Assistant General Counsel

Fund for the Public Interest; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 57,000 - 93,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid time off

401(k)

Job summary

Fund for the Public Interest invites applications for an Assistant General Counsel in Denver. The role provides strategic, in-house legal guidance to The Public Interest Network and its member groups, with a focus on employment, contracts, compliance, and lobbying matters.

Hybrid work arrangement, minimum 3 days in-office, and collaboration with senior leadership are expected. The successful candidate will hold a J.D.

Qualifications

• J.D. and active state bar in good standing required.
• 3–5 years of legal practice experience preferred, with nonprofit exposure.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic in-house legal advice to leadership and staff across the network.
• Advise on employment practices and benefits and staff training.
• Oversee corporate compliance and maintain good standing with regulators.
• Draft and review contracts, leases, and grant agreements.
• Advise on lobbying compliance and related regulations.
• Assist in risk management and other legal areas as needed.

Skills

Non-profit experience

Legal drafting

Stakeholder communication

Policy compliance

Education

J.D. (law degree)

Tools

Regulatory research

Job 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 Public Interest Network consists of organizations, such as PIRG (Public Interest Research Group), Environment America, and their state groups, that are committed to a shared vision of a new future and a strategic approach to change. Our groups work for clean air and water, protection of wildlife and open spaces, a livable climate, and are an advocate for consumers, advancing solutions to problems that affect our health, our safety and our well-being. We work across the political spectrum for pragmatic solutions, prioritizing making a difference in people’s lives over “making a statement.” Our groups use a variety of methods including advocacy, education and organizing to achieve these goals, working in more than 25 states with more than 250 full time staff. We also work closely with the Fund for the Public Interest, which conducts fundraising, membership-building, and other organization-building efforts on behalf of organizations within the Network.

The Assistant General Counsel works with the rest of 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 Colorado state bar within 6 months of accepting 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 the most senior staff (CEO, Vice Presidents, Executive Directors) on major organizational strategies, and with training brand new staff on basic relevant legal principles in an understandable way; and
  • 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. Our benefits package includes 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 may include needs-based student loan assistance. We also offer 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 3 days in office.

Why work with the Public Interest Network? Check out 10 reasons: https://publicinterestnetwork.org/why-work-with-us/

Our Mission and Values

Why work with The Public Interest Network? Here are ten reasons: https://publicinterestnetwork.org/why-work-with-us/

The Public Interest Network operates and supports organizations committed to a shared vision of a better world and a strategic approach to social change. Visit https://publicinterestnetwork.org/core-values for things you should know about our network when you apply.

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