Associate General Counsel, Corp. Governance

POSITION TITLE: Associate General Counsel, Corporate Governance

SUPERVISOR: General Counsel

LOCATION: Baltimore, MD or Washington, D.C. 

TRAVEL: Moderate

JOB CLASSIFICATION: Exempt

POSITION SUMMARY

The NAACP Empowerment Programs, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization for equal rights, seeks an experienced Associate General Counsel, Corporate Governance, to join the organization’s growing Legal Department. The NAACP EPI is the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights organization. It was established to combat racial violence, injustice, and discrimination against Black Americans, playing a key role in major legal battles and advocacy for social equality. NAACP EPI is an affiliated 501(c)(3) that is engaged in training, education, and advocacy. Most of our research, publications, and advocacy work is 501(c)(3) compliant. The Associate General Counsel, Corporate Governance will also serve NAACP EPI.

The Office of General Counsel ("OGC") leads the NAACP's efforts to advance and protect civil rights through litigation in federal, state, and local courts and ensures the organization's compliance with all legal, regulatory, and professional obligations. The Associate General Counsel, Corporate Governance will provide key support in the areas of business transactions, contracts, non-profit governance, corporate and regulatory compliance, and other matters that are unique to large-scale, tax-exempt organizations. The Associate General Counsel, Corporate Governance will provide expert legal advice on issues involving non-profit management and operations, including risk management, and will support OGC on other legal matters affecting the National Office, NAACP Units, and affiliates (including contracts/negotiations, labor and employment matters, and litigation management). 

The Associate General Counsel, Corporate Governance role presents an excellent opportunity for a mid-level attorney who enjoys governance work, institutional complexity, and meaningful mission-driven impact to join a growing legal team. The ideal candidate is one who is looking to deepen experience within a fast-paced, mission-driven non-profit organization, while independently managing a broad set of day-to-day responsibilities. 

RESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES

Under the direction of the General Counsel, the Associate General Counsel, Corporate Governance, will perform the following duties, to include, but not limited to:  

• Nonprofit Governance and Corporate Matters

• • Support governance for the NAACP and other affiliated entities.
  • Draft, review, and negotiate contracts and other agreements for the National Office, NAACP units, and affiliates (e.g., NDAs, MOUs, vendor and professional services agreements, licensing agreements, leases, and more). 
  • Draft and review board and committee resolutions; advise on NAACP bylaws provisions and constitution provisions.

• Regulatory & Compliance 

• • Support management for a large tax-exempt organization and its affiliates, including annual filings, yearly audit, and compliance obligations. 
  • Assist with non-profit regulatory filings and reporting, and other regulatory and compliance obligations mandated by federal and state regulations applicable to nonprofit organizations. 
    

• General/Operational 

  • Provide legal support on internal initiatives involving organizational structure and organizational change management. 
  • Provide legal support in areas of risk management, including defense litigation tracking/reporting, employment issues, and non-profit 501(c)(3)/501(c)(4) compliance. 
  • Provide legal support for insurance, intellectual property, real estate matters, charitable giving, and donations.
  • Investigate internal matters, participate in internal administrative proceedings, and perform other related duties.
  • Prepare and present webinars, training, and workshops on best practices.
  • Conduct legal research and analysis to assist OGC in providing counsel with respect to legal and regulatory matters affecting the National Office and NAACP units, including but not limited to, business transactions, contracts, tax issues, charitable giving, non-profit corporate governance, real property, and tort law.
  
  QUALIFICATIONS
  

  Education/Experience

  • Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.

  • Admission and good standing to D.C. or Maryland bar, or eligible for in-house counsel registration. 
  • No less than 7 years of corporate transactional experience, preferably working either in-house at a corporation or large nonprofit organization or with a law firm’s tax-exempt organization’s practice group.
  • Skills, Licenses, and/or Competencies
  • Must be able to work independently and manage multiple internal clients/stakeholders simultaneously. 
  • Must be comfortable managing and prioritizing deadlines. 
  • Extensive experience in reviewing and negotiating contracts.
  • Outstanding legal writing and communication skills. 
  • Experience advising on nonprofit law and relevant regulations. 
  • Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to manage relationships within the organization and with outside parties.
  • Commitment to the NAACP’s mission to achieve equity, political rights, and social inclusion by advancing policies and practices that expand human and civil rights, eliminate discrimination, and accelerate the well-being, education, and economic security of Black people and all persons of color.