General Counsel

Action for Boston Community Development is a nonprofit human services organization that each year provides more than 100,000 low income residents in the Greater Boston region with the tools and resources needed to transition from poverty to stability and from stability to success.

The General Counsel serves as a key member of the ABCD senior leadership team and collaborates across all areas of the organization, advising ABCD’s executive and program staff and the ABCD Board of Directors on a variety of legal issues, including grants and contracts review, compliance and governance matters, serving as ABCD’s Assistant Clerk.

Duties include:

Develop, coordinate and oversee a legal strategy for the organization that covers statutory and regulatory compliance, risk management and best practices

Research policy and work with senior management to draft comments on legislation, regulations and other governmental actions applicable to ABCD’s programs and operations

Advise on information privacy and security matters and respond to subpoenas and requests for client and employee information

Manage litigation as well as administrative and regulatory disputes, hearings and processes, in conjunction with outside counsel as necessary

Handle corporate and real estate matters, including reviewing and negotiating leases, revising articles of organization and bylaws, and overseeing corporate mergers, dissolutions, and other corporate and real estate transactions for ABCD and its affiliated corporations, in conjunction with outside counsel as necessary

Counsel human resources department and department heads on individual personnel matters, personnel policies and employment law compliance, in conjunction with outside counsel as necessary

Job Qualifications:

A Juris Doctor degree, license to practice law in Massachusetts and at least 15 years’ relevant experience required. Relevant experience must include at least two of the following areas: (1) tax-exempt/nonprofit organization law; (2) nonprofit governance; (3) corporate law, including experience drafting, reviewing and negotiating contracts; (4) employment law; (5) federal grant law; (6) administrative law

Ability to resolve problems creatively and effectively, identify underlying issues in complex situations, recognize patterns and trends, and apply relevant expertise and experience to legal questions on a wide range of subjects in a fast-paced environment

Familiarity with nonprofit financial management a plus

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with ability to translate legal concepts into lay terms

Why ABCD?

Make an impact on the community

Professional development opportunities and trainings

Health and Dental Insurance

Long-term and Short-term Disability Insurance

Life Insurance

403B Retirement Plan with employer match and vesting after 1 year

Paid Time Off

13 Observed Holidays

ABCD Commitment to Racial Equity

At ABCD, we strive to ensure our employees are as diverse as the individuals and families we serve. Since our founding, we have recognized the role of racial injustice in helping to create and perpetuate poverty over generations. ABCD’s Board of Directors and staff pledge to shine a light on this connection and being a pivotal agent of change, centering the power and voices of oppressed communities.