Temporary Associate General Counsel, Commercial Contracts

NPR•Columbia, WA

13d•Hybrid

About The Position

NPR is seeking a sharp, transaction-focused attorney to serve as a high-impact contributor in our legal department, as a Temporary Associate General Counsel, Commercial Contracts. You will be responsible for leading a small team of lawyers to deliver sophisticated commercial agreements. The ideal candidate would be a skilled dealmaker with strong drafting skills and managerial experience who can protect the mission while navigating the speed of a modern media marketplace.

Requirements

At least 15 years of experience specifically focused on commercial law, with a track record of handling high-volume, high-complexity contract portfolios.
Deep, practical knowledge of copyright and trademark application within a media context; you should be comfortable navigating complex licensing schemes.
Exceptional ability to lead a negotiation, with the poise to represent NPR’s interests with sophisticated entities.
Significant experience interpreting how commercial activity affects a 501(c)(3) organization’s tax-exempt status.
Active member of the D.C. Bar in good standing (or immediate eligibility to waive in).
Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school.
Resume and a tailored cover letter.
Candidates who can articulate how their specific commercial experience aligns with the unique needs of a nonprofit media organization.

Nice To Haves

Direct experience in the legal department of a major broadcaster, streaming service, or digital publisher.
Experience using modern legal operations tools and AI-driven contract management systems.

Responsibilities

Lead the design and execution of various agreements, including membership agreements, network agreements, acquired program agreements, rights licenses, content deals, complex corporate sponsorships, brand integrations, and multi-platform advertising sales.
Direct the acquisition and clearance of intellectual property for NPR’s flagship programming, ensuring all talent, music, and third-party content rights are seamlessly secured for global distribution through various platforms.
Negotiate mission-critical vendor agreements, such as agreements for facilities management and specialized production services.
Oversee the legal framework for NPR’s retail and licensing initiatives, ensuring trademark protection and compliance in all consumer-facing product ventures.
Provide real-time, actionable counsel to business leads on contract disputes, risk allocation, and the legal nuances of emerging digital media platforms.
Modernize and refine NPR’s library of commercial templates to reflect evolving market standards and nonprofit regulatory requirements.