General Counsel

American Rivers is a national conservation organization working to make every river clean and healthy for people and wildlife. We combine evidence-based solutions with enduring partnerships to safeguard the 4.4 million miles of rivers and streams that are essential to our nation’s clean drinking water, extraordinary wildlife, and the strength of our communities. For more than 50 years, our staff, supporters, and partners have been driven by a common belief: Life Depends on Rivers.

JOB SUMMARY:

The General Counsel leads the organization’s legal function and heads up the legal team to provide legal services to American Rivers across a broad range of matters, including transactional and procurement agreements, employment law, nonprofit corporate governance and tax compliance, federal and state government funding compliance, intellectual property, lobbying disclosure compliance, corporate sponsorship, and charitable solicitation regulation. Serving as a member of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), the General Counsel directs and manages all aspects of legal services for a national nonprofit organization and affiliated organizations that include a 501 (c)(4) and connected PAC in a period of growth and evolving organizational needs.

The General Counsel also advises the People and Culture Department on employment-related policies, employee benefits, insurance, and personnel matters. In addition, the General Counsel serves as a legal advisor to and partner with the executive team, staffs the Board Litigation Committee, and serves as the Board Assistant Secretary. The position oversees a legal department of four and two to four summer law clerks and reports to the Senior Vice President for Business Strategy & Operations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• J.D. and at least 15 years of successful legal practice experience.
• Bar admission and good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• Prior experience as a senior attorney, preferably including General Counsel experience, with a broad legal portfolio and staff management responsibilities.
• Collaborative approach with the ability to work effectively with multiple internal departments, external parties, and members of the Board.
• Experience reviewing, drafting, and negotiating a variety of transactional agreements.
• Knowledge of labor and employment law.
• Knowledge of the OMB Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance.
• Knowledge of intellectual property and charitable solicitation laws.
• Experience overseeing key elements of organizational risk assessment and management.
• Experience with cost-effective management of outside legal resources.
• Working knowledge of federal tax and election laws as they apply to 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and Section 527 organizations in general and public-interest law firms in particular.
• Experience overseeing a corporate insurance program, or knowledge of insurance law.
• Ability to travel to board meetings and other convenings as required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge of non-profit corporate law, specifically in the conservation sector.
• Experience with large construction projects and related
• Experience working on matters of corporate
• Experience in analyzing and addressing legal ethics
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local lobbying
• Non-profit experience required, although it can be through pro bono
• Familiarity with or willingness to learn our suite of tools, including Slack, Zoom, Box, Monday.com, Intacct, and the
• Microsoft Suite or similar tools.
• Knowledge of or interest in environmental law and policy matters.

Salary Range: $142,000 – $214,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications

Tagged as: Law/Policy