Legal Counsel

Job Description

Job Description

Salary : $120,063 -$146,696

JOB TITLE : Legal Counsel

POSITION CLASSIFICATION : Senior Director

SALARY BAND : A and B

REPORTS TO : General Counsel

LOCATION : Washington, DC Area (Preferred)

About American Rivers

American Rivers is championing a national effort to protect and restore all rivers, from remotemountain streams to urban waterways. Healthy rivers provide people and nature with clean,abundant water and natural habitat. For 50 years, American Rivers staff, supporters, andpartners have shared a common belief : Life Depends on Rivers.

The beauty of rivers is that they connect all people and communities including within ourorganization. The life experiences, knowledge, innovation, and talent that different people bringto our work provides perspectives, experiences, and competencies which are critical to oureffectiveness in protecting wild rivers, restoring damaged rivers, and conserving clean water forpeople and nature.

JOB SUMMARY

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Legal Counsel for American Rivers, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and its affiliated 501(c)(4) organization, and a potential third tax-exempt or advocacy affiliate. As a critical member of the legal team, this in-house attorney will be responsible for ensuring that the organization complies with all relevant laws and regulations, providing legal advice to management, and protecting the organizations interests in various business matters. This role involves creation and management of preemptive risk tools and policies and advising and supporting the organization in legal disputes and negotiations. In collaboration with the General Counsel, the Legal Counsel shall proactively address the unique legal and governance challenges inherent in a multi-affiliate structure, ensuring each entity operates within the scope of its exempt purpose, while leveraging permissible collaboration to advance shared mission goals.

This role requires a proactive approach to risk management, excellent communication skills, and the ability to handle a broad range of legal matters relevant to the organizations operations.

The successful candidate will have a collaborative mindset with excellent communication skills and the proven ability to work across departments and with external partners.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Committing to American Rivers core values.
• Delivering accurate, timely legal counsel to executives and management on a broad range of topics including contracts, employment, partnerships, corporate finance, and compliance with particular emphasis on the legal intricacies that involve or impact the 501(c)(3) and 501 (c)(4) tax-exempt organizations and any additional affiliates by ensuring strict adherence to permissible collaborations, financial separations, and reporting obligations unique to each entity type
• Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a variety of legal documents including inter-organizational agreements, memoranda of understanding, and shared service contracts to ensure full regulatory compliance
• Leading legal review on all joint projects, advocacy campaigns, fundraising efforts, and resource-sharing arrangements to ensure that program expenses, staff roles, and communications are properly allocated and documented to prevent impermissible subsidization or commingling of activities between affiliates
• Developing and implementing internal governance policies, and regularly monitoring compliance with these policies and applicable laws
• Conducting research and evaluating legal risks related to organizational decisions and operations, and offering proactive solutions and pathways to minimize exposure in areas such as corporate, political, and employment matters
• Monitoring and facilitating mission-related litigation, working with conservation staff, the board committee, declarants, and outside counsel
• Supporting the General Counsel in guiding the organization through third-party disputes and internal litigation, as necessary
• Executing ongoing management of transactional risk, vendor performance, project-life bonding and insurance
• Assisting with the preparation, review, and management of programmatic project documents, including contracts, RFPs (Requests for Proposals), and bid evaluations, to ensure compliance with organizational standards, governmental compliance, and project goals.
• Keeping abreast of changes in local, state, and federal laws and regulations, and integrating relevant updates into the organizations operations
• Advising the board and staff on conflict-of-interest policies, ensuring transparency through proper disclosure, recusal procedures, and alignment with the organization's fiduciary responsibilities
• Supporting the protection of intellectual property, including trademarks and copyrights
• Providing legal guidance and training to ensure organizational compliance with data privacy laws and regulations. Developing and maintaining privacy policies, managing privacy risks, and leading incident response efforts
• Coordinating and managing relationships with external counsel and regulatory authorities, as needed
• Assisting with General Counsel with preparations for board and committee meetings for all organizations
• Assisting in training and mentoring Legal Interns
• Completing additional duties as assigned by the General Counsel

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates who are unsure if they meet all minimum qualifications or who have transferable skills and experience beyond the conservation sector are encouraged to apply.

LOCATION HYBRID with access to our Washington, DC headquarters minimum of 2 days a week in office. Other occasional regional and national travel to meetings and training may be required.

COMPENSATION

American Rivers offers marketable compensation that reflects the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate. The salary range for this position is $120,063 -$146,696, annually, depending on experience and qualifications. We provide a comprehensive Total Rewards package to our full-time, regular employees', including :

At American Rivers, we are committed to supporting our employees well-being, professional growth, and financial security, ensuring they can thrive both at work and in life.

COMMUNITY AND OPPORTUNITY

American Rivers is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request reasonable accommodation, please contact the Human Resources department at 202-243-7040 or recruitment@americanrivers.org. Please note that one weeks advance notice is preferred.

Applicant must be legally allowed to work as an employee in the United States. American Rivers is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Candidates of all personal and professional backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Posting will close on Friday, December 12, 2025