General Counsel in Missoula, Montana at Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) is a mission-driven non-profit dedicated to ensuring the future of elk, other wildlife, their habitat and our hunting heritage. Since our founding in 1984, we have helped conserve nearly one square mile of elk country every day. In partnership with others, we have conserved or enhanced more than 9.1 million acres, including improving public access to 1.6 million acres. Our impact will extend to 10 million acres by 2030.

Building on this momentum, RMEF is seeking an experienced and strategic General Counsel to serve as a key advisor to the leadership team and Board of Directors. This role is responsible for guiding the organization’s legal strategy, ensuring compliance, managing risk, and supporting mission-critical initiatives across the organization.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations
• Providing strategic legal guidance to RMEF’s leadership team and Board of Directors
• Reviewing, negotiating, and managing contracts
• Developing and implementing policies for various legal and business matters
• Overseeing and managing litigation
• Supporting mission-driving initiatives including but not limited to land acquisitions, conservation easements, and philanthropic development
• Advising on employment law and related matters

This is an unparalleled opportunity for a senior legal professional to help shape the future of conservation in a dynamic, mission-driven environment.

Location:

RMEF’s General Counsel position is based at RMEF’s Headquarters office in Missoula, Montana – providing the opportunity to pair strategic leadership with Montana’s outdoor lifestyle.

Qualifications include:

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
• Licensed to practice law

Ten or more years of legal experience in the following areas:

• Non-profit law (e.g., fundraising, donations, tax exempt, compliance, regulations)
• Land acquisitions, environmental law, conservation easements
• Corporate/nonprofit governance and Board advisory experience
• Employment law
• Contract drafting, negotiating, and operationalizing compliance
• Privacy, data security and cybersecurity
• Managing and hiring outside counsel
• Managing staff

Job Summary

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Inc.’s (RMEF) General Counsel serves as the chief legal advisor to RMEF, providing strategic counsel to RMEF’s leadership team, employees, and Board of Directors to ensure compliance, manage risk, assist with privacy and data security matters, support RMEF’s tax-exempt mission, and manage and guide all RMEF’s legal matters. Crucial responsibilities include organizational compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations; providing strategic legal guidance to RMEF’s leadership team and Board of Directors; governance—bylaw compliance, mission governance, etc.; reviewing, negotiating, and managing contracts; creation and implementation of policies for various legal and business matters (e.g., document retention, privacy, data and cybersecurity, insurance, contracts, etc.); managing litigation; supporting the organization’s mission-driving initiatives including but not limited to land acquisitions, conservation easements, and philanthropic development; assisting in employment law and management; and other legal matters. This position also oversees and guides compliance and regulatory aspects of RMEF’s advocacy efforts, ensuring legal and regulatory compliance related to any and all politically related activities.

The General Counsel manages RMEF’s Legal department, coordinates with outside counsel as needed and works collaboratively across departments to ensure and support the effective governance and operation of the organization.

Essential Functions

1. Legal Strategy and Compliance

• Ensure that RMEF and its affiliated entities comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations;
• Ensure compliance with, and assist in strategy related to, advocacy and political areas of work by the organization;
• Ensure RMEF’s ongoing compliance with nonprofit and tax-exempt laws and regulatory requirements;
• Coordinate the work of outside counsel with appropriate members or RMEF’s leadership team; and
• Advise RMEF’s leadership on legal risks and strategies related to employment law and organization operations.

2. Board Governance

• In coordination with RMEF’s Board of Director’s separate legal counsel, advise the Board of Directors and the Governance Committee on fiduciary duties, governance best practices, and other matters;
• Assist with drafting and updating organizational bylaws and governing documents;
• Prepare and review Board meeting minutes, resolutions, and other governance materials;
• Provide legal counsel and training to the Board of Directors and committees as requested; and
• Serve as the organization’s Secretary, consistent with RMEF’s Bylaws.

3. Organizational Program Support

• Provide legal guidance for RMEF’s Mission Operations department’s initiatives, including but not limited to land transactions, access agreements, conservation easement acquisitions, and compliance requirements;
• Provide legal assistance related to major gifts, planned giving, and other philanthropic and donor-based activities;
• Work closely with RMEF’s Human Resources department and outside counsel to provide legal guidance on employment matters, policies, and regulatory compliance;
• Serve as the key attorney/legal advisor on major business transactions, including but not limited to acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, etc., as requested; and
• Assist with the negotiation of complex transaction, as requested.

Supervision of Others:

RMEF’s General Counsel supervises RMEF’s legal staff, oversees external legal counsel for the Board of Directors, and oversees other outside legal counsel as requested.

Additional Responsibilities:

Perform other work as required.

Education and Experience:

All candidates must have a Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school and be licensed to practice law. Qualified applicants should also possess ten or more years of legal experience in the following areas: non-profits (e.g., fundraising/donations, tax exempt / nonprofit laws and regulations, etc.), land acquisitions, environmental law, conservation easements, corporate and nonprofit governance (e.g., advising the Board of Directors, compliance with governing documents, proficiency in Roberts Rules of Order, etc.), employment law, contracts (drafting, negotiating, operationalizing compliance), privacy, data security and cybersecurity, other business-focused legal experience, management and hiring of outside counsel, and supervision of others.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

1. Knowledge and support of the RMEF’s mission, goals, and activities, and ability to discuss them with RMEF’s staff, board, volunteers, members, prospective and current donors, and other outside parties.
2. Knowledge and understanding of Land Trust Alliance standards.
3. Strong analytical, quantitative, and problem-solving skills.
4. Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing. Ability to present to large groups and present one’s self and the organization in a professional manner.
5. Ability to effectively collaborate with senior management and function as a strategic partner. Must demonstrate the flexibility to effectively work beside individuals with different expertise and characteristics to strategically implement short-term and long-term goals for the betterment of the organization.
6. Must have the ability to manage, motivate, and lead staff.
7. Must be able to keep sensitive information confidential and manage confidential documents appropriately (attorney-client privilege, work product privilege, general confidentiality obligations, etc.).
8. Must be customer service oriented and team with other departments to provide the legal support necessary to achieve organizational goals.
9. Ability to work independently without frequent, direct supervision and to remain focused on goals and objectives.
10. Must be able to work under stressful conditions, effectively manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines under pressure.
11. Must be able to manage a budget in a cost-effective manner.

Physical Demands:

The employee must sit or stand for lengthy periods of time; use a computer terminal; reach forward and to the side. Occasional work in the evenings and on the weekends may be required. Some travel may be required.