:
- Identify policies applicable to alleged violations
- Determine the need for interim measures
- Review final decisions and sanctions on investigations
- Collaborate with Investigations and Intake/Resolutions teams to support decision-making across the Response & Resolution department, including implementation of temporary measures, threat and/or risk assessments, and consistent application of the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017 (“the Act”)
- Partner with the Deputy General Counsel to provide proactive counsel and guidance on legal implications of pending litigation matters
- Collaborate daily with paralegals to ensure efficient functioning of arbitration and litigation matters within the legal department
- Liaise regularly with outside counsel
Other Job Functions
- Work with the Deputy General Counsel, Investigations team, and Intake/Resolutions team to provide legal guidance supporting the Response & Resolution team, including bi-annual revisions to the SafeSport Code and supporting policy development and implementation, internal training programs, quality control initiatives, and other needs as assigned
- Other duties as assigned
Requirements
- Ability to handle multiple tasks and deadlines in a busy office environment
- Thoroughness, accuracy, and strong attention to detail
- Exceptional written and oral communication skills
- Integrity, credibility, initiative, and a commitment to the mission
- Ability to exercise a high level of confidentiality, discretion, diplomacy, and sound judgment
- Collaborative and flexible work style
- Thoughtful and deliberative decision-making
- Commitment to trauma-informed practices and principles
- Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to cross-functional teams
- Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of contacts, including outside counsel, executive and senior management, and business associates
- Strong interpersonal skills that lead to collaborative solutions
- Demonstrated ability to conduct arbitrations and advocate effectively for an organization in contested, adversarial proceedings
- Demonstrated experience handling sensitive subject matter (i.e., child abuse, sexual misconduct, etc.)
- Strong proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint, Word, Excel, and Teams (preferred)
Education
- Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school required
Licenses or Certifications
- Licensed to practice or advise on legal matters in the United States
- Member in good standing of at least one State Bar Association
Required Work Experience
- Minimum five years of legal experience in a law firm, corporate legal department, and/or other relevant legal experience
- Strong litigation and trial background, including significant first-chair experience litigating and trying cases, with particular experience in matters involving abuse
- Experience handling and conducting arbitrations and/or trials
- Exceptional demonstrated legal writing abilities
Compensation & Benefits
- Starting salary range: $130,172.00 - $144,000.00, commensurate with background and experience
- Benefits include:
- Paid time off for vacation, sick time, and holidays
- Group health insurance options
- Employer-paid life insurance, disability, and parental leave coverages
- 401k plan with employer match
Location & Work Environment
- Work Location: Denver, CO; or a location deemed suitable by the organization (e.g., near a major airport and in a state where the organization has established business operations)
- Current states eligible for remote work: AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MD, MI, MO, MT, NC, NE, NJ, NM, NY, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI
- Standard office equipment provided
- Office environment in a multi-story, dog-friendly building
- Some night and weekend work hours
- Some overnight travel required
Application Deadline
- Applications will be accepted through end of business day October 16, 2026.
Additional Requirements
- Pursuant to the Empowering Olympic, Paralympic, and Amateur Athletes Act of 2020: no applicant shall be considered within two (2) years of employment and/or board service of the USOPC or National Governing Body.
Equal Opportunity Employer
- The employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, creed, color, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability or handicap, sex, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, arrest record, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.