Nonprofit
General Counsel
Details
Description
L4GG seeks an experienced, mission-driven General Counsel to join our senior management team as L4GG’s chief legal advisor on all legal matters impacting the organization. This role is ideal for an experienced attorney with a deep understanding of nonprofit law (including compliance, audits, and investigations); contract law; professional responsibility rules, particularly in connection with litigation; and social justice frameworks.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Legal Strategy, Risk Management & Compliance
- Provide strategic legal counsel to the Executive Director, management team, and board of Directors on legal and regulatory matters that impact our work.
- Anticipate and mitigate legal risks that could affect the organization’s operations, reputation, and/or ability to fulfill our mission.
- Ensure compliance with IRS 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) regulations, lobbying and advocacy restrictions, state charitable registration requirements, grant conditions, and applicable local and federal laws.
- Ensure that the organization (including staff and pro bono attorneys) upholds all professional responsibility requirements associated with delivering legal services, including drafting retention letters and establishing client/matter protocols to ensure compliance with all applicable laws
- Build and maintain policies, procedures and internal systems to manage risk and uphold ethical standards.
- Advise leadership on liability and insurance matters, working with external brokers to determine appropriate insurance liability products.
- Draft and negotiate co-counsel agreements, expert agreements, and retention letters that support litigation, transactional, administrative agency and other direct legal services; provide guidance on questions regarding conflicts and privilege.
Governance, Contracts, and External Counsel Oversight
- Advise the Board of Directors on governance best practices, bylaws, conflict of interest policies, and fiduciary responsibilities. Support the Board in meeting compliance, reporting, and governance obligations.
- Draft and/or review and negotiate contracts, subgrant agreements, MOUs, and partnership agreements to ensure clarity and compliance.
- Serve as primary liaison with outside counsel to ensure the quality of legal services delivered to the organization.
Employment Law and Intellectual Property
- Provide counsel on employment law, HR policy, and workplace practices that advance equity and inclusion.
- Partner with HR and senior leadership to maintain legally compliant and equitable employment systems.
- Protect the organization’s intellectual property, including trademarks and copyrights.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
- Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school and active license to practice in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
- Access to a quiet workspace with high-speed internet and the ability to take calls and video meetings during working hours while protecting the privacy and confidentiality of all participants and information shared during the meetings.
- Minimum 10-15 years of progressive legal experience, including at least 5 years in a senior leadership or management role, preferably including work with mission-driven nonprofits, advocacy organizations, or foundations.
- Strong understanding of nonprofit and tax-exempt law, professional liability rules for attorneys, employment law, and laws affecting advocacy, lobbying and political activity rules, and grassroots organizing.
- Strong negotiation skills.
- Familiar with laws governing charitable giving.
- Demonstrated experience supervising outside counsel and/or junior attorneys, preferably in a mission-driven or advocacy setting.
- Experience supporting complex partnerships, coalitions, or grant-funded initiatives.
- Deep commitment to the mission of Lawyers for Good Government.
- A proactive thinker who can foresee challenges and propose effective solutions.
- Highly organized, detail-oriented, and professional; capable of representing the organization both internally and externally.
- Tech-savvy, comfortable with quickly mastering new digital tools.
- Excellent judgment, communication, and relationship-building skills; able to communicate complex legal issues to both lawyers and non-lawyers effectively.
Preferred:
- Experience with one or more of the following program areas: Civil and human rights, democracy and rule of law, and climate change and environmental justice.
- Familiarity with foundation grantmaking requirements and lobbying compliance frameworks (e.g., 501(h) election, LDA).
- Experience supporting or advising executive leadership and Boards.
- Lived experience or community connection relevant to L4GG’s mission.
- Experience with any or all of the following digital tools: Google Suite, Clio, Zoom, Slack, Airtable and/or Asana.
Benefits
L4GG offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including:
- Remote work
- Flexible work schedule
- Paid time off
- Medical, dental & vision coverage
- Short-term/long-term disability insurance
- Life insurance
- 403(b) retirement plan
- Flexible spending account (FSA)
- Reimbursement for bar dues in one U.S. state
- Reimbursement for work-related phone and internet expenses
Location
Associated Location
# 5001
How to Apply
Please go to click here to submit your application. If you have any questions please email apply@lawyersforgoodgovernment.org.
L4GG is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides equal opportunity for all employees or prospective employees without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status, disability, medical condition, and any other categories protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. L4GG’s mission is to achieve "good government" that respects the rights and acknowledges the dignity of all persons regardless of their membership in a protected class. To achieve that goal, L4GG strongly encourages applications from people of color, women, and LGBTQ+, and other applicants from underrepresented communities.
