General Counsel

Color Of Change is one of the largest Black-led racial justice organizations in the country with more than 7 million email and SMS subscribers. We specialize in providing our members with easy, strategic actions to take in response to racial injustices—that when added with the voices of others—create the leverage for winning real-world change for Black people. From challenging injustice to pushing back against Silicon Valley enablers of white supremacists, Color Of Change has a track record of holding decision-makers — corporate and political — accountable to Black people.

ROLE SUMMARY

The Senior Legal Counsel will report to the Chief Operating Officer and will be a leader in the organization around risk management, compliance, and governance. They will help build efficient and effective systems while maintaining a culture of equity and integrity. The role includes responsibility for day-to-day legal review and responding to legal issues and questions that arise in the course of COC’s operations and programs. This is COC's first and currently only in-house legal role. The Senior Legal Counsel will manage outside counsel and collaborate closely with law firms that provide legal support for the organization.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Protect COC’s interest and manage COC’s legal affairs in support of its mission

Adviser and counsel to the President, COO, senior management, and Board of Directors on a broad range of legal issues.

Initial legal review of all COC programs and projects to help counsel the organization in accordance with the law

Identify and develop efficient solutions to address potential legal issues and exposure, including adherence to federal, state, and local campaign finance laws; lobbying registration and disclosure laws; rules relating to the tax-exempt status of each COC entity; employment practices, and human resources requirements. Refer to outside counsel as appropriate.

Conduct initial and ongoing review of current practices including but not limited to taxes, document retention, employment actions, governance, leases and contracts, lobbying and political filings, insurance, and financial controls to identify and address legal issues

Ongoing revision of contract templates; preparation of standard contracts for the procurement of goods, services, facilities, and supplies.

Advise and assist COC staff and consultants and work with outside counsel and compliance staff to support the preparation and filing of campaign finance reports, lobbying registration and reports, and registrations and reports required under state charitable solicitation law.

Advise on which COC entity or entities should sponsor particular programs, projects, and operations.

Prepare documents relating to corporate governance and organizational policy including resolutions for consideration by the Board of Directors, and advise on other governance matters.

Work with COC’s leadership team to ensure transparency both internally and externally.

Strengthen COC’s ability to forecast by staying up to date on the law, legal trends, and industry developments.

Manage grant contracts and work with the COO and Development to ensure compliance

Work closely with the COO’s office on legal matters relating to employment policies, personnel management, and human resource compliance.

Initial review of and response to legal claims against the COC in coordination with outside counsel.

Support COC’s security program for members and staff, working with external security consultants and vendors as needed.

Help lead training and skills-building of COC staff around compliance, risk management, and reporting requirements.

Any other duties as assigned by management

QUALIFICATIONS

J.D. degree from an accredited law school.

10+ years of experience as an attorney in an organizational or law firm setting.

Licensed to practice law in at least one of the jurisdictions where COC is registered.

Experience representing or working for nonprofit advocacy organizations and/or political organizations or committees (both 501 (c)(3) & (c)(4)

Excellent legal writing and research skills.

Knowledge of and experience with the law of tax-exempt organizations (IRS/IRC), campaign finance and election law (FEC), and/or regulation of advocacy, including lobbying registration, and reporting.

Knowledge of and/or experience with employment law, union contracts, contracts, and transactional law. (NLRB/NLRA & FLSA & EEOC).

Ability to identify legal issues and risks in a wide range of areas, including tax-exempt organizations, campaign finance, First Amendment and defamation, intellectual property rights, and contract rights and obligations.

Experience working with the Attorney General’s Office.

Acts with high integrity and professionalism.

Proven ability to center equity in decision-making, process development, and collaboration style.

Demonstrated leadership skills, especially in relation to aligning multiple teams and/or stakeholders outside of their line management.

Ability to respond quickly to questions and issues with succinct and practical advice and to provide legal counsel geared to the goals and values of the organization.

Enjoys working in a fast-paced and flexible environment where priorities shift and there are opportunities to learn new tactics, tools, and processes.

Deep commitment to racial justice and a passion for Color Of Change’s mission.

COMPENSATION

This is a full-time, exempt position. The salary is $170,000 - $170,000/year. Color Of Change also offers a competitive benefits package.