General Counsel

POSITION DESCRIPTION

General Counsel

Reports to: Chief Financial Officer, REFORM

Location: New York, NY

Salary Range: Competitive salary and benefits package depending on qualifications

Organization Overview

The mission of the REFORM Alliance is to dramatically reduce the number of people who are unjustly under the control of the criminal justice system – starting with probation and parole. To win, we are leveraging our considerable resources to change laws and policies while changing hearts and minds.

REFORM’s founding partners include award-winning recording artist Meek Mill; Philadelphia 76ers co-owner and Fanatics executive chairman Michael Rubin; philanthropist and attorney Laura Arnold; entrepreneur and business mogul Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter; Kraft Group CEO and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft; Brooklyn Nets co-owner and philanthropic investor Clara Wu Tsai; Third Point LLC CEO and founder Daniel S. Loeb; Galaxy Digital CEO and founder Michael E. Novogratz; Vista Equity Partners founder, chairman, and CEO Robert F. Smith. CNN host and activist Van Jones is the CEO.

Purpose:

The REFORM Alliance is seeking a practical and hardworking General Counsel to lead matters of 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) compliance and governance, and assist the leadership team with matters related to taxation, lobbying, partnerships, grant making and employment. We are seeking a professional who wants to join a dynamic, fast-paced start-up environment, is willing to roll up his or her sleeves to help build a high-impact organization from the ground up and does not view any responsibility as too big or too small. It is imperative for the General Counsel to have a passion for supporting leadership, understand the mission and strategy of REFORM, and work with utmost integrity.

Key Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer -- who also heads Operations, Human Resources and Compliance -- the General Counsel is responsible for providing legal counsel in support of REFORM. The General Counsel will work collaboratively with the CFO and other members of the Executive Leadership Team to support their initiatives, with a focus on tracking lobbying activities and otherwise ensuring that REFORM maintains strict compliance with all legal requirements and its exempt status. The General Counsel will be responsible for preventing and detecting any risks to REFORM’s exempt status and providing the CFO with timely information and legal advice to allow the CFO to appropriately prevent or address the risk. The General Counsel will also be responsible for maintaining REFORM’s official records and policies, and ensuring compliance with the REFORM policies, including record keeping. The General Counsel will also be called upon to review and provide guidance as to other contracts and partnerships contemplated by REFORM’s operational and impact functions, and to assist and advise with employment related agreements and matters.

Core Responsibilities:

Providing practical legal advice and counsel Advising the Executive Leadership Team on tax, regulatory, compliance, corporate, employee, employee benefits, contract and intellectual property matters

Avoiding, overseeing and coordinating any litigation

Providing sound legal advice on issues affecting existing and future operations, clearly identifying risks and mitigation strategies

Overseeing lobbying firms’ filings

Ensuring compliance with corporate and regulatory requirements

Managing and tracking compliance with corporate policies

Assisting the CEO and Chief of Staff with the selection, retention, management, and evaluation of outside counsel

Partnering with the Head of People on employee matters as needed, including compliance-related trainings

Maintaining the official records of the organization

Negotiating and drafting legal documents

Advising and assisting the Executive Leadership Team in ensuring the Board has the resources and information required to fulfill fiduciary duties and comply with governing documents

Maintaining and acting as custodian of all corporate and legal records and documents

Other related duties as directed by the CFO.

Essential Skills, Experience, & Qualities:

J.D. with 12+ years of legal experience in a non-profit organization and/or reputable law firm with non-profit governance and compliance experience

Demonstrated knowledge of tax-exempt organizations and their requirements

Demonstrated knowledge of organizations such as 501(c)(4)’s and/or PAC’s.

Efficient and solutions-oriented

Proven track record of moving projects across the finish line timely and efficiently

Proven success in providing legal guidance in fast-paced organizations and a deeply held commitment to providing clear guidance and information to support timely decision-making.

Significant experience both working independently and supporting a high performing Executive Leadership Team

High level of ethics and commitment

Absolute trust, integrity, and discretion

Exceptional oral and written communication skills

Highly self-motivated, positive, resourceful, tenacious, and adaptable

Due to the start-up nature of the organization, roles and responsibilities may shift at times to ensure REFORM is fit for purpose.

Qualifications

Candidates for the position must have at minimum:

J.D. with 12+ years of legal experience in a non-profit organization and/or reputable law firm with deep non-profit governance and compliance experience

Current knowledge and understanding of applicable regulatory requirements and restrictions related to lobbying activity

Member in good standing of at least one state bar and the ability to register as in-house counsel in New York

Ability to work effectively with Executives

Ability to create, deliver and track effective trainings

Excellent writing and editing skills

Strong organizational and administrative skills; with keen attention to detail

Strong work ethic and willingness to go the extra mile

Excellent interpersonal skills

Political, communications and/or start up experience is a plus

REFORM is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages applications from all qualified applicants regardless of race, sex, gender identity, age, disability, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, veteran status or record of arrest or conviction. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and strive for a workforce that reflects the population that we serve.