Interim General Counsel (Maternity Coverage)

at  The Humane League

WHO WE ARE

The Humane League (THL) is a global nonprofit ending the abuse of animals raised for food. THL fosters a high-energy culture of teamwork and mission-driven problem solving, and we have earned recognition as Top Charity from Animal Charity Evaluators for all of their rating periods. Over the past few years, we’ve grown to a staff of 100+ talented individuals dispersed across the country and around the world. At THL, how animals are treated in the food system is at the forefront of our everyday work. As such, many of our staff are vegan by personal choice, and all of our THL-hosted events offer fully vegan menus. We welcome all mission-aligned candidates to apply, no matter where you are in your journey to end the abuse of animals raised for food.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Extensive generalist legal experience, including 10 years of prior experience in a nonprofit, government agency, or private sector. In-house counsel experience would be helpful. JD degree and status as a member of good standing of the bar in any state or the District of Columbia.
• Experience working with a global organization and familiarity with working cross-culturally and with those of diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
• A desire to advise and support The Humane League’s contentious and relentless corporate campaign work. Willingness to assess and recommend an appropriate amount of risk in programmatic work in accordance with our goals and the urgency of our mission.
• Interest in leading both litigation and administrative aspects of the legal function.
• Able to critically evaluate a wide range of issues and provide sound legal advice. Able to develop familiarity with legal systems in and outside of the U.S. and to adapt policies and procedures in compliance with local law. Able to quickly take complex concepts and make difficult judgements in the best interests of the organization.
• Able to convey information clearly, accurately, and appropriately to different audiences including staff, senior leadership, and the public across various cultural and linguistic backgrounds, through verbal, written and nonverbal modes to ensure the intended message is understood. Able to communicate legal findings and decisions briefly, simply, and persuasively.
• Must be able to anticipate, diffuse and resolve disagreements, confrontations, tensions and complaints in a practical and constructive manner in order to achieve results.
• Demonstrated ability to foster high performance, build solid teams, and develop and motivate staff with transparency and collaboration. Delegates skillfully. Inspires and motivates others to take action and meet goals, and holds the team accountable.
• Effectively manages a high volume of work through various methods of organization, project and task management, and prioritization as needs evolve.
• Ability to think strategically and anticipate potential problems, challenge conventional thinking. Ability to pivot when a course of action isn’t providing the intended results, flexible when it comes to reassessing own ideas and assumptions as new information comes to light and identify patterns to make meaning out of overarching trends. An ability to see information through the lens of the past, present, and future to address both short-term and long-term goals.

Once your application has been reviewed, you will be notified via email with further details on the status of your application. If a candidate is moved forward, the interview process will be as follows:

• Work Simulation Exercise (completed remotely)
• First Interview (via video call)
• Final Interview (via video call)
• Reference Check

Each stage is expected to last a week or two on average. For full details of our recruitment process please review this document.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

• Serve as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, providing visionary thought leadership and strategic guidance organization wide
• Set long-term strategic vision and priorities for the Legal team
• Nonprofit compliance, including corporate governance, finance and tax, charitable solicitation, commercial co-ventures, international grantmaking, and lobbying
• Direct THL’s international legal portfolio, including international liability and international labor and employment
• Manage, develop, and mentor a small legal team. Provide vision and role clarity, guidance, coaching, training, and accountability. Manage the department’s budget and spending.
• Support and advise the Board of Directors, including drafting and revising corporate policies, bylaws, minutes, agendas, and resolutions
• Advise the People team on federal, multistate, and international employment law, including employee handbook and policies, contingent workforce compliance, employee training, and investigations
• Advise management and staff on legal issues related to programmatic initiatives
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide variety of contracts for all aspects of the organization
• Data privacy and security issues, training, and compliance. Will be exposed to concepts of US data privacy and GDPR.
• Support the development of training materials, guidance documents, and relevant staff and volunteer training
• Manage the organization’s insurance portfolio and intellectual property portfolio
• Establish and manage relationships with pro bono attorneys and outside counsel.
• Other duties as assigned or necessary