Legal Counsel

Role Overview

• Committing to American Rivers core values.
• Delivering accurate, timely legal counsel to executives and management on a broad range of topics — including contracts, employment, partnerships, corporate finance, and compliance — with particular emphasis on the legal intricacies that involve or impact the 501(c)(3) and 501 (c)(4) tax-exempt organizations and any additional affiliates by ensuring strict adherence to permissible collaborations, financial separations, and reporting obligations unique to each entity type
• Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a variety of legal documents, including inter-organizational agreements, memoranda of understanding, and shared service contracts, to ensure full regulatory compliance
• Leading legal review on all joint projects, advocacy campaigns, fundraising efforts, and resource-sharing arrangements to ensure that program expenses, staff roles, and communications are properly allocated and documented to prevent impermissible subsidization or commingling of activities between affiliates
• Developing and implementing internal governance policies, and regularly monitoring compliance with these policies and applicable laws
• Conducting research and evaluating legal risks related to organizational decisions and operations, and offering proactive solutions and pathways to minimize exposure in areas such as corporate, political, and employment matters
• Monitoring and facilitating mission-related litigation, working with conservation staff, the board committee, declarants, and outside counsel
• Supporting the General Counsel in guiding the organization through third-party disputes and internal litigation, as necessary
• Executing ongoing management of transactional risk, vendor performance, project-life bonding and insurance
• Assisting with the preparation, review, and management of programmatic project documents, including contracts, RFPs (Requests for Proposals), and bid evaluations, to ensure compliance with organizational standards, governmental compliance, and project goals.
• Keeping abreast of changes in local, state, and federal laws and regulations, and integrating relevant updates into the organization’s operations
• Advising the board and staff on conflict-of-interest policies, ensuring transparency through proper disclosure, recusal procedures, and alignment with the organization's fiduciary responsibilities
• Supporting the protection of intellectual property, including trademarks and copyrights
• Providing legal guidance and training to ensure organizational compliance with data privacy laws and regulations.
• Developing and maintaining privacy policies, managing privacy risks, and leading incident response efforts
• Coordinating and managing relationships with external counsel and regulatory authorities, as needed
• Assisting with General Counsel with preparations for board and committee meetings for all organizations
• Assisting in training and mentoring Legal Interns
• Completing additional duties as assigned by the General Counsel

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) licensed to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction
• 5+ years of experience as a practicing attorney, preferably with a law firm, the government, or with the nonprofit or public sector with respect to organizations described in Sections 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and 527 of the Internal Revenue Code
• Proven impact working with a 501(c)(3) and 501 (c)(4) tax-exempt organization is essential
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to explain complex legal concepts to non-lawyers
• High ethical standards, sound judgment, and strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with management and other departments
• Ability to troubleshoot and solve problems independently and able to manage multiple projects and priorities
• Experience working with or supporting a General Counsel’s office or legal department is highly valued
• Knowledge of federal regulatory compliance (OMB Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance and Federal Election Commission regulations) and/or construction law is preferred
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools and Slack.
• Knowledge of Intacct and project management software is a plus.

Benefits

• Health and Wellness: Medical, dental, vision, long-term and short-term disability, and life insurance.
• Financial Security: After one year of service, American Rivers begins contributing a 3% employer contribution. There is no vesting schedule for employer contributions, as employees are 100% vested upon participation.
• Time Off: Four weeks of paid leave, eleven paid holidays, three floating holidays, and sick leave.