General Counsel – Sole Attorney

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

Chicago (IL)

On-site

USD 200,000 - 225,000

Full time

41 hours ago

Be an early applicant

Application generator

A complete application in a minute — tailored resume and cover letter, ready to send.

Get past ATS filters

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits starting day one

Free admission to MSI for family and朋友

Free admission to other museums

Free parking in MSI’s garage

Job summary

The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago seeks a General Counsel to lead the in-house legal function with broad responsibility and direct engagement with the CEO and Board. The role blends hands-on legal work with strategic leadership to advance the Museum’s mission.

The successful candidate will oversee outside counsel, manage complex contracts, ensure nonprofit compliance, and partner across teams on risk, governance, IP and employment matters in a fast-paced museum environment.

Qualifications

JD from an accredited law school and license to practice in Illinois.
Minimum seven years of relevant legal experience; in-house and/or nonprofit advisory preferred.
Experience advising executive leadership and boards on governance matters.
Strong background in contracts, employment and labor law, and general corporate matters.
Knowledge of laws and regulations impacting 501(c)(3) organizations, preferably in cultural/educational contexts.
Experience managing internal legal functions and overseeing outside counsel.
Familiarity with intellectual property, risk management, and insurance matters.
Strategic, pragmatic legal advisor with strong business acumen.
Excellent written and communication skills; highly organized and confidentiality-focused.

Responsibilities

Oversee outside counsel and manage legal services for the Museum.
Lead and coordinate litigation strategy and legal proceedings involvement.
Review, draft and negotiate complex agreements across operations.
Advise President/CEO and senior leadership on legal, regulatory and risk matters.
Partner with executives to support mission, strategy and risk mitigation.
Develop policies and provide ongoing legal guidance on organizational programs.

Skills

In-house experience

Governance advisory to executives/boar

Contract law

Employment and labor law

Intellectual property basics

Risk management

Strategic advisory

Communication and writing

Organizational awareness

Integrity and discretion

Team collaboration

Reader-friendly governance

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school

Licensed to practice in Illinois

Job description

About Us

The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago is the largest and most interactive science museum in the Western Hemisphere. Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry (MSI) expose guests of all ages to awe-inspiring exhibitions that spark curiosity and bring science to life. MSI’s mission – to inspire the inventive genius in everyone – is realized through its world-class exhibitions and engaging guest experiences. The Museum of Science and Industry provide programs and experiences that deepen the engagement of students and teachers in science and science-related disciplines, with a vision to inspire and motivate our children to achieve their full potential in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.

We offer a creative, collaborative, and innovative environment for our employees. Our employees get great perks such as: benefits starting day one of your employment, free admission to MSI for family and friends, free admission to other museums, free parking in MSI’s garage and more! If you are equally passionate about our vision and want to be surrounded by a team of dynamic, smart and innovative people, the Museum of Science and Industry is the right place for you!

The Job

The General Counsel leads the Museum's legal function as its sole in-house attorney, offering a unique opportunity for broad responsibility, meaningful impact, and direct engagement with senior leadership and the Board of Trustees in a fast-paced environment. The position combines functioning at both a hands-on and strategic level, leveraging outside counsel thoughtfully to enhance internal capabilities.

Responsibilities

Legal Operations and Outside Counsel Management
- Retain, manage, and oversee outside counsel and specialized legal advisors to ensure high quality, cost-effective legal services.
- Lead and coordinate legal strategy for litigation, disputes, and legal proceedings involving the Museum.
Contracts and Commercial Matters
- Review, draft, and negotiate a wide range of complex agreements across all Museum operations including:
  - Exhibit fabrication and rentals
  - Construction and facilities maintenance
  - Artifact loans
  - Intellectual property licensing
  - Special events and education programs
  - Fundraising and development activities
  - Debt instruments and general commercial agreements
Strategic and Executive Leadership
- Serve as the primary advisor to the President and CEO and senior leadership team on all legal, regulatory, and risk-related matters.
- Partner with executive leadership to support the Museum's mission, strategy, and business objectives while proactively identifying and mitigating legal risks.
- Participate in the development of organizational policies, procedures, and programs, providing ongoing guidance on legal implications.
Board Governance and Ethics
- Serve as the General Counsel to the Board of Trustees, providing legal guidance on governance, fiduciary duties, and compliance.
- Act as a staff liaison to the Nominating and Governance Committee.
- Serve as the Museum's Chief Ethics Officer under the Code of Ethics including oversight of conflicts of interest and ethics reporting.
Employment, Labor and Regulatory Compliance
- Advise on employment and labor matters, including union relations, collective bargaining agreements, and compliance with applicable employment laws.
- Ensure organizational compliance with federal, state, and local laws affecting nonprofit organizations including 501(c)(3) requirements.
Risk Management and Insurance
- Identify and analyze legal and operational risks across the organization.
- Maintain and oversee the Museum's property and casualty insurance portfolio.
- Co-lead the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) program in partnership with the CFO.
Intellectual Property
- Provide legal counsel on copyright, trademarks, and other IP matters, particularly related to marketing, advertising, education programs, and exhibit development.
Cross-functional Partnership
- Develop a deep understanding of Museum operations and build trusted relationships across departments.
- Translate complex legal issues into clear, practical guidance for non-legal stakeholders.
Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school; licensed and in good standing to practice law in the State of Illinois.
Minimum of seven (7) years of relevant legal experience; significant in-house experience and/or advising nonprofit organizations preferred.
Demonstrated experience advising executive leadership and boards on governance matters.
Strong background in contracts, employment and labor law, and general corporate matters.
Knowledge of laws and regulations impacting 501(c)(3) organizations, preferably within a cultural, educational, or mission-driven context.
Experience managing an internal legal function and overseeing outside counsel preferred.
Familiarity with intellectual property, risk management, and insurance matters preferred.
Ability to be a strategic, pragmatic legal advisor with strong business acumen.
Hands-on, solution-oriented, and comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent written and communication skills with the ability to explain complex legal matters clearly and concisely.
Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to prioritize effectively amid changing demands.
Demonstrated integrity, sound judgement, credibility, transparency, and a high-level of confidentiality.
Collaborative team player with a down-to-earth approach and strong interpersonal skills.
Intellectual curiosity with the ability to quickly develop expertise in new areas of law.
Language:
- Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, standard operating procedures, etc.
- ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
- Ability to speak effectively before groups of employees of the organization.
Mathematical:
- Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as percentages, turnover rates, retention rates, etc.
Reasoning:
- Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
- Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Physical:
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle or feel and talk or hear.
- The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms.
- The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; and taste or smell.
- The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
Work Environment:
- The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.