| Job Description: |
Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We take on the biggest, most precedent-setting cases across the country. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health; to preserve magnificent places and wildlife; to advance clean energy; and to combat climate change. We partner with thousands of groups, supporters, individuals and communities to engage the critical environmental issues of our time, and bring about positive change. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.
Founded in 1971, Earthjustice has a distinguished track record of achieving significant, lasting environmental protections. We achieve this by hiring people who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment. Our headquarters are in San Francisco with offices in Anchorage, Juneau, Los Angeles, Tallahassee, Miami, Honolulu, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, Denver, Seattle, Bozeman, and Washington, DC.
The Senior Counsel will be focused mainly implementing a contract management system, drafting contracts, conforming contracts to Earthjustice standards and helping to negotiate contract terms with vendors. The Senior Counsel will also provide general support to the General Counsel’s office, potentially on a variety of subjects related to compliance and meeting law firm best management practices.
Responsibilities:
Contract Management System set up (20%):
Implement contract management platform
Customize the platform, as necessary
Oversee collection of currently existing contracts, identifying key contract provisions for calendaring, loading the contracts into the new platform and calendaring critical dates
Contracts (60%):
Develop training module and train staff on contract processing steps and key provision review
Coordinate with IT on vetting all IT product or service providers on data security issues
Coordinate with IT on management of personal information
Review or draft service and product purchase contracts on an as-needed basis
Review and revise proposed leases and construction (build out) contracts
Update contract templates as needed
Put in place or upgrade controls to ensure good contracting practices
Maintain contract management system, assess performance and make any necessary changes
As needed, select and supervise outside counsel; occasionally function as the client representative of Earthjustice
Compliance (20%):
Time permitting, the Senior Counsel may be asked to support General Counsel’s office staff work of managing risk and assuring compliance/best practice implementation at the firm. Those activities may include:
Lobbying registration and reporting
Review insurance policies, benchmark, evaluate organizational risks/needs, prepare GC for annual insurance renewal
Partner with Senior Operations Manager to complete, monitor compliance and conduct ongoing research/necessary revisions to physical security project and disaster preparation plans
Do compliance calendaring; assist with designing any necessary calendaring solution
Provide support for corporate governance projects
Provide support to GC’s office on ethics compliance issues
Lead the project team for a document retention and revision/compliance project. Provide compliance guidance to leadership on corporate governance, financial structures, investments and other significant organizational issues as needed
Conduct legal research on a variety of subjects, interpret laws, rulings and regulations and determine how they apply to Earthjustice
Research, present options, gain consensus, select and retain firm to monitor trademark use
Perform other duties as assigned
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| Job Requirements: |
Qualifications:
J. D. with strong academic record
California state Bar admission and good standing
Minimum of 3 years of successful experience practicing law
Experience drafting and negotiating contracts with an eye to data security
Experience leading projects in a law firm or legal department context
High degree of emotional intelligence
Demonstrated awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds and orientations
Contributes to the creation of a diverse, equitable and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences.
Demonstrated legal expertise
Ability to quickly grasp, research and assess a broad range of complex problems and present sensible solutions and alternatives
Ability to summarize information and succinctly and clearly communicate analyses verbally and in writing to a range of internal clients
Willingness to “roll up sleeves” and work with minimal support
Strong attention to detail and care in executing written work
Demonstrated integrity, strong work ethic, and sound judgment
Outstanding communication skills, including the ability to translate complex legal concepts into layman’s terms and provide informative instruction to groups of staff
Facility with developing collaborative relationships and managing and working with teams
Strong ability to juggle multiple projects, prioritize, meet deadlines and see tasks through to completion.
Ability to leverage technology, particularly database or web-based information platforms
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications
Support for Earthjustice’s mission and advocacy-based approach to solving environmental problems
Preferred:
Experience selecting and implementing technology used in law firms
Knowledge of non-profit corporate law in the state of California
Experience working on matters of corporate governance
Experience contributing to training and organizational learning
Experience with real estate law
Non-profit experience although it can be through pro bono service |
