General Counsel

LLNL•Livermore, CA

23h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) is a premier U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) national security Laboratory, with an annual budget more than $3 billion. LLNL is managed by Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC (LLNS). The Laboratory's mission is to enable U.S. security and global stability and resilience by empowering multidisciplinary teams to pursue bold and innovative science and technology. LLNL is seeking a General Counsel to serve as the senior legal advisor for the Laboratory. As the General Counsel you will be a trusted advisor to the Laboratory’s senior leadership team, provide legal advice and counsel on all matters affecting the Laboratory, lead and manage the Office of General Counsel, oversee external legal resources. This includes leading, mentoring, and developing a high-performing legal, compliance, and IP team of about twenty professionals. You will also provide legal advice and perspective to the LLNS Board of Governors. The General Counsel reports to the Laboratory’s Principal Deputy Director of LLNS. Depending on your assignment, this position may offer a hybrid schedule, blending in-person and virtual presence. You may have the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week. You will Serve as a strategic leader who can architect transformational organizational change that aligns with LLNL’s mission and leadership priorities. Provide proactive risk assessment that leans into operational needs and mission priorities of LLNL and DOE/NNSA. Be a catalyst for change with an ability to effectively collaborate with and influence senior management and leadership at all levels of the organization. Advise LLNS management and provide practical, strategic, and solution-oriented advice on a broad range of legal matters. Partner with the senior management team to establish strategic priorities, implement policies, and provide oversight and management for the Laboratory. Provide legal support to the LLNS Board of Governors as appropriate. Provide proactive LLNL executive representation of LLNS to DOE/NNSA. Coordinate and lead a team of legal professionals managing a variety of disputes and litigation, employment matters, complex business transactions (e.g., industry and academic consortia, joint ventures, CRADAs), regulatory compliance, intellectual property, technology transfer, and other legal matters. Lead the Office of General Counsel, an organization consisting of about twenty attorneys and other legal professionals, including responsibility for budgetary matters, recruitment, retention, and career development. Identify, retain, and manage outside counsel, and oversee others who do, to represent LLNS in litigation and to provide specialized legal advice. Participate in the development and drafting of policies and procedures, implementing legal and regulatory requirements, and developing and implementing programs to ensure compliance. Develop relationships and networks with key stakeholders, such as DOE and NNSA attorneys and leaders at headquarters and the Livermore Field Office, LLNS members and their counsel, local officials, and other attorneys across the DOE/NNSA national laboratory complex. Work cooperatively with LLNS member counsel, including keeping designated member counsel apprised of significant legal matters. Provide coaching and mentorship to junior attorneys to develop legal skills and judgment.

Requirements

Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship .
Juris Doctor (or equivalent degree) and membership in the California Bar (or the ability to obtain a limited practice license as Registered In-House Counsel in California).
Extensive experience leading and managing a team of legal professionals in a corporate legal office, a federal government legal office, a university, or a law firm.
Extensive experience managing legal functions relating to litigation, employment and benefits, regulatory compliance (including environmental), procurement, intellectual property, and business transactions.
Advanced analytical, problem solving and decision-making skills necessary to independently interpret, advise, recommend, approve and implement solutions/actions.
Expert verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills necessary to effectively explain, present, negotiate, advise and influence all levels of management and stakeholders.
Experience working with government agencies and commitment to establishing a close working relationship with federal counterparts.

Nice To Haves

Expertise and experience managing a legal counsel office in an organization that provides services to the federal government.
Experience working in a national laboratory or other federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) and/or prior interaction with DOE/NNSA.
Broad knowledge of DOE and/or NNSA.
Experience working with federal government contracts.
Experience working with a Board of Directors.

Responsibilities

Serve as a strategic leader who can architect transformational organizational change that aligns with LLNL’s mission and leadership priorities.
Provide proactive risk assessment that leans into operational needs and mission priorities of LLNL and DOE/NNSA.
Be a catalyst for change with an ability to effectively collaborate with and influence senior management and leadership at all levels of the organization.
Advise LLNS management and provide practical, strategic, and solution-oriented advice on a broad range of legal matters.
Partner with the senior management team to establish strategic priorities, implement policies, and provide oversight and management for the Laboratory.
Provide legal support to the LLNS Board of Governors as appropriate.
Provide proactive LLNL executive representation of LLNS to DOE/NNSA.
Coordinate and lead a team of legal professionals managing a variety of disputes and litigation, employment matters, complex business transactions (e.g., industry and academic consortia, joint ventures, CRADAs), regulatory compliance, intellectual property, technology transfer, and other legal matters.
Lead the Office of General Counsel, an organization consisting of about twenty attorneys and other legal professionals, including responsibility for budgetary matters, recruitment, retention, and career development.
Identify, retain, and manage outside counsel, and oversee others who do, to represent LLNS in litigation and to provide specialized legal advice.
Participate in the development and drafting of policies and procedures, implementing legal and regulatory requirements, and developing and implementing programs to ensure compliance.
Develop relationships and networks with key stakeholders, such as DOE and NNSA attorneys and leaders at headquarters and the Livermore Field Office, LLNS members and their counsel, local officials, and other attorneys across the DOE/NNSA national laboratory complex.
Work cooperatively with LLNS member counsel, including keeping designated member counsel apprised of significant legal matters.
Provide coaching and mentorship to junior attorneys to develop legal skills and judgment.