Assistant General Counsel

The Public Interest Network; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 57,000 - 93,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid sick time

Paid vacation time

401(k) plan with employer match

Parental leave

Student loan assistance

Job summary

The Public Interest Network in Denver, CO is hiring an Assistant General Counsel to provide legal advice to non-profit organizations. This role involves advising on employment practices, corporate compliance, and risk management while drafting and reviewing contracts. Candidates should have a J.D., state bar membership, and 3–5 years of relevant experience. An excellent benefits package is offered, including health insurance and a 401(k) plan with employer match, among other perks.

Qualifications

• A J.D. and state bar membership in good standing is required.
• 3–5 years experience practicing law, especially in relevant fields.
• Strong commitment to the mission of The Public Interest Network.

Responsibilities

• Advise on employment practices and benefits, including policies and regulations.
• Maintain good standing with federal and state corporate regulators.
• Advise on state and local lobbying laws and compliance.
• Draft and review contracts, leases, and grant agreements.
• Work on risk management and adopt policies for legal protection.

Skills

Non-profit advocacy understanding

Legal advice and guidance

Corporate compliance

Contract drafting and reviewing

Training staff on legal requirements

Education

J.D. and state bar membership

Job description

Assistant General Counsel

Department: Legal

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Denver, CO

Compensation: $57,000 - $93,000 / year

Description

The Public Interest Network is hiring an Assistant General Counsel to provide legal advice to our network of environmental and consumer advocacy organizations. The Assistant General Counsel works with the General Counsel’s office and the Leadership of The Public Interest Network to provide strategic and knowledgeable in‑house legal advice and guidance to the leadership and staff of the Network and its groups, working with outside counsel as necessary. This position requires excellent judgment, discretion and the ability to oversee significant projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Employment practices: Advising on employment matters and benefits, including overall policies, advising on new laws and regulations, and specific day‑to‑day matters. Also includes training staff directors on legal requirements and best practices.
• Corporate compliance: Fostering sound corporate practices and maintaining our organizations’ good standing with federal and state corporate and tax regulators. The majority of the organizations in the network are 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) corporations registered in states across the country.
• Lobbying compliance: Advising groups on regulations and compliance with state and local lobbying laws.
• Contracts: Drafting and reviewing contracts, leases and grant agreements.
• Risk management: Working with organizations’ leaders to adopt policies that protect organizations from legal exposure.
• Additional legal areas: In addition to the above, the position may include work in areas including election law and campaign finance law, intellectual property and copyright, and First Amendment and charitable solicitation, among others as they arise.

Qualifications

• A J.D. and state bar membership in good standing is required. Preference for a bar admission in Colorado (or candidate may be admitted to the Colorado state bar within six months of accepting the role).
• Experience: The ideal candidate has 3–5 years experience practicing law, with at least some of that time working in one or more of the practice areas described above.
• Successful candidates will also bring the following skills and attributes to the position:
  • A strong commitment to non‑profit work and enthusiasm for the mission of The Public Interest Network and its member organizations.
  • Comfort working with both senior staff (CEO, VPs, Executive Directors) on major organizational strategies and with training brand‑new staff on basic relevant legal principles in an understandable way.
  • Prior experience working with or advising nonprofit organizations. Firsthand experience doing organizing, issue advocacy or political work is a plus.

Benefits

The starting target annual compensation range for someone with 3–5 years of relevant experience is $57,000–$93,000. Candidates on the lower end of directly relevant experience should expect to be on the lower end of this range; candidates on the higher end of relevant experience are likely to be on the higher end of this range. The Public Interest Network offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental and vision insurance for employees and dependents; paid sick time (60–72 hours/year depending on location); vacation time (accruing 10 days over year 1, 15 days over year 2, and 20 days over year 3 and thereafter); a commuter benefit program; a 401(k) plan with employer match; parental leave; long‑term disability insurance; and needs‑based student loan assistance. The organization also offers an excellent training program and opportunities for advancement.

Location: Denver, CO is preferred. Philadelphia, Washington D.C. and remote may be considered for top candidates. This position is hybrid, with three days in office.

The Fund for the Public Interest is an equal opportunity employer.