Leading the legal function and heading the legal team, the General Counsel provides legal services to American Rivers across a broad range of matters, including transactional and procurement agreements, employment law, nonprofit corporate governance, and tax compliance. This role serves as a member of the Executive Leadership Team, directing and managing all aspects of legal services for a national nonprofit organization and its affiliated organizations during a period of growth and evolving organizational needs.
Responsibilities
Draft and review contracts and other legal agreements, including master agreements, subgrants, corporate arrangements, memoranda of understanding, and leases, and advise staff on related compliance matters
Develop, maintain, and oversee contracts tracking and approval process; monitor and report on metrics; and recommend improvements to procurement policies and procedures as needed
Partner with program staff on the development and execution of RFPs and RFQs, and identify, manage, and escalate the legal issues arising for projects contracting, permitting, procurement, insurance, compliance, claims, and dispute resolution
Review and revise bylaws and other corporate documents with the CEO, support sound corporate governance practices, and help maintain American Rivers’ good standing with federal and state regulators
Advise staff to ensure compliance with IRS guidelines related to lobbying activities by nonprofit organizations
Advise staff on state regulations applicable to charitable solicitation and assist with charitable watchdog reports as needed
Advise staff on 501(c)(4) organizational compliance and program
Develop and implement a proactive risk management framework, identify and escalate emerging legal, operational, and compliance risks to leadership, and recommend practical mitigation strategies
Lead efforts to reduce liability risk by developing and reviewing internal policies and procedures
Address personnel issues in ways that minimize risk and reduce the likelihood of litigation
Recommend transferring risk contractually to protect the organization from undue legal exposure if in aggregate beneficial to American Rivers
Oversee the organization’s insurance program, including applications, renewals, coverage questions, risk escalation, and integration of insurance requirements into contracts
Advise and manage employment matters in close partnership with the People and Culture leader, including high-priority personnel issues
Support People and Culture in ensuring compliance with applicable employment laws
Establish systems and processes with People and Culture to support best practices in performance management
Develop and communicate policies and procedures related to standards of legal and ethical conduct
Millions of jobs, with real people getting hired every day
200,000+
New jobs added daily
7,000,000+
Verified job listings
1,000,000+
Tailored applications submitted
Advise on the internship programs for other departments throughout the organization
Manage the annual conflict-of-interest acknowledgment for staff and board directors, as well as the disclosure process
Lead recruitment, interviewing, and supervision for the legal department's summer internship program (including legal clerkships) and externships, maintaining and strengthening a rigorous program that develops emerging attorneys while benefiting the organization
Advise the Board of Directors, President & CEO, and senior management on corporate governance, legal and regulatory compliance, risk management, and other issues affecting operations
Participate as a member of key leadership teams, contributing to management and strategic planning and providing legal advice as needed
Advise the Executive Office Manager and Board Liaison as needed in governance-related areas
Serve as Assistant Secretary to maintain the adequacy of corporate minutes and records
Staff the Board Litigation Committee to support review and oversight of organizational litigation and serve as a liaison between the Board and staff
Advise and participate in board meetings
Advise staff in headquarters and field offices on organizational legal issues, litigation matters, and other matters across a range of legal practice areas
Provide legal advice on trademark and copyright matters, secure and defend national trademarks, copyrights, and branding assets, coordinating with pro bono counsel as necessary, as prioritized and requested by management
Identify and prepare all-staff training on legal issues relevant to the organization
Oversee outside counsel strategy and engagement, including matter scoping, budget management, performance oversight, and coordination to ensure timely, practical, and cost-effective legal support
Requirements
J.D. and at least 15 years of successful legal practice experience
Bar admission 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 with the ability to work effectively with multiple internal departments, external parties, and members of the Board
Experience reviewing, drafting, and negotiating a variety of transactional agreements
Knowledge of labor and employment law
Knowledge of the 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 with cost-effective management of outside legal resources
Working knowledge of federal tax and election laws as they apply to 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and Section 527 organizations in general 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
Nice to have:
Knowledge of non-profit corporate law, specifically in the conservation sector
Experience with large construction projects
Experience working on matters of corporate
Experience in analyzing and addressing legal ethics
Knowledge of federal, state, and local lobbying
Non-profit experience, which can be through pro bono
Familiarity with or willingness to learn our suite of tools, including Slack, Zoom, Box, Monday.com, Intacct, and the Microsoft Suite or similar tools
Knowledge of or interest in environmental law and policy matters
Benefits
Health and Wellness: Medical, dental, vision, long-term and short-term disability, and life insurance
Financial Security: After one year of service, American Rivers begins contributing a 3% employer contribution; employees are 100% vested upon participation
Time Off: Four weeks of paid leave, eleven paid holidays, three floating holidays, and sick leave
Focus Fridays (no internal meetings)
Professional development opportunities
Home office stipend
Sabbatical leave (every seven years)
Paid parental leave (six weeks with one year of service)
Important Details
Position Classification: Vice President or Senior Vice President
Reports to: President & CEO
Work format: Hybrid or Remote with a willingness to work ET hours when necessary
Team: Oversees a legal department of four and two to four summer law clerks
About the Company
American Rivers is a national conservation organization working to make every river clean and healthy for people and wildlife. For more than 50 years, its staff, supporters, and partners have been driven by a common belief: Life Depends on Rivers. The organization combines evidence-based solutions with enduring partnerships to safeguard the 4.4 million miles of rivers and streams that are essential to the nation’s clean drinking water, extraordinary wildlife, and the strength of its communities.
American Rivers protects wild rivers, restores damaged rivers, and conserves clean water for people and nature.
