Retirement Staff Attorney

The Sonoma County Employees' Retirement Association (SCERA) is hiring a Retirement Staff Attorney!  The Retirement Staff Attorney provides legal advice and counsel to SCERA staff regarding the administration of retirement benefits and the interpretation of retirement laws. They are a key member of SCERA’s management team, supporting disability retirement and benefit appeal cases. This position collaborates closely with Member Services and works directly with the Board of Retirement and external partners. While not a supervisory role, it offers significant influence in case strategy and organizational planning. Additional responsibilities include:

Providing legal advice on retirement benefit administration and interpretation of applicable laws

Researching and applying federal and state laws impacting public pension systems, including County Employees Retirement Law of 1937 (CERL), Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA), and disability retirement law

Preparing legal documents and representing SCERA in administrative hearings and related court proceedings

Analyzing medical, employment, and system records to support disability retirement and benefit appeal determinations

Advising the Board of Retirement, collaborating with Member Services on case strategy, and supporting organizational planning

Consulting with the Assistant Chief Executive Officer/Chief Legal Counsel on complex matters to ensure alignment with organizational policies and legal strategy

As the ideal candidate to join the SCERA team, you will demonstrate strong strategic and creative thinking abilities.While not mandatory, experience practicing law within a public agency, administrative, or governmental environment is highly desirable. Additionally, you will possess many of the following:

The ability to interpret and apply public pension and retirement law, including CERL, PEPRA, and other public agency statutes, such as relevant provisions of the Labor Code or the Brown Act

Experience preparing and presenting cases in administrative hearings, mediations, or litigation, including analysis of medical and employment records for disability-related matters

The ability to advise government agencies or boards and communicate complex information in a clear, compelling manner

Strong legal research and writing abilities, including using major research tools and producing well-crafted memoranda, briefs, motions, and hearing documents

Analytical skills to interpret complex statutes, case law, medical evidence, and large volumes of documentation

Apply at: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sonoma?page=1