Assistant General Counsel in Washington, District of Columbia at District of Columbia Bar
Explore Related Opportunities
Job Description
The D.C. Bar seeks a highly capable, motivated, and detail-oriented Assistant General Counsel (AGC) to support the organization in legal, governance, compliance and business matters impacting the D.C. Bar (Bar), the non-profit D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center (PBC) and the for-profit D.C. Bar Services Group (DCBSG). The AGC reports to the General Counsel and serves as a key legal resource to internal clients regarding a broad range of issues and transactions. The AGC plays a vital role in furthering the mission of the Bar by reviewing and managing policies related to the Bar and PBC, overseeing the contracts and procurement functions, and a wide variety of other legal matters.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assists the General Counsel in providing day-to-day legal advice and guidance on a wide range of issues affecting the D.C. Bar and PBC, including governance, membership, and programs.
- Drafts, amends, reviews, negotiates, and manages contracts and other strategic agreements. Evaluates and proposes improvements to the Bar’s contract function and processes.
- Contributes to drafting Board agendas, meeting minutes, and Board materials. Serves as staff liaison for Board and other Bar committees.
- Advises and manages Bar and PBC policies, Board policies, Bylaws, and other documents to ensure alignment with organizational goals and mission.
- Leverages AI tools to streamline legal workflows, automate routine tasks, and improve the efficiency and output of an in-house legal department.
- Reviews draft social media posts, emails and website postings from the Marketing and Sponsorship/Affinity teams.
- Assists the Membership Department in responding to member inquiries and requests, resolving issues relating to member licenses, and revising membership requirements.
- Drafts and negotiates commercial lease amendments, preparing demand letters for unpaid rent and other lease defaults, and advising on lease terms and tenant relations.
- Supports internal training and education on legal and compliance for Bar and PBC staff, including advising on Constitutional issues related to mandatory bars.
- Provides legal support for the launch and expansion of DCBSG’s product and services business.
- Assists with enterprise risk management, insurance programs and renewals, and strategic planning.
- Coordinates with outside counsel on litigation, intellectual property, non-profit, and tax issues.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school.
- An active member of the D.C. Bar or eligible to become an active D.C. Bar member.
- Prior experience as an in-house attorney in a non-profit or membership organization or a corporation.
- Knowledge and experience drafting, reviewing, interpreting, and advising on contracts.
- Knowledge and experience working with governance documents, including charters, bylaws, and policies.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office and other common software applications.
- Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working environment.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills with demonstrated ability to produce “final draft” quality work product (e.g. Board memos, policy revisions, contracts, PowerPoint slides) with minimal editing.
- Must be detail-oriented and deadline-driven. Able to multi-task and work in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills. Ability to work both independently and in a team environment and be able to interact, including in-person, with Bar members, volunteers, vendors, the public, and Bar employees.
- Must work well under pressure, possess excellent organizational abilities, and be able to manage several priorities in a day.
- Must be adaptable, creative, and self-motivated.
- Ability to handle and maintain the confidentiality of highly sensitive information.
*** Please submit resume, cover letter, and two (2) writing samples. ***
This position is currently a hybrid position, with days worked in the office and days worked remotely. The hybrid status of this position may change at any time subject to the Bar’s discretion.
This is not an attempt to list all essential functions of this position. Job duties may change over time based on organizational/department needs.
The D.C. Bar is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability status, or any other applicable characteristics protected by law.
The Bar is committed to providing qualified individuals with reasonable accommodations to perform the essential functions of their jobs, pursuant to applicable law. If you require reasonable accommodation as part of the application process, please contact Human Resources at HR@dcbar.org.
As part of the accommodation process, we will conduct an individualized interactive process and may ask you for additional information. Any final hiring decisions or start dates may be delayed while the accommodation review process is ongoing if the individual cannot begin work without the requested accommodation.