Overview
POSITION TITLE: General Counsel
REPORTS TO: Chief Legal Officer
SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Small Legal team
LOCATION: New York, NY
GRADE/CLASS: Grade K, Exempt, Non-Union
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:
ADL is the leading anti-hate organization in the world. Founded in 1913, its timeless mission is “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.” Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of antisemitism and bias, using innovation and partnerships to drive impact. A global leader in combating antisemitism, countering extremism and battling bigotry wherever and whenever it happens, ADL works to protect democracy and ensure a just and inclusive society for all.
PRIMARY FUNCTION:
The General Counsel serves as ADL’s primary legal advisor and provides legal counsel on strategic and programmatic initiatives to make informed business decisions that align with local and federal laws. In addition to being a key negotiator in strategic transactions and representing the organization when interacting with the board and other external partners, the General Counsel oversees and leads the Legal Department.
Responsibilities
Primary:
- Manage day-to-day operations of the legal department reporting to CLO as needed.
- Direct nonprofit compliance, including corporate governance, finance and tax, restricted grants, charitable solicitation, commercial co-ventures, international grantmaking, and lobbying.
- Serve on the organization’s Senior Team, shaping the direction of the organization and weighing in on critical programmatic, strategic, and operational judgments.
- Manage, develop, and mentor a small legal team. Provide vision and role clarity, guidance, coaching, training, and accountability. Manage the department’s budget and spending.
- Advise HR on federal, multistate, and international employment law, including review and revision of employee handbook and policies, and employee training.
- Advise management and staff on legal issues related to programmatic initiatives, including intellectual property, defamation, First Amendment, lobbying, and volunteers and interns.
- Lead pre-publication review process.
- Draft, review, and negotiate a wide variety of contracts for all aspects of the organization.
- Manage intellectual property portfolio.
- Oversee data privacy and security issues, training, and compliance.
- International expansion, including entity formation, operations, and international labor and employment.
- Support the development of training materials, guidance documents, and relevant staff and volunteer training.
- Establish and manage relationships with pro bono attorneys and outside counsel.
Qualifications
Skills:
- Excellent oral and written legal communications skills; ability to represent complex and diverse issues in an articulate and compelling manner.
- Ability to absorb and learn new information quickly (e.g., ADL policies and positions).
- Proven diplomatic and conflict resolution skills.
- Ability to multi-task, handle a heavy workload and respond effectively to rapidly changing priorities.
Attributes:
- Intellectual curiosity.
- A high level of self-confidence complimented by humility.
- Prefer a person who truly enjoys engaging with others - “a people person.”
- A commitment to ADL’s mission and work.
Work Experience:
- The ideal candidate has experience leading and managing a legal team either as a partner in a law firm or as a General Counsel or Deputy General Counsel.
Education:
- Juris Doctorate. Undergraduate degree may be in any field.
- Prefer evidence of continued education, such as an earned certification.
Other:
- Admission to the bar in NY or eligibility to be registered as an in-house counsel under NY law.
Work Environment:
- ADL is a hybrid environment; this role will require 3 days in the office.
- Flexibility to work evenings and weekends when necessary.
Compensation:
- This position has a salary range of $210,000 to $250,000. This salary range is reflective of a position based in New York, NY. Please note that actual salaries are commensurate with experience and reflect the budget for a given position, and since ADL has a location-based compensation structure, there may be a different range for candidates in other locations.
ADL values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of underrepresented ethnic groups, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply. ADL is an equal opportunity employer. Recruitment, hiring, promotions and other terms, conditions and privileges of employment shall be maintained in a manner which does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, marital status, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or military status, or in violation of any applicable Federal, state, or local laws.
ADL will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation to support the interview process, please contact Talent & Knowledge at talentacquisition@adl.org.
ADL will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and all other applicable State, Local, and Federal laws.
The information in this job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, or be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job, nor is it to be interpreted as a contract for employment.
