Environment America is seeking an experienced attorney to serve as its chief in-house counsel — with responsibilities ranging from corporate governance to employment and contracts to risk management.
Background
Environment America is a federation of state-based, citizen-funded environmental advocacy organizations. Our professional staff in 23 states and Washington, D.C., combines independent research, practical ideas and tough-minded advocacy to overcome the opposition of powerful special interests and win real results for the environment. Environment America, the new home of U.S. PIRG's environmental work, draws on 30 years of success in tackling environmental problems.
Environment America’s in-house counsel department provides legal services to state Environment and other affiliated public-interest organizations around the country on a variety of matters and practice areas, including employment law, First Amendment law, non-profit corporate and tax compliance, charitable solicitation regulation, and contracts.
Attorneys work with our leaders nationwide to oversee the growth of the network and ensure legal compliance in carrying out the organizations’ operations.
Job Description
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced attorney to join our in-house legal team as General Counsel.
Responsibilities of the General Counsel include:
- Employment Practices: Advising on employment matters and employment benefits systems, ensuring compliance with employment laws, and defending against employment-related claims.
- Corporate and Tax Compliance: Overseeing corporate board meetings and fostering sound corporate governance practices, maintaining the organizations' good standing with federal and state corporate and tax regulators and ensuring compliance with IRS guidelines relating to lobbying and political activities of nonprofit organizations.
- First Amendment: Defending the right to conduct door-to-door canvassing in cities and towns across the country and of students to organize by opposing undue restrictions on free speech rights.
- Advising: Advising staff across the country on legal questions, troubleshooting problems, drafting and reviewing contracts and other legal documents, addressing litigation issues, and responding to other matters in a variety of legal practice areas.
- Risk Management: Working with partner group leaders to reduce liability risk through adopting policies that protect the organizations from undue legal exposure.
- Operations: Overseeing and working alongside a team of four Assistant General Counsels and an administrator, creating an annual budget for the department, and managing systems.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have a J.D. and at least eight years of legal experience working in one or more of the practice areas described above, as well as a demonstrated commitment to nonprofit and political work.
Successful candidates will also bring or most or all of the following skills and attributes to the position:
• Excellent verbal communication, research and writing skills;
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously in diverse legal subject areas;
• A team orientation that combines congeniality and creativity to drive and motivate others;
• An outstanding work ethic and an entrepreneurial mindset;
• Enthusiasm for Environment America’s mission and commitment to grassroots social change;
• Experience managing staff; and
• Prior experience working with nonprofit organizations.
Salary & Benefits
Salary is commensurate with relevant experience. An outstanding benefits package includes health care coverage, educational loan assistance, a retirement plan, paid vacation and sick days, parental leave, and a dependent care assistance program. Opportunities for advancement, travel, and additional training are available.
Location(s)
Boston, MA or Denver, CO
Application
Please fill out our online application. Environment America is an equal opportunity employer.