Strategic General Counsel — Mission-Driven Nonprofit

ThinkingAhead; Leesburg (VA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Prison Fellowship seeks a General Counsel who can pair rigorous legal judgment with practical, mission-aligned counsel. Reporting to the EVP, Administration and Partnerships, this leader will advise the President & CEO, executive leadership, and key stakeholders on organizational, regulatory, governance, employment, contractual, and operational matters.

The General Counsel will guide complex decisions, strengthen legal and compliance practices, oversee contract management, and lead a small legal

Qualifications

• Requires Juris Doctor (J.D.) from accredited law school.
• Licensed attorney in good standing with at least one state bar, with ability to obtain general counsel certificate within relevant jurisdictions.
• Minimum eight years of progressively responsible legal experience, including contract negotiation, corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and risk management.

Responsibilities

• Review and manage contracts, grants, planned‑giving estate gifts and charitable gift annuities, sponsorship agreements, licensing agreements, and memoranda of understanding; maintain organized storage for pending and executed legal agreements.
• Counsel internal stakeholders on contracts, corporate governance, lobbying laws, ethics, litigation, employment law, child protection, and regulatory compliance.
• Advise HR and business leaders on employee disputes, conflicts of interest, leave and accommodations, wage‑hour matters, employee benefits, and related compliance.
• Monitor federal and state legal and regulatory developments and help develop employment‑law and regulatory‑compliance policies, practices, and initiatives.
• Direct and manage outside counsel for IP/trademarks, employment practices, and nonprofit compliance.
• Contribute to Board, employee, donor, and volunteer policies and records on legal topics including IP, transactions, software, licensing.

Skills

Contract negotiation

Corporate governance

Regulatory compliance

Risk management

Nonprofit management

In-house counsel

Leadership

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Job description

Prison Fellowship seeks a General Counsel who can pair rigorous legal judgment with practical, mission-aligned counsel. Reporting to the EVP, Administration and Partnerships, this leader will advise the President & CEO, executive leadership, and key stakeholders on organizational, regulatory, governance, employment, contractual, and operational matters.

The General Counsel will guide complex decisions, strengthen legal and compliance practices, oversee contract management, and lead a small legal