Assistant General Counsel

Overview

A large non-profit organization is seeking a practical, collaborative lawyer to serve as an in-house Assistant General Counsel. This role primarily supports divisions and programs with legal matters including contract review, start-up business legal support, government contracts, public and private grants, conflicts of interest, and litigation support. Experience with election law, lobbying rules, and tax-exemption compliance is a plus. The Assistant General Counsel will work closely with senior legal counsel, staff, elected and appointed leaders, governance committees, outside counsel, and external parties to provide timely, strategic, and accurate legal advice and risk management.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day legal guidance, compliance support, and risk management advice for divisions and business units on operational matters.
• Manage contract review process for assigned matters (excluding Publishing), including review, drafting, and occasional negotiation of program agreements, vendor and consulting contracts, service agreements, event-related agreements, confidentiality agreements, and data-related agreements.
• Collaborate with revenue-generating teams to identify legal and business risks, recommend practical contract revisions, and support timely contract completion.
• Support governance-related compliance and risk management issues, including conflicts of interest.
• Provide legal support for government contracts and grants (federal and other public entities) and private grants, including review of funding agreements, compliance obligations, reporting requirements, and operational risks.
• Assist with litigation support including fact development, document collection coordination, discovery support, subpoena management, preservation and information gathering, and liaison with outside counsel.
• Serve as a first point of contact within the legal office for staff, divisions, programs, and governance participants on division legal matters.
• Support tax-exemption compliance functions, including lobbying and political action committee matters, to assist with program activities, operational decisions, reporting, and compliance obligations.
• Participate in internal committees and working groups as assigned.
• Coordinate with and support outside counsel on litigation, subpoenas, grant and contract issues, compliance questions, and other matters.
• Assist legal colleagues on special projects and cross-functional legal priorities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Juris Doctorate from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Member in good standing of the District of Columbia Bar or a state bar with eligibility to waive into DC.
• Minimum of 5 years of legal practice experience in relevant areas; 7 years preferred.
• Experience in non-profit, association, governance, contract lifecycle management, grants (governmental and private), corporate compliance, and litigation support.
• Familiarity with election law, exempt organization law, and general legal counseling preferred.
• Ability to serve as a generalist, exercise sound judgment, identify and address legal questions, and quickly learn new areas of law.
• Exceptional analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Strong interpersonal, negotiation, and collaboration skills.
• Excellent writing and oral communication skills, with ability to clearly summarize complex legal issues and explain legal concepts to non-lawyers including executive staff and governance participants.
• Team player comfortable working in a small, busy, and efficient legal office.
• Experience working with staff and volunteers on guidance, project planning, compliance implementation, risk assessments, operational approvals, and issue escalation.

Computer Skills

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, remote meeting platforms (Teams, Zoom), contract management systems, project management tools, approved AI tools, and other business and collaboration software.
• Ability to quickly adapt to new systems and use technology to organize intake, track matters, summarize issues, prioritize projects, and manage legal workflows.

Compensation & Benefits

• 37.5-hour work week with one-hour lunch breaks daily.
• Salary based on years of relevant experience, education level, and previous staff or governance experience.
• Remote work/flexible scheduling options available (subject to approval).
• 401(k) plan with employer match up to 4%.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance options including outpatient mental health benefits.
• Paid personal/vacation time plus 12 paid holidays.
• Family/Medical Leave.
• Tuition assistance.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Short- and long-term disability insurance.

Location

This position is remote but applicants may not work from the following states or U.S. territories: Alaska, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Iowa, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, U.S. Virgin Islands, Washington, Wyoming.

Equal Employment Opportunity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected categories covered under local law.