Legal Counsel

Job Type

Full-time

Description

Arnold Ventures is a philanthropy whose core objective is to maximize opportunity and minimize injustice. We are dedicated to tackling some of the most pressing problems in the United States. We invest in sustainable change, building it from the ground up based on research, deep thinking, and a strong foundation of evidence. We drive public conversation, craft policy, and inspire action through education and advocacy.

Position Overview

Arnold Ventures is seeking two (2) attorneys to join its Legal team. Reporting to the Assistant General Counsel, each Legal Counsel will serve as the primary legal contact for specified programmatic or operational teams, acting as a thought partner and strategic business advisor on project proposals and organizational activities. The Legal Counsel will also play an important role in formulating and executing upon broader legal team initiatives and special projects. A successful candidate will possess an ability to take initiative, independently assess priorities, and manage multiple assignments. The position will be based in any of Arnold Ventures’ offices (Houston, Washington, DC or New York City).

The Legal team helps Arnold Ventures advance its objectives by providing solutions-oriented, high-quality legal advice and counsel. Our team of professionals provides legal advice and services to Arnold Ventures’ board, leadership, and programmatic and operational teams. Our work touches upon a wide range of substantive legal areas, including tax, corporate governance, labor and employment, lobbying disclosure requirements, campaign finance, and general contract law. On any given day, the legal team might support complex grant-making activity, structure consulting and vendor arrangements, advise on advocacy initiatives, negotiate operations contracts, and support any other number of business activities.

Core Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary Legal team contact for specified programmatic or operational teams. One or more of the new Legal Counsel will assist with providing legal counsel and guidance on matters related to Arnold Ventures’ policy and advocacy activities, including legal issues related to lobbying, political law, gift and ethics, and campaign finance rules
• Stay up–to-date and advise specified programmatic teams on laws applicable to private foundations, public charities, donor advised funds, and social welfare organizations, including IRS lobbying, state and local lobbying laws, ballot initiative regulations, and self-dealing
• Evaluate grant, consulting, and event proposals for legal compliance and provide strategic feedback to specified programmatic teams in preparation for submitting proposals to Arnold Ventures’ Board of Directors for funding consideration
• Provide legal and business solutions that balance prudent and succinct legal advice with effective risk assessment and that are responsive to internal and external needs in a complex and high-profile organization
• Review, draft, and negotiate a broad range of grant agreements, consulting agreements, vendor agreements, and MOUs
• Collaborate with Arnold Ventures’ Grants, Finance, and Accounting teams to continually support and improve Arnold Ventures’ grant-making and legal processes
• Assist in developing and presenting trainings on legal issues in collaboration with Arnold Ventures’ Assistant General Counsel
• Assist Legal team with the development and maintenance of document and knowledge management procedures
• Occasional travel expected
  
  

The salary range for this position will be $150,000-$180,000.

Benefits Overview

Arnold Ventures is committed to providing a robust and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our current benefits package includes 100% paid employee premiums for medical, dental, vision, basic life, and short- and long-term disability insurance; 20 days of paid time off, 16 paid holidays (including a winter break from December 24 to January 1), and a 9/80 schedule from Memorial Day to Labor Day; paid parental leave; a 401k retirement savings plan with an employer match, profit-share contribution, and immediate vesting; pre-tax transit benefits; a professional development stipend; a charitable giving stipend; and an employee assistance program.

We ask that you include a cover letter in addition to your resume when applying. The cover letter should be no more than one page and focus on the following: 1) legal experience, including experience with tax-exempt org law and/or political law 2) key examples that highlight your skills/abilities for the role, and 3) what makes this role the right next step in your professional career. Cover letters will be used to assess communications and writing skills.

Our Culture and Core Values

Our culture seeks to inspire and empower our people to innovate and develop bold ideas that will help Arnold Ventures achieve lasting impact. Our culture, and the core values that support it, should create an environment that spurs our team to think outside the box, feel comfortable pushing the boundaries of what is possible, and signal confidence in our team’s ability to make change happen through our philanthropic efforts.

Arnold Ventures’ values are integral to our lived experience. They genuinely reflect who we are as an organization, help us accelerate our strategic goals, strengthen our resolve, anchor us to our mission, and guide our decision-making. The successful candidate will also demonstrate the following core values that inspire the Arnold Ventures team to make a difference.

• Respect for Ourselves & Others
• Audacious Action
• Collaborative Engagement
• Depth of Thought
• Clear Communication
  
  

Arnold Ventures is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, military/veteran status, or any basis prohibited by applicable law.

Acknowledging the importance of diverse perspectives, Arnold Ventures is committed to employing individuals from a variety of backgrounds and with a variety of experiences. Members of historically marginalized communities and candidates who have been impacted by the systems we are seeking to change are strongly encouraged to apply.

Requirements

• J.D. with 4-6 years of relevant legal experience
• Tax-exempt and/or political law experience
• Ability to translate complex legal concepts for nonlawyer audiences
• Ability to provide sound legal judgment and demonstrate business acumen and integrity
• Experience advising nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations broadly and/or experience advising organizations on federal, state, and local lobbying laws, ballot initiative and campaign finance rules, and gift and ethics rules
• Incredible attention to detail
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills
• Highest level of professionalism and discretion
• Comfortable using independent judgment, making decisions when empowered, and working in an evolving environment
• Highly self-motivated and interested in new challenges
• Ability to work well under pressure and to manage multiple conflicting priorities in a busy environment
  
  

Salary Description

$150,000-$180,000