General Counsel

District of Columbia Bar•Washington, DC

15h•Hybrid

About The Position

The General Counsel serves as the chief legal officer for the District of Columbia Bar (D.C. Bar or Bar) and provides legal support to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), D.C. Bar Board of Governors, D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center (Pro Bono Center) Board of Directors and staff of the D.C. Bar and Pro Bono Center. The General Counsel reports to the CEO and represents the Bar in all legal matters, acting as policy and risk advisor on operations and major initiatives. The General Counsel is responsible for overseeing, planning, and directing the legal activities of the Bar and provides legal advice, counsel, and representation as necessary.

Requirements

JD from an ABA accredited law school.
An active member of the D.C. Bar or eligible to become an active D.C. Bar member within two months of being hired.
Successful, relevant, and practical legal experience.
Experience as in-house counsel with complex business, government, quasi-government, or nonprofit institutions, including 501(c)(3) organizations.
Substantive experience providing guidance to a diverse group of senior executives and the ability to work across organizational lines.
Experience working with and advising organization boards.
Experience drafting and reviewing contracts and agreements of all types.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Experience in applying and interpreting local and federal statutes, court rules, and ethics opinions.
Knowledge of legal issues affecting tax-exempt associations.
Experience budgeting and managing financial resources.
Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills.
Must be detail oriented, deadline driven, and able to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills. Must work well in a team environment and be able to interact with Bar members, volunteers, judges, vendors, the public, and Bar employees.
Must work well under pressure, possess excellent organizational abilities, and be able to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
Must be adaptable, creative, and self-motivated.
Ability to handle and maintain the confidentiality of highly sensitive information.

Nice To Haves

Experience with business law including real estate leases, tax, and intellectual property.

Responsibilities

Represents the Bar and provides legal and risk management advice and services to the CEO, Executive Leadership team, Board of Governors, Pro Bono Center Board of Directors, and employees of the Bar and Pro Bono Center to enable them to fulfill their mission.
Advises the Board of Governors and Board of Directors on matters of compliance, litigation, and risk management; assists the CEO and President of the Board in developing meeting agendas and materials; and responds to member inquiries.
Upon request, advises and represents the District of Columbia Board on Professional Responsibility and Office of Disciplinary Counsel.
Renders timely legal analysis, advice, and services with respect to questions, transactions, regulations, policies, procedures, and legal issues that fall within the scope of the Bar’s programs and operations.
Serves as a member of the Executive Team, providing guidance on short- and long-term operational decisions.
Prepares and reviews vendor contracts, memoranda of understanding, licenses, leases, and other agreements.
Proactively identifies and mitigates legal risk to protect the Bar from undue exposure, liability, and financial loss and to protect the Bar’s reputation, name, intellectual property, human and financial resources, programs, and services.
Represents the D.C. Bar, its employees and volunteers in litigation matters involving Bar activities and manages legal services provided by outside counsel.
Assists Human Resources on compliance and employment-related legal matters and stays current on local and national employment laws.
Develops and maintains a network of general counsel and bar leaders from mandatory and voluntary bars and advises on statutory and constitutional limitations to mandatory bars.
Advises the CEO and Membership Services Department on issues relating to D.C. Bar member status.
Provides day-to-day leadership, performance management, coaching, and mentoring to direct reports.
Recruits and retains a diverse workforce and works to create an inclusive environment.
Performs other duties as assigned.