Must possess a Juris Doctor from an American Bar Association-accredited law school.
Must be licensed to practice law in the State of Texas.
Must be an excellent legal researcher and writer.
Must be able to work with multiple diocesan offices and multiple diocesan projects simultaneously.
Must appreciate the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, especially with respect to its administration.
Must have a robust understanding of canon law and the magisterium of the Church.
Must be available to respond to emergencies or urgencies outside regular office hours.
Must be a practicing Catholic with thorough knowledge and understanding of Catholic teachings.
Responsibilities
Provide legal counsel and support, including research and drafting and reviewing contracts and other agreements, to diocesan offices, especially the Office of Human Resources, the Business Office, and the Office of Construction.
Support the Catholic Schools Office, especially concerning accreditation requirements and TEFA compliance.
Oversee the diocesan Safe Environment Office, manage updates to the Safe Environment Policy, including the diocesan fingerprinting policy, and ensure consistent compliance throughout the Diocese.
Provide legal counsel and requested support to parishes and other diocesan entities, particularly by reviewing contracts and other agreements and giving instruction during times of conflict.
Provide legal oversight for diocesan, parish, and other diocesan entity real estate and construction projects.
Support the Chancellor in his role as civil and canonical counsel to the Diocesan Bishop.
Collaborate with and support the diocesan General Counsel.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Desired Qualifications
Experience working with the Catholic Church, especially with a diocese.
Experience working in employment law and/or real property law.
Approximately five years of experience.
Overview
General Summary of the Position
The Associate In-House Counsel aids the Office of the Chancellor, especially as legal counsel and in oversight of the Safe Environment Program. The Associate In-House Counsel will aid other Pastoral Center offices as well as parishes and other diocesan entities, at the direction of the Chancellor and the Diocesan General Counsel, in the completion of legal work necessary for administration in the Diocese.
Responsibilities
Essential Duties and Responsibilities of the Position
Provide legal counsel and support (research, drafting, reviewing of contracts and other agreements) to diocesan offices (especially the Office of Human Resources, the Business Office, and the Office of Construction)
Support the Catholic Schools Office, especially as concerns accreditation requirements and TEFA compliance
Oversee the diocesan Safe Environment Office, managing the updating of the Safe Environment Policy (including the diocesan fingerprinting policy), and ensuring consistent compliance throughout the Diocese
Provide legal counsel and requested support to parishes and other diocesan entities, particularly in reviewing contracts and other agreements and in giving instruction during times of conflict
Provide legal oversight for diocesan, parish, and other diocesan entity real estate and construction projects
Support the Chancellor in his role as civil and canonical counsel to the Diocesan Bishop
Collaborate with and support the diocesan General Counsel
Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
Position Requirements
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Must be an excellent legal researcher and writer
Must have the capacity to work with multiple diocesan offices and on multiple diocesan projects simultaneously
Must have an appreciation of the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, especially with respect to its administration
Must have a robust understanding of canon law and the magisterium of the Church
Education and Experience:
Must possess a J.D. from an ABA accredited law school
Must be licensed to practice law in the State of Texas
Preferred experience working with the Catholic Church, especially with a diocese
Preferred experience working in employment law and/or real property law
Approximately five years of experience preferred
Special Requirements:
Must be available to respond to emergencies or urgencies outside of regular office hours
Must be a practicing Catholic with thorough knowledge and understanding of Catholic teachings
DO NOT REMOVE
This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of the duties and responsibilities of the position. The duties and responsibilities of the position may be changed at the sole discretion of the Diocese of Dallas – Pastoral Center.
The Diocese of Dallas – Pastoral Center reserves the right to modify this job description without notice to the employee. This job description is not a contract and does not alter the employee’s at-will employment status.