We are seeking a strategic, dedicated, and socially conscious In-House Nonprofit Legal Counsel to serve as the primary legal advisor for our organization. In this role, you will be the cornerstone of our risk management, compliance, and governance efforts, ensuring that our mission-driven work is built on a solid, legally sound foundation. If you possess deep expertise in non-profit law, a passion for social impact, and the ability to provide clear, actionable counsel on complex issues ranging from tax-exempt status to employment law, this is a pivotal leadership role that will safeguard our integrity and enable our long-term growth.

Key Responsibilities
Organizational Governance: Provide expert guidance to the Board of Directors and executive leadership on bylaws, board structure, conflict-of-interest policies, and fiduciary responsibilities.

Tax & Compliance: Ensure ongoing compliance with IRS requirements for 501(c)(3) organizations, including private benefit prohibitions, lobbying limitations, and annual filing accuracy.

Contractual Stewardship: Draft, review, and negotiate a wide array of contracts, including vendor agreements, partnership MOUs, grant agreements, and professional service contracts.

Employment & HR Law: Advise on sensitive personnel matters, including hiring/firing protocols, wage-and-hour compliance, anti-discrimination policies, and volunteer management standards.

Risk Management: Proactively identify potential legal risks across all program areas and develop robust policies and training to mitigate those risks.

Intellectual Property & Data Privacy: Oversee the protection of organizational assets, including trademarks and branding, and ensure strict compliance with data privacy regulations regarding donor and client information.

Strategic Advocacy: Support organizational objectives by providing legal perspectives on public policy efforts, community partnerships, and strategic planning initiatives.

Requirements & Qualifications
Education: Juris Doctor (JD) degree; active bar membership in good standing in the relevant jurisdiction is strictly required.

Experience: 5+ years of legal practice, with significant experience in non-profit law, corporate governance, or tax-exempt organization counseling.

Technical Skills:

Deep knowledge of non-profit legal frameworks (e.g., state incorporation laws, IRS tax-exempt requirements).

Proficiency in contract drafting, complex negotiation, and regulatory research.

Strong aptitude for synthesizing legal complexity into clear, actionable advice for non-lawyer leadership.

Personal Attributes:

Strategic Vision: Ability to balance legal constraints with the practical, often resource-limited realities of non-profit operations.

Uncompromising Integrity: Commitment to the highest ethical standards, transparency, and the mission of the organization.

Collaborative Advisor: Exceptional ability to build rapport and influence leadership, serving as a partner rather than just a compliance gatekeeper.

Resilience & Agility: Capacity to handle high-stakes issues and rapidly shifting organizational needs with professional calm.

Tags: In-House Counsel, Non-profit Law, Governance, Compliance, Risk Management, Tax-Exempt Status

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