General Counsel

Overview

A nonprofit organization is seeking a General Counsel to oversee internal legal matters and ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations. Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), this senior attorney role involves managing legal risks, advising on organizational policies, and supporting the organization's mission through sound legal guidance.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal counsel to the COO and executive team on legal and regulatory issues.
• Oversee compliance with nonprofit laws, contracts, professional responsibility and ethics, state gift rules, public records laws, lobbying regulations, IRS rules, and 501(c)(3)/(c)(4) requirements.
• Identify, research, implement, and monitor policies to mitigate organizational risks.
• Ensure adherence to professional responsibility standards related to legal services.
• Draft and review agreements and retention letters supporting litigation and other legal services; advise on conflicts and privilege.
• Manage compliance with IRS regulations, including governance and lobbying restrictions, state charitable registration, grant conditions, and applicable local and federal laws.
• Liaise with outside compliance, ethics, and employment counsel to maintain quality legal services.
• Monitor changes in the legal and regulatory environment affecting the organization.
• Maintain the organization's policy library.
• Develop and manage templates for commonly used legal documents and agreements.
• Implement standardized procedures to ensure consistent and compliant legal practices.
• Assist the COO with employment law, HR issues, policy compliance, and workplace practices.
• Advise on liability and insurance matters, coordinating with external brokers.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school and an active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• 12-15 years of legal experience, including at least 5 years in a senior leadership or management role, preferably as General Counsel or legal counsel in a nonprofit or state government setting.
• Strong knowledge of nonprofit and tax law, professional liability rules for attorneys, employment law, and laws related to advocacy, lobbying, and political activity.
• Experience conducting organizational risk assessments.
• Demonstrated experience supervising outside counsel and/or junior attorneys.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to work beyond standard hours, including weekends and more than 40 hours per week as needed.
• Excellent judgment, project management skills, professional demeanor, and client service orientation.
• Outstanding communication, writing, and editing skills.
• Positive attitude, strong interpersonal skills, self-confidence, common sense, and good listening ability.
• Ability to commit to at least 15% travel.
• Ability to work East Coast hours.

Compensation and Benefits

• Starting salary of $200,000+, commensurate with experience.
• Benefits include 100% employer-paid health, vision, and dental insurance.
• Matching retirement benefits.
• Generous paid time off.

Location

Offices are located in Boston, MA; Brooklyn, NY; and Washington, DC. This position may be remote within the United States, with required travel to organizational and team meetings, conferences, and other events as needed.