The National Audubon Society is seeking an experienced and collaborative attorney to provide legal advice on matters related to policy advocacy at the federal, state and local level in a rapidly growing advocacy program executed in Washington, D.C. and in states around the country. This position requires knowledge and experience advising clients on legal issues related to policy advocacy including IRS, FEC and LDA compliance as well as IRS (c)(4) and Political Action Committee operations, compliance, and reporting.
Reporting to the General Counsel, the Associate General Counsel will be a critical leader on cross-departmental advocacy teams, helping to shape the organizations’ efforts to implement transformative policy solutions and mobilize bird lovers and others to turn policy ideas into real protections for birds and the places they need. They will join a service-oriented Office of General Counsel and arrive during an exciting time of organizational growth and innovation driven by organization leadership and advanced everyday by dedicated, highly collaborative team members and partners in New York, Washington, DC and across the country.
- Assistant Counsel is responsible for handling a wide variety of advocacy-related legal matters for all departments of the National Audubon Society, including advising headquarters and state staff on advocacy-related activities including lobbying, events, and fundraising; reviewing advocacy-related materials; meeting reporting requirements; training staff on compliance with lobbying and political activity requirements, and managing coordination with relevant outside counsel as necessary.
- Assistant Counsel will also draft legal policies, forms, agreements, board materials and other documents as necessary;
- Experience in lobbying, tax, governance, grants, development and staff training is required.
- Individual must be able to work well independently, develop their own client base, and handle administrative tasks associated with the position.
- Minimum 6 years’ experience in the relevant fields.
- Excels at advising a wide variety of clients and working collaboratively with others.
- Ability to work under pressure, prioritize and meet deadlines.
- High ethical standards and demonstrated work ethic.
- Excellent listening, oral and written skills.
- Excellent research and analytical skills.
- Excellent judgment.
- Experience developing new programs and process a plus.
- Sense of humor and perspective.
- Belief in the mission a plus.