General Counsel

Description:

Job Details:
Works with departments and divisions across the Agency to provide advice on a wide range of legal matters including public and private contracts, school law, compliance, employment law, real estate, and regulatory issues as well as general corporate matters, utilizing outside counsel as needed. Supervises Legal and Compliance/Quality Assurance staff and manages outside counsel relationships. Collaborates with departments and divisions across the Agency to develop and execute risk management strategies for the organization. Works with the Executive Team to apply a legal lens to planning, decision-making, and resource allocation.

Essential Function:

• Provides strategic legal advice to management and general legal guidance to the Agency's departments and divisions while developing trusting relationships with senior staff, Board members and other key stakeholders.
• Ensures that the executive team is up-to-date on the status of legal proceedings and issues.
• Oversees all outside legal services for A Wide Range of Community-Based Programs That Benefit Youth, Families & Seniors in Houston, seeks out pro-bono services when appropriate and available, monitors the use of outside expertise, approves all legal invoices and works to mitigate the costs.
• Manages risk exposure to minimize impact, oversees and manages all litigation and administrative claims and participates in all litigation decisions.
• Negotiates with insurance entities regarding claims and coverage.
• Oversees Board governance matters, which include supporting board and committee meetings, overseeing compliance and training requirements, and preparing the board guidebook and board orientation.
• Provide thoughtful and sophisticated legal advice and counsel on complex and novel matters.
• Provides counsel on employment actions including hiring, promotion, compensation, reorganizations, and terminations.
• Prepare and present trainings to internal stakeholders on relevant legal and risk management issues.
• Serve as chief compliance and risk officer, advising on applicable laws and regulations, in areas such as exempt organizations, employment, fundraising, data security and privacy.
• Provides legal direction regarding transactional structuring, document preparation and negotiation/communication related to acquisitions, joint ventures, operating agreements, and divestitures.
• Participates in the definition and development of Agency policies, procedures and programs and provides continuing counsel and guidance on legal matters and on legal implications of all matters.
• Lead through collaboration, innovative management concepts, and initiatives to meet program goals and objectives in the most effective and efficient manner.
• Draft, edit and/or review legal documents, in addition to contracts, such as letters, policies, responses to subpoenas, releases, and research memoranda.
• Oversees legal and compliance staff.
• Manages dispute resolution proceedings between the business and third parties.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:
Education:
Required:
Masters or better in Law (MBA).
Required:
10+ years - In-house experience at a nonprofit, public, or private organization less than 1 year - Working or volunteering with social service nonprofit organizations 1-3 years - Track record in working with or serving on Boards of Directors

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