General Counsel

CASA INC•Hyattsville, MD

11d•$120,000 - $130,000

About The Position

WE ARE CASA & CASA IN ACTION SYNOPSIS: We Are CASA’s mission is to create a more just society by building power and improving the quality of life in working-class: Black, Latino/a/e, Afro-descendent, Indigenous, and Immigrant communities. Our vision is a future where we stand in our own power, our families live free from discrimination and fear, and our diverse communities thrive as we work with our partners to achieve full human rights for all. We Are CASA has a sister organization, CASA in Action, a separate, but related, nonprofit organization that is exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c) (4) of the Internal Revenue Code. Although We Are CASA and CASA in Action share a common goal of supporting immigrants and working class people in Georgia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and nationally, they are separate organizations with their own boards of directors. A set of employees at the two organizations, including the person filling this position, shares their time between the two organizations. This has no effect on salary or benefits. DEPARTMENT SYNOPSIS: We Are CASA’s Operations division is tasked with overseeing and synchronizing efficient and effective organizational functions. The division encompasses areas such as human resources, IT, sites, and compliance. The legal component of the operations division is responsible for overall organizational protection, including but not limited to managing organizational threats and attacks, anticipating and addressing legal risks, ensuring regulatory compliance, reviewing contracts, providing legal guidance and advocacy, and addressing other legal concerns as necessary. The focus of the legal component is on ensuring the organization's adherence to legal and ethical guidelines. The operations division plays a vital role in furthering We Are CASA's overarching mission by ensuring the seamless running of day-to-day operations. POSITION SUMMARY: The General Counsel (GC) will serve as We Are CASA’s primary legal officer, advising senior leadership on key institutional decisions, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations for both We Are CASA and CASA in Action. The GC protects the organization’s legal interests while advancing mission through practical, values-based guidance that balances legal compliance, organizational strategy, and risk management. This position oversees critical legal risk and compliance matters across the organization and affiliate entities, including but not limited to nonprofit, advocacy, and political matters, ensuring compliance and application of federal, state, and local laws while supporting growth and advancement of We Are CASA’s mission and values.

Requirements

J.D. degree with a minimum of 8 years legal experience
Civil litigation experience preferred, ideally including experience in one or more of the legal areas where We Are CASA works
Active membership in good standing with the Maryland State Bar
Significant legal experience supporting nonprofit organizations, labor and employment law, governance
Creative, movement oriented lawyer with deep expertise in organizational governance and protection, risk management, and compliance
Deep commitment to social change through a lens that protects and strengthens the organization
Significant experience in and strong commitment to workers’ and immigrants’ rights, including experience working with immigrant communities
Strong interpersonal communication, conflict resolution and negotiation skills
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Excellent organizational skills with the ability to work independently with minimal supervision and manage multiple ongoing projects simultaneously
Valid US Driver’s License and own transportation is a must

Nice To Haves

Bilingual English/Spanish (preferred but not required)

Responsibilities

Serve as We Are CASA’s primary in-house organizational legal adviser on all legal matters affecting the organization operations, governance, and strategic initiatives
Build relationships and lead partnerships with pro bono and industry specific external counsel
Oversee and guide teams on organizational protection and defense work ensuring compliance protocols across all departments and programs are developed, implemented and monitored
Provide timely, practical legal advice that supports mission-driven decisions while managing organizational risk
Advise executive leadership on emerging legal risks and opportunities
Develop proactive legal strategies that strengthen resilience and operational effectiveness
Provide legal guidance, leading and/or collaborating execution with other relevant staff, during organizational crises and emergency response situations
Partner closely with People & Culture (P&C) department and executive leadership to support and advise on union relations, employment law, personnel policies, and all other employment-related legal matters
Provide legal support during internal workplace investigations involving employee complaints, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and misconduct.
Counsel leadership regarding severance agreements and other relevant contracts
Serve as legal advisor on collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations - including strategy development, labor-management relations, union engagement, grievance processes, arbitrations, and contract implementation
Lead organization wide legal compliance initiatives including relevant policy creation, updates, and staff trainings
Advise leadership on nonprofit governance requirements, charitable compliance, lobbying regulations, political activity restrictions, campaign finance considerations, and tax-exempt compliance
Oversee document retention, records management, and information governance policies
Monitor and advise on changes in laws affecting the organization, immigrant rights, employment, elections, privacy, technology, election and advocacy issues
Review organizational insurance coverage and advise on claims and risk mitigation
Manage actual, threatened, and potential litigation directly involving the organization, particularly where the organization is a named party
Manage potential threats of investigations assessing risk, likelihood, protection measures, and communications and trainings for all staff
Advise on and develop litigation strategy in partnership with executive leadership
Establish and administer document preservation efforts and litigation hold procedures
Ensure collection, organization, review, and production of records in response to litigation, subpoenas, administrative investigations, and government inquires
Create and maintain systems that ensure records are properly retained, organized, protected, and readily accessible for legal and operational purposes
In partnership with Legal Director and Deputy Legal Director, support the Legal Department’s impact litigation efforts to advance mission and protect members
Advise the Board and executive leadership on governance matters
Prepare and review board resolutions, governance policies, bylaws, and corporate records
Lead on relevant disclosures and governance best practices ensuring compliance
Draft, negotiate, and review contracts, memos of understanding, consulting agreements, grant agreements, leases, licensing agreements, and partnership agreements
Develop contract standards and approval processes
Advise on legal and organizational risks in contractual relationships
Advise on privacy laws, confidentiality obligations, cybersecurity incidents, and data governance
Partner with Information Technology department regarding incident response planning and data breach response
Lead legal review of relevant organizational policies and procedures ensuring they reflect current legal requirements and organizational values
Perform other duties consistent with the responsibilities of the General Counsel role

Benefits

Generous paid time off, including: annual leave starting at three weeks per year (proportional accrual per pay period), two weeks of sick leave, three days of personal leave, and additional compensatory leave for exempt employees.
Sixteen (16) paid holidays per calendar year.
Health, dental, and vision insurance (We Are CASA pays 100% of the premium costs for the employee up to our HMO plan, 55% for couples, 65% for children and 60% for family)
Basic life and AD&D
Long and Short Term Disability insurance
Professional Development: Those pursuing a course of study related to work performed at We Are CASA may be eligible for a reimbursement up to $3,000.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
FSA Account including Dependent Care.
401(k) retirement plan with a 2% employer discretionary match.
Supplemental Health insurance
Mileage reimbursements for those positions that are required to drive on We Are We Are CASA business.
Cell Phone stipend for those positions that are required to use their cellphone for We Are CASA business