Managing Chief Counsel

Hybrid or Remote with a willingness to work ET hours when necessary
American Rivers is a national conservation organization working to make every river clean and healthy for people and wildlife. We combine evidence-based solutions with enduring partnerships to safeguard the 4.4 million miles of rivers and streams that are essential to our nation’s clean drinking water, extraordinary wildlife, and the strength of our communities. The beauty of rivers is that they connect all people and communities – including within our organization. The life experiences, knowledge, innovation, and talent that different people bring to our work provides perspectives, experiences, and competencies which are critical to our effectiveness in protecting wild rivers, restoring damaged rivers, and conserving clean water for people and nature.
The General Counsel leads the organization’s legal function and heads up the legal team to provide legal services to American Rivers across a broad range of matters, including transactional and procurement agreements, employment law, nonprofit corporate governance and tax compliance, federal and state government funding compliance, intellectual property, lobbying disclosure compliance, corporate sponsorship, and charitable solicitation regulation. Serving as a member of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), the General Counsel directs and manages all aspects of legal services for a national nonprofit organization and affiliated organizations that include a 501 (c)(4) and connected PAC in a period of growth and evolving organizational needs.
The General Counsel also advises the People and Culture Department on employment-related policies, employee benefits, insurance, and personnel matters. In addition, the General Counsel serves as a legal advisor to and partner with the executive team, staffs the Board Litigation Committee, and serves as the Board Assistant Secretary. The position oversees a legal department of four and two to four summer law clerks and reports to the Senior Vice President for Business Strategy & Operations.
Draft and review contracts and other legal agreements, including master agreements, subgrants, corporate arrangements, memoranda of understanding, and leases, and advise staff on related compliance matters.
and recommend improvements to procurement policies and procedures as needed.
Partner with program staff on the development and execution of RFPs and RFQs, and identify, manage, and escalate the legal issues arising for projects contracting, permitting, procurement, insurance, compliance, claims, and dispute resolution.
Corporate Governance and Tax Compliance

With the CEO, review and revise bylaws and other corporate documents, support sound corporate governance practices, and help maintain American Rivers’ good standing with federal and state regulators.
Risk Management

Develop and implement a proactive risk management framework, identify and escalate emerging legal, operational, and compliance risks to leadership, and recommend practical mitigation strategies.
Lead efforts to reduce liability risk by developing and reviewing internal policies and procedures.
Address personnel issues in ways that minimize risk and reduce the likelihood of litigation.
If in aggregate beneficial to American Rivers, recommend transferring risk contractually to protect the organization from undue legal exposure.
Oversee the organization’s insurance program, including applications, renewals, coverage questions, risk escalation, and integration of insurance requirements into contracts.
Advise and manage employment matters in close partnership with the People and Culture leader, including high-priority personnel issues.
Establish systems and processes with People and Culture to support best practices in performance management.
Develop and communicate policies and procedures related to standards of legal and ethical conduct.
Advise on the internship programs for other departments throughout the organization.
Lead recruitment, interviewing, and supervision for the legal departments summer internship program (including legal clerkships) and externships, maintaining and strengthening a rigorous program that develops emerging attorneys while benefiting the organization.
Advise the Board of Directors, President & CEO, and senior management on corporate governance, legal and regulatory compliance, risk management, and other issues affecting operations.
Participate as a member of key leadership teams, contributing to management and strategic planning and providing legal advice as needed.
Advise the Executive Office Manager and Board Liaison as needed in governance-related areas.
Staff the Board Litigation Committee to support review and oversight of organizational litigation and serve as a liaison between the Board and staff.
Advise staff in headquarters and field offices on organizational legal issues, litigation matters, and other matters across a range of legal practice areas.
As prioritized and requested by management, provide legal advice on trademark and copyright matters, secure and defend national trademarks, copyrights, and branding assets, coordinating with pro bono counsel as necessary.
Identify and prepare all-staff training on legal issues relevant to the organization.
Oversee outside counsel strategy and engagement, including matter scoping, budget management, performance oversight, and coordination to ensure timely, practical, and cost-effective legal support.
D. and at least 15 years of successful legal practice experience.
Prior experience as a senior attorney, preferably including General Counsel experience, with a broad legal portfolio and staff management responsibilities.
Experience reviewing, drafting, and negotiating a variety of transactional agreements.
Knowledge of the OMB Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance.
Experience overseeing key elements of organizational risk assessment and management.
Experience with cost-effective management of outside legal resources.
Working knowledge of federal tax and election laws as they apply to 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and Section 527 organizations in general and public-interest law firms in particular.
Ability to travel to board meetings and other convenings as required.
Experience with large construction projects and related
Experience in analyzing and addressing legal ethics
Knowledge of federal, state, and local lobbying
com, Intacct, and the Microsoft Suite or similar tools.
Knowledge of or interest in environmental law and policy matters.
Hybrid or Remote with a willingness to work ET hours when necessary.
We provide a comprehensive Total Rewards package to our full-time, regular employees, including:
Health and Wellness: Medical, dental, vision, long-term and short-term disability, and life insurance.
Financial Security: Time Off: Four weeks of paid leave, eleven paid holidays, three floating holidays, and sick leave.
At American Rivers, we are committed to supporting our employee’s well-being, professional growth, and financial security, ensuring they can thrive both at work and in life.
COMMUNITY AND OPPORTUNITY

~ At American Rivers, our core values drive everything we do – we Lead with Collaboration and Trust, Infuse Equity and Justice, Deliver Results, and Ensure Staff and Volunteers Thrive. Our culture prioritizes work-life thriving through Focus Fridays (no internal meetings), professional development opportunities, a home office stipend, and our comprehensive leave policies, including sabbatical leave (every seven years) and paid parental leave (six weeks w/ one year of service).

~ At American Rivers, our people are our strength, and we are dedicated to building a thriving, inclusive workplace where everyone can grow and contribute to our mission.

American Rivers is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternative format or a reasonable accommodation, please contact the Human Resources department at or We encourage candidates of all personal and professional backgrounds to apply.