Overview
A Senior Attorney role is available to provide legal advice and direction supporting long-term investment portfolio decision-making and impact investments. This position is critical to ensuring the organization’s sustainability and ability to engage in both short- and long-term conservation efforts, as well as innovative solutions to current challenges.
This role primarily supports two teams: the Office of Investments and Impact Finance and Markets. The Senior Attorney will serve as the main legal contact for the Office of Investments, drafting and negotiating private investment fund and direct investment documentation largely independently. The role also involves negotiating complex impact investing transactions, including debt and equity investments.
The attorney ensures all transactions comply with the organization’s mission, authority, policies, and procedures, applying strong analytical and risk management skills. Clear communication of complex legal concepts to non-lawyers is essential.
This position is part of the Corporate Services Legal Team, reporting to a senior attorney, and may also advise on corporate governance matters for subsidiaries and securities law issues across the organization. The role is remote within the U.S. with approximately 10% travel.
Responsibilities
- Provide legal guidance on structuring transactional activities to meet organizational goals.
- Draft, review, negotiate, and advise on complex agreements with financial service providers, fund managers, investors, non-profits, governments, and corporations.
- Advise on legal matters related to finance and investments, including endowment investments and impact investment deals.
- Support other attorneys with substantive expertise.
- Serve as an organization-wide advisor on private securities and major projects.
- Influence decision-makers through effective communication.
- Manage outside counsel.
- Advise on corporate governance and management of subsidiaries and affiliated entities.
- Supervise or guide less experienced attorneys, paralegals, and support staff as needed.
- Assist in developing policies and procedures to ensure compliance with laws and organizational goals.
- Perform special projects as requested.
- Serve as primary legal contact for various clients.
- Occasionally travel and work flexible or extended hours as needed.
Requirements
- Juris Doctorate or equivalent and licensed to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
- Minimum of 5 years of relevant legal experience, including negotiating complex transactions and agreements.
- Strong background in fund formation and venture capital work; candidates should have a deal sheet ready.
- Expertise in securities law.
- Experience negotiating limited partnership agreements and/or working with general partner funds.
- Solutions-oriented with the ability to navigate complex issues creatively and decisively.
- Collegial team player with gravitas and comfort working with senior-level contacts.
- Strong business acumen and commercially minded.
- Sense of humor.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in-house or at a law firm advising clients and senior management.
- Global and multicultural experience with cultural sensitivity.
- Corporate governance experience.
- Ability to navigate complex matrix organizations (can be learned).
- Familiarity with nonprofit tax issues (can be learned).
Compensation & Benefits
- Starting salary range: $145,000 - $185,000 (applicable to U.S.-based candidates).
- Actual salary within this range depends on location, qualifications, skills, and experience.
- Benefits include health care, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) with 8% employer match, parental leave, paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, and other well-being benefits.
- Flexible work environment supporting employee health and well-being.
Location
- Remote position based in the United States.
- Approximately 10% travel required.
Equal Opportunity
The organization is committed to equal employment opportunity and values diversity in all forms. Applicants from all backgrounds, cultures, and identities are encouraged to apply. Accommodations are available for qualified individuals with disabilities during the application process.