Assistant General Counsel

We're hiring an Assistant General Counsel!

Elevate your legal career by joining the Port of Portland as our Assistant General Counsel, where you will become an integral part of our esteemed legal team. In this role, you will navigate complex legal landscapes, ensuring unwavering regulatory compliance and cultivating pivotal partnerships essential to the Port's success.

About us: At the Port of Portland, we are committed to driving growth and fostering shared prosperity in our region. Our mission extends beyond traditional legal obligations; we strive to create opportunities, promote economic development, and uplift the communities we serve. Through our work, we aim to uphold the highest standards of legal excellence while actively contributing to positive change within the Port and our community. Join us in our mission to make a lasting impact and build a brighter future for all!

Your Role: As Assistant General Counsel, you will lead legal initiatives, navigate complex regulatory landscapes, and provide counsel on a wide range of legal matters. Your responsibilities will include drafting and negotiating contracts (including construction contracts) and supporting Request for Proposals (RFPs), solicitations, and public contracting Port-wide. You will collaborate closely with internal stakeholders and external partners to ensure legal compliance and mitigate risks effectively. If you are a seasoned legal professional ready to contribute to our organization's success, apply now to join our dynamic legal team!

Associate General Counsel: The Port of Portland welcomes applications from candidates with a range of experience levels. While the Assistant General Counsel role is designed for individuals with 8 or more years of experience, candidates with at least 6 years of experience may be considered for an Associate General Counsel position. The Associate role offers a great opportunity for growth and development.

• Lead and oversee one or more practice areas (e.g., contracting, real estate, employment law, environmental law, aviation, marine, leasing). Mentor others and lead cross-functional teams.

• Partner with senior leaders to proactively identify business and legal risks and manage the implementation of mitigation strategies. Contribute to overall business strategy and serve as an advisor and thought partner.

• Provide analysis, interpretation, and counsel to business leaders on highly complex issues, including those involving multiple internal and external entities.

• Lead compliance efforts and drive continuous improvement in compliance.

• Draft or oversee the drafting of highly complex legal documents, including contracts, responses, and letters.

• Provide legal advice, interpretation, and analysis on public agency functions and powers under applicable laws, including public records and records retention laws, public meetings laws, government ethics laws, legal holds, litigation, public contracting, and records disposition matters. Identify emerging issues in the public sector arena and propose solutions.

• Represent the Port in legal matters or lead a team in representing the Port.

• Develop and implement overall litigation strategy and oversee internal and external resources in responding to litigation, claims, or other legal activity.

We welcome applications from individuals with varying levels of experience. The Port of Portland is committed to considering all applicants for potential opportunities. If you do not meet the qualifications for the Assistant General Counsel position, there's an opportunity to join us as an Associate General Counsel.

• Advanced knowledge in legal research.
• Understanding of public agency functions and powers under applicable laws.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas is preferred: construction contracting, tech contracting, public contracting, and/or federal contracting.
• Proficiency in oral and written communication, including skills in presentation, conveying complex information to diverse audiences, and producing legally defensible written work product.
• Capability to make difficult decisions in situations where no precedent exists. Skilled at negotiation, especially on high-impact issues.

Selection Process (dates subject to change):

About us:

At the Port of Portland, we use everything we have - our three airports, three working marine terminals, six business parks, and all the resources, expertise, and experience behind them - to move with purpose, connecting people with powerful opportunities and creating value for our region. We know that every person we hire, business we work with, contract we sign and decision we make is a chance to make someone's life better. And we'll use our power and influence to unlock new opportunities and ensure more people share in our region's success. With YOUR help - together with our partners, customers, and community - we'll help drive meaningful change!

Do you have questions about this job?

Contact us: careers@portofportland.com

Safety: The Port promotes safety as a Core value and we seek to eliminate harm through a culture of active prevention, curiosity, evaluation, and action. We comply with safety and health policies and procedures and consistently look for improvements that support operational excellence.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Port of Portland is dedicated to maintaining and improving a work environment, which extends equal opportunity to all individuals, regardless of their race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability or sexual orientation. Employment decisions shall be made in such a manner as to further the principle of equal employment opportunity and to comply with state, federal and local laws. We affirm through this policy statement our continuing commitment to the principles of nondiscrimination.

Veterans Preference: Under Oregon law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Port of Portland positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veteran's preference for this job, please provide the qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

Background Checks and Drug Testing: The Port of Portland will conduct background checks and/or drug tests for positions where such tests are required by regulation and for other safety-sensitive positions.

ADA Accommodation: Accommodations will be considered for applicants or candidates with a qualifying disability that prevents them from participating in this process. Accommodations will be made where the Port can reasonably do so without imposing an undue hardship on the business or compromising the integrity of the recruitment process. An applicant with any disability who believes that they need an accommodation should contact Human Resources: call 503-415-6690 or email careers@portofportland.com.

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https://www.eeoc.gov/know-your-rights-workplace-discrimination-illegal