General Counsel

American Rivers • Washington, DC

111d • $178,300 - $227,300 • Hybrid

About The Position

The General Counsel leads American Rivers’ legal function and legal team, providing legal services across transactional and procurement agreements, employment law, nonprofit corporate governance and tax compliance, government funding compliance, intellectual property, lobbying disclosure, corporate sponsorship, and charitable solicitation regulation. The role serves on the Executive Leadership Team and directs legal services for American Rivers and affiliated organizations, including a 501(c)(4) and connected PAC, amid organizational growth and evolving needs.

The General Counsel advises the People and Culture Department on employment policies, benefits, insurance, and personnel matters; advises the executive team; staffs the Board Litigation Committee; and serves as Board Assistant Secretary. The position oversees a legal department of four and two to four summer law clerks. The posting identifies the President & CEO as the reporting role in its position details, while the job summary also states that the position reports to the Senior Vice President for Business Strategy & Operations.

The role is hybrid or remote, with a willingness to work Eastern Time hours when necessary, and requires travel to board meetings and other convenings as needed. The stated annual salary range is $178,300–$227,300, depending on experience and qualifications.

Requirements

• J.D. and at least 15 years of successful legal practice experience.
• Admission to the bar and good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• Prior experience as a senior attorney, preferably including General Counsel experience, with a broad legal portfolio and staff management responsibilities.
• Collaborative approach and ability to work effectively with internal departments, external parties, and Board members.
• Experience reviewing, drafting, and negotiating a variety of transactional agreements.
• Knowledge of labor and employment law.
• Knowledge of OMB Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance.
• Knowledge of intellectual property and charitable solicitation laws.
• Experience overseeing key elements of organizational risk assessment and management.
• Experience managing outside legal resources cost-effectively.
• Working knowledge of federal tax and election laws as they apply to 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and Section 527 organizations generally and public-interest law firms in particular.
• Experience overseeing a corporate insurance program or knowledge of insurance law.
• Ability to travel to board meetings and other convenings as required.
• Nonprofit experience, including experience gained through pro bono work, is required.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of nonprofit corporate law, particularly in the conservation sector.
• Experience with large construction projects and related matters.
• Experience working on matters of corporate law.
• Experience analyzing and addressing legal ethics.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local lobbying.
• Familiarity with, or willingness to learn, Slack, Zoom, Box, Monday.com, Intacct, and Microsoft Suite or similar tools.
• Knowledge of or interest in environmental law and policy matters.

Responsibilities

• Draft and review contracts and legal agreements, including master agreements, subgrants, corporate arrangements, memoranda of understanding, and leases, and advise staff on compliance matters.
• Develop, maintain, and oversee contract tracking and approval processes; monitor and report metrics; and recommend procurement policy and procedure improvements.
• Partner with program staff on RFPs and RFQs and identify, manage, and escalate legal issues involving project contracting, permitting, procurement, insurance, compliance, claims, and dispute resolution.
• Work with the CEO to review and revise bylaws and corporate documents, support sound governance, and help maintain the organization’s good standing with federal and state regulators.
• Advise staff on IRS rules for nonprofit lobbying, state charitable solicitation regulations, charitable watchdog reports, and 501(c)(4) compliance and programs.
• Develop and implement a proactive risk management framework; identify and escalate emerging risks; and recommend practical mitigation strategies.
• Reduce liability risk through internal policies and procedures, risk-aware handling of personnel issues, and contractual risk transfer when beneficial to the organization.
• Oversee the insurance program, including applications, renewals, coverage questions, risk escalation, and incorporating insurance requirements into contracts.
• Advise and manage employment matters with the People and Culture leader and support compliance with applicable employment laws.
• Establish performance-management systems and processes with People and Culture and develop and communicate legal and ethical conduct policies and procedures.
• Advise on other departments’ internship programs and manage annual conflict-of-interest acknowledgments and disclosures for staff and board directors.
• Lead recruitment, interviewing, and supervision for legal department summer interns, law clerks, and externs, maintaining a program that develops emerging attorneys and benefits the organization.
• Advise the Board of Directors, President & CEO, and senior management on governance, legal and regulatory compliance, risk management, and operational matters.
• Participate in leadership teams, management, and strategic planning, providing legal advice as needed.
• Advise the Executive Office Manager and Board Liaison on governance matters as needed.
• Serve as Assistant Secretary and maintain adequate corporate minutes and records.
• Staff the Board Litigation Committee, support oversight of organizational litigation, and serve as a liaison between the Board and staff.
• Advise and participate in board meetings.
• Counsel headquarters and field-office staff on organizational legal issues, litigation, and other legal matters.
• Provide prioritized legal advice on trademark and copyright matters, secure and defend national trademarks, copyrights, and branding assets, and coordinate with pro bono counsel as appropriate.
• Identify and prepare all-staff training on relevant legal issues.
• Oversee outside counsel strategy and engagement, including scoping matters, managing budgets and performance, and coordinating timely, practical, cost-effective legal support.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Long-term and short-term disability insurance and life insurance.
• After one year of service, a 3% employer contribution toward retirement; employees are 100% vested upon participation, with no vesting schedule.
• Four weeks of paid leave, eleven paid holidays, three floating holidays, and sick leave.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Home office stipend.
• Sabbatical leave every seven years.
• Six weeks of paid parental leave after one year of service.
• Focus Fridays with no internal meetings.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree