Assistant General Counsel

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in District of Columbia, +1 more state.

📋 Description

• Manage routine to moderately complex legal projects under the supervision of the General Counsel.

• Offer extensive legal guidance across AFT’s nonprofit operations.

• Serve as the legal liaison for AFT programs.

• Draft, review, and negotiate legal documents related to programs.

• Provide advice on advocacy, lobbying, ethics laws, nondisclosure agreements, and conduct legal research.

• Oversee entity formations, management, and dissolutions.

• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, subawards, MOUs, donor agreements, and other legal agreements.

• Advise on compliance with federal and state grants, including OMB Uniform Guidance.

• Guide development staff on commercial co-ventures, corporate sponsorships, and fundraising issues.

• Support the development of contract templates and contracting processes.

• Provide counsel on intellectual property protection and management.

• Review and negotiate intellectual property licensing agreements.

• Manage trademark registration, maintenance, and infringement issues.

• Advise management and HR on employment law, employment policies, and compliance matters.

• Collaborate with outside employment counsel.

• Assist in workplace investigations and advise on remedial actions.

• Provide legal support for internal controls and policies.

• Address issues related to data privacy, cybersecurity, and records retention.

• Manage litigation matters and oversee outside litigation counsel.

• Evaluate legal claims and defenses while offering strategic recommendations.

• Coordinate discovery responses and ensure document preservation.

• Support land-related projects, encompassing conservation easements, real property gifts, leasing, and other real property transactions.

• Draft agreements for land projects and review partner documentation.

• Advise on the stewardship, enforcement, and defense of conservation easements.

• Assist in preparing materials for AFT’s Land Projects Committee.

• Research issues related to real property law.

• Act as a trusted legal advisor to all departments.

• Conduct legal research and analysis as needed.

• Develop and deliver training for staff on legal compliance.

• Support special projects and initiatives that require legal input.

• Monitor developments in tax-exempt organization law, real estate law, and related fields.

• Perform additional assigned legal duties.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor's degree.

• Juris Doctor degree.

• Admission to the state bar.

• Over 3 years of legal experience or comparable general legal and contracting experience.

• Experience advising for-profit or nonprofit organizations on a diverse range of business matters.

• Experience providing counsel to nonprofit organizations on various business and compliance issues.

• Familiarity with OMB Uniform Guidance.

• Experience in real estate transactions and conservation easements is preferred.

• Knowledge of agricultural land protection and agricultural conservation easements is a plus.

• Familiarity with working alongside public agencies is advantageous.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to draft high-quality legal documents swiftly.

• Capability to respond promptly and helpfully to the needs of staff.

• Strong aptitude for independent work and exercising sound judgment to manage legal risks.

• Comfortable managing multiple projects in a decentralized environment across various jurisdictions.

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively as a team member.

• Ability to foresee potential problems and identify areas of concern in advance.

• Capacity to influence others' thinking or gain consensus in sensitive situations.

• Ability to operate effectively within a structured and collaborative organizational framework.

• Traits such as adaptability, sound judgment, accountability, professionalism, emotional intelligence, and a solutions-oriented mindset are essential.

• Ability to work within established leadership structures and enterprise-wide decision-making processes.

• Willingness to work occasional evenings or weekends as necessary.

• Resume, responses to screener questions, and a cover letter are mandatory.

• Admission to a state bar is essential.

🏝️ Benefits

• Medical & Prescription Coverage.

• Dental Coverage.

• Vision Coverage.

• Company Paid Life Insurance & Long-Term Disability (LTD).

• Voluntary Life Insurance.

• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for Healthcare & Dependent Care.

• Health Savings Account (HSA).

• 401k Plan.

• Sick Leave: Regular full-time employees accrue 13 “sick days” annually.

• Vacation Leave: Accrue 15 days in the first year, increasing by one day annually up to a maximum of 20 days.

• Twelve fixed holidays.

• A week off between Christmas and New Year’s.

• Up to three floating holidays.

• Opportunity for remote work.

• Diverse and inclusive work environment.

• Competitive compensation and benefits.

• A mission-driven team and purpose.

• Opportunities for professional development and training.