Full-Time General Counsel

ABOUT US The Black Futures Lab (501c3) works to make Black communities powerful. BFL transforms Black communities into constituencies that wield independent political power at the municipal, state, and federal levels. The problems our communities face are complex; the solutions require imagination, experimentation, and political power. We advance strategies that help us imagine the alternatives we deserve while building political power at the local, state, and national levels to implement those alternatives. To learn more, visit www.blackfutureslab.org.

The Black Futures Lab is hiring for a General Counsel position, a shared position with sister organization Black to the Future Action Fund.

Position Summary We recognize the importance of legally sound practices in advancing our mission. We seek a strategic and detail-oriented General Counsel to serve as the organization's chief legal advisor and compliance leader. The role supports 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and Super PAC operations. Managing all legal and compliance matters, including federal and state laws, labor and employment law, campaign finance regulations, contracts, lobbying rules, and corporate governance. Reporting to the COO.

Responsibilities include conducting legal reviews, managing external counsel relationships, providing guidance on compliance, risk management, and training programs to strengthen organizational capacity. Collaborate with senior staff to ensure operations, policies, and public reporting align with federal and state requirements and support the organization's mission.

Candidate Profile Must be a strategic, detail-oriented, collaborative legal expert with a strong background in nonprofit and campaign finance law. Experience as a General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, or in a senior legal advisory role within complex organizations, with in-depth understanding of regulatory, governance, and compliance needs of nonprofits and political entities. Ability to navigate intersections between 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and PAC operations.

Key Responsibilities

1. Legal Advisory and Compliance: Primary legal contact for all legal matters related to organization operations.
2. Compliance Oversight: Ensure compliance with nonprofit tax law, campaign finance regulations, employment laws, and internal policies.
3. Leadership Support: Provide strategic legal advice to the Board, officers, and on critical legal matters.
4. Voter Contact Materials: Conduct thorough legal reviews of voter outreach materials to ensure adherence to FEC, state, and U.S Treasury regulations.
5. Contract and Document Management: Draft, negotiate, and finalize contracts, grant agreements, and legal documents.
6. Policy and Guidance Development: Prepare and update internal policies related to entity registration, campaign finance, disclaimers, and document retention.
7. Compliance Reporting: Work with staff to ensure accurate and timely public reporting of financial activities.
8. Tax Compliance: Monitor compliance with tax laws for nonprofit entities.
9. External and Internal Collaboration: Serve as liaison with outside legal counsel, advising program staff on compliance.
10. Employment and Staff Support: Collaborate with HR on employment matters, and provide staff training on relevant legal topics.
11. Risk Management and Governance: Identify potential legal risks and provide proactive solutions.

Qualifications

• JD from an accredited US law school
• Active bar membership (preferably in NC, GA, WI, LA, or CA)
• Minimum 5 years relevant legal experience; 1-2 years specializing in campaign finance or nonprofit tax compliance
• Experience advising 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and PAC organizations
• Project management experience
• Campaign finance and lobbying compliance expertise

Core Competencies: Attention to detail, superior written/verbal communication, collaboration, strategic thinking, stakeholder engagement, leadership and values alignment

Compensation and Benefits: Salary range $145,000-$175,000. Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and more.

Work Environment: Remote position, 10 am-6 pm local time. Travel for quarterly meetings is required.

Application Deadline: February 14, 2025. Rolling review of applications.

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