The Senior Attorney provides legal services on complex matters to advance Conservancy priorities and appropriately manage risk, with a focus on China and the Conservancy’s Asia-Pacific Region.
The Senior Attorney provides legal services for assigned programs within China and the Conservancy’s Asia-Pacific Region. Ensures that transactions and activities are legally sound and consistent with the Conservancy’s mission, authority, policies, and procedures. Clearly articulates complex legal concepts and options to assigned programs. Reviews organizational documents, and prepares, reviews and negotiates contracts. Structures and negotiates complex agreements involving multiple parties. Works with program staff to ensure that operations and implementation of programs and projects are within the parameters of the Conservancy’s policies and procedures and the laws of the appropriate jurisdictions.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Assists in structuring activities, projects and transactions to most effectively achieve Conservancy goals.
- Prepares, examines and negotiates contracts, which may involve government grants, leases, licenses, purchase and sales agreements, real estate agreements, joint ventures and acquisitions, marketing and consulting agreements, and other commercial contracts.
- Influences decision-makers in assigned programs through strong communication skills.
- Manages outside counsel effectively.
- May supervise and/or provide guidance to less experienced attorneys and/or paralegals and other support staff.
- Performs and manages special projects as requested by department management.
- Serves as the primary legal contact for various clients.
- Travel occasionally; work long or flexible hours as needed.
- License to practice law in at least one jurisdiction.
- 5 years relevant legal experience or at least 3 years relevant legal experience coupled with assumption of significant responsibilities for a geographic area or subject matter expertise.
- Experience negotiating and/or advising on complex transactions and agreements.
- Experience in general corporate law in the U.S. (or another common law jurisdiction) and in the Asia-Pacific.
- Verbal and written fluency in English and Mandarin Chinese.
- Experience working with multiple cultures.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- People’s Republic of China (PRC) Bar qualification.
- In-house experience and/or law firm experience advising sophisticated clients and senior management.
- Familiarity with general corporate law in China.
- Experience with complex transactions, including joint ventures, acquisitions and entity formation.
- Experience in establishing related entities.
- Experience in interpreting regulations and statutes.
- Experience with general tax and charity laws and relevant regulations.
- Experience working with international and cross-functional teams.
- Ability to balance numerous matters while prioritizing on a day-to-day basis.
- Experience developing, directing and managing multiple projects and implementing strategic program goals.
- Experience supervising staff such as paralegals and administrative staff.
- Legal research experience.
- Working knowledge of current trends in relevant discipline.
The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, 401k or savings-plan matching for eligible employees, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond.