RESPONSIBILTIES:
The Senior Counsel, Legislative Affairs will assist in the development, coordination, and implementation of positions and strategies on state, local and federal legislative and policy issues that substantially affect Cablevision's businesses as well as ethics, lobbying and campaign finance matters. The Counsel will be responsible for:
- Developing relevant expertise on a range of issues relating to Cablevision's business including its core telecommunications broadband and video services as well as ancillary issues affected by legislative initiatives, such as labor and tax issues.
- Identifying and tracking the political and substantive changes in all relevant legislation.
- Working to address key substantive issues regarding the company's positions on various matters in a form that will help to create positive outcomes in the legislative forum.
- Assisting in advising on business projects and opportunities.
Specific duties will include:
1) Tracking all relevant state and federal legislation that affects Cablevision.
2) Developing options and recommend positions and strategies on policy issues by:
- Researching law on relevant policy and legislative issues and analyzing positions of other companies and trade associations involved in our and related businesses.
- Organizing appropriate meetings with business units and others within Corporate Government Affairs to determine issues of importance to the company's business interests.
Assisting in developing, presenting, and implementing medium-range and long-range plans with the support and approval of senior management.
- Assisting in the development and articulation of key policy positions to aid legislative advocacy.
- Assisting the company in complying with ethics, lobbying and campaign finance laws and regulations.
3) Drafting and presenting appropriate documentation that implements the company's decision making.
4) Assisting in the management of the company's involvement in proceedings before the legislatures and other public entities.
5) Representing Corporate Government Affairs on legislative and industry matters by providing legal advice and support including:
- Coordinating the development of industry and company policy positions based on practical, factual and legal analysis.
- Drafting legislative language, and clarifying the company's position on legislative issues as they change throughout the legislative session.
- Assisting in the management of political advisors and consultants to ensure continued support for key priorities throughout the legislative session and off-season.
QUALIFICATIONS
- 10 years of professional experience with at least 5 years of legal experience dealing with federal, state or local legislative, policy or ethics issues.
- Background in government, bill drafting and review.
- Deep understanding of federal, state, and local legislative and political processes as well as business issues.
- Knowledge of telecommunications, broadband, VoIP and emerging policy issues (e.g., network neutrality) is a definite plus
- Knowledge of federal, state and local ethics, lobbying and campaign finance laws and regulations.
- Ability to write legal pleadings on complex policy issues.
- Ability to analyze and explain third party positions.
- Experience in preparing and presenting legal issues to high-level officials.
- Ability to effectively communicate the positions of the company in writing, including the drafting of letters and legal memoranda.
- Ability to present and visually display issues and advocacy in various forms, including power point.
- Ability to develop reasonable expertise on new matters in short period of time.
- Strong communication skills - both written and oral.
- Track record in completing projects in a timely and efficient manner.
- Organizational skills and ability to coordinate complex projects and work well with others.
- Energy and commitment as well as flexibility in reacting to a changing environment.
SOURCE: PUBLIC AFFAIRS COUNCIL 12/15/10
