Assistant General Counsel

The Public Interest Network operates more than 15 organizations committed to a shared vision of a better world, a set of core values, and a strategic approach to change. These groups include U.S. PIRG, Environment America and National Environmental Law Center, and encompass 200-plus staff.

We take a principled, but pragmatic approach to creating change. We build organizations and run campaigns that connect big ideas to concrete policy changes that improve the quality of our environment and our lives. We’re transpartisan—we reach out to everybody who might agree with us and consider joining us, including liberals, conservatives and everyone in between. We value dialogue over polarization. We invest in people and strategies that deliver results, including advocacy, lobbying, campaigning, litigation, policy research and grassroots organizing.

We also work closely with the Fund for the Public Interest, which conducts fundraising, membership-building, and other organization-building efforts on behalf of organizations both inside and outside the network.  

Job Description

We are seeking an Assistant General Counsel who is passionate about the issues we are working on and committed to helping organizations achieve real change.  

The Assistant General Counsel will focus on a subset of the overall responsibilities of the Public Interest Network’s Legal Department. This position requires exercising discretion and independent judgment in making decisions in matters of significance. Representative responsibilities may include:

• Corporate and Tax Compliance: Fostering sound corporate governance practices, maintaining the organizations’ good standing with federal and state corporate and tax regulators.
• Election Law & Campaign Finance: Advising groups on options & structures for election-related work, including advising on non-partisan voter registration drives, neighborhood voter contact programs, tracking & reporting to FEC & state agencies, and guidelines for fundraising & communications.
• First Amendment & Charitable Solicitation: Representing the organizations’ right to conduct door-to-door and street canvassing.
• Contracts: Drafting and reviewing contracts, leases and grant agreements.
• Risk Management: Working with the organizations’ leaders to adopt policies that protect the organizations from legal exposure.
• Employment Practices: Advising on employment matters and benefits systems. 

Qualifications

A J.D. and state bar membership in good standing is required. The ideal candidate will have excellent academic credentials, ideally one to five years of legal experience working in one or more of the practice areas described above, and a strong desire and commitment to nonprofit and political work. 

Successful candidates will also bring the following skills and attributes to the position:

• Excellent verbal & written communication, research and negotiation skills;
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously in diverse legal subject areas;
• A team orientation that combines strong leadership, congeniality and creativity to drive and motivate others;
• An outstanding work ethic and the ability to drive organizational change;
• Enthusiasm for the mission of The Public Interest Network and its member organizations to effect grassroots social change, and a goal-oriented, activist orientation;
• Comfort working with both the most senior staff (CEO, Executive Directors, other senior management staff) on major organizational strategies, and with training brand new staff on basic relevant legal principles in an understandable way; and
• Prior experience working with or advising nonprofit organizations. Firsthand experience doing organizing, issue advocacy, or political work is a plus. 

Salary & Benefits

The starting compensation range is $50,000-$75,000 and depends on relevant experience, education and location. Candidates on the low end of directly relevant experience should expect to be on the lower end of this range; candidates on the higher end of relevant experience are likely to be on the higher end of this range. The Public Interest Network offers an excellent benefits package. Our benefits package may include medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents, needs-based student loan assistance, 401(k) plan with employer match, commuter benefit program, paid time off, parental leave and long-term disability insurance. We also offer an excellent training program and opportunities for advancement. 

Why work with The Public Interest Network? Here are ten reasons: https://publicinterestnetwork.org/why-work-with-us/

The Public Interest Network operates and supports organizations committed to a shared vision of a better world and a strategic approach to social change. Visit https://publicinterestnetwork.org/core-values to learn more.

Fund for the Public Interest is an equal opportunity employer.

COVID-19: We take COVID-19 safety very seriously. Employees must follow our COVID safety protocols and be fully vaccinated and boostered. Accommodations are provided to the extent required by law.