Join the World's Top Legal Talent Network

Job Description

Everyone says they want to change the world. We’re looking for people who actually will.

Alliance Defending Freedom is an alliance-building legal organization that advocates for the right of people to freely live out their faith. Please review our Statement of Faith and Doctrinal Distinctives.

General Counsel

Alliance Defending Freedom is looking for a highly skilled General Counsel to join us in our Lansdowne, VA, office. As the General Counsel, you are a vital part of Alliance Defending Freedom. Reporting to the CEO & President, you will serve as a strategic partner to the CEO, Board of Directors, and the executive leadership team (ELT), and oversee the corporate counsel function for the ministry. This role will be instrumental in shaping the future of ADF as the ministry scales its operations and navigates the evolving legal and regulatory landscape for 501(c)(3) organizations and religious non-profits. The General Counsel will lead all legal, regulatory, compliance, and corporate governance matters on behalf of the ministry, providing expert guidance on complex issues and fostering a culture of innovation and ethical legal and business practices.

Your Essential Responsibilities

LEADERSHIP & LEGAL STRATEGY

Develop and deploy legal strategies to protect the ministry and support its growth, including potential offensive and defensive litigation and analysis and solutions regarding current and potential legal, legislative, or regulatory threats and opportunities.Manage legal risk to the ministry.Champion the ministry’s values and ensure adherence to ethical legal and business practices.Collaborate with the CEO to develop a corporate structure that maximizes the ministry’s effectiveness in fulfilling its mission and minimizes legal risk.Counsel and advise the CEO and ELT on the legal implications of business strategies and activities.Lead the Office of the Corporate Counsel, setting strategic objectives and KPIs and ensuring alignment with ADF’s mission and values.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Provide leadership and expertise to the board governance function.Communicate with the Board Chair at the direction and on behalf of the CEO; prepare agendas and supporting documents for upcoming Board and committee meetings in collaboration with the Board Chair and CEO; supervise the Board Administrative Liaison in the preparation and distribution of agendas, supporting documents, and minutes, and in other administrative activities related to the Board and Corporate Counsel Office; keep the CEO apprised of recent and pending communications with the Board.Serve as the subject matter expert on issues related to articles of incorporation, by-laws, and other key documents and agreements concerning the relationship of the independent Board to the organization.Provide legal and regulatory advice on the design, development, implementation, and maintenance of best practices for corporate governance, keeping abreast of proposed and existing US legislation and regulations and corporate governance practices applicable to foreign and US non-profits.Oversee all legal aspects relating to controlled entities; formation and continuing existence.

LEGAL COMPLIANCE & ADVISORY

Develop and implement a robust corporate compliance program to mitigate legal risks and ensure adherence to legislation and regulations at the federal, state, and local levels, including but not limited to data protection, fraud, 501(c)-specific (both (c)3 and (c)4), and international requirements.Monitor case law, regulatory matters, proposed legislation, and other developments as they relate to the ministry and religious non-profits and advise the CEO and ELT about any impact on the ministry or its business operations.Work closely with leaders across all ministry departments by providing legal advice concerning business management and internal policies and procedures.Manage and oversee legal due diligence for complex business transactions, including contracts, real estate leases and purchases, commercial negotiations and disputes, planned giving, tax, trademark/branding, and intellectual property rights matters.Oversee selection, retention, management, and evaluation of all outside counsel, ensuring high-quality and cost-effective legal services.Provide guidance and leadership, in partnership with Human Resources, on all federal and state employment law policies and issues, including immigration laws.Partner with the Communications team to ensure the protection of relevant intellectual property and the compliance of ADF communications campaigns with applicable laws and regulations.Ensure political and lobbying compliance for all entities.Establish an efficient crisis management plan, including establishing mechanisms to detect and prevent misconduct and conducting internal investigations.Guide and direct the ministry’s record retention and management programs.\Oversee litigation involving the organization, including responding to claims, demands, suits, and third-party subpoenas; engage and oversee outside counsel and other advisors; and represent or oversee the organization's representation in judicial and administrative proceedings.

OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE

Direct the development of the annual corporate legal operational budget, ensuring it aligns with ADF’s financial strategy and operational needs.Direct effective use of contract management systems to ensure timely renewals, terminations, and compliance.Provide guidance on commercial insurance coverage and renewals, ensuring ADF is adequately protected against potential risks.Develop a corporate counsel team of sufficient size and expertise to serve an organization of ADF’s size, complexity, and structure.Provide training to develop Team Members and clear advancement and succession plans.Create a strong teamwork environment that enables sound cross-functional outcomes.

BE A ROLE MODEL FOR SERVANT LEADERSHIP

Demonstrate a commitment to unyielding integrity.Maintain professional growth and development through seminars, workshops, and professional affiliations to keep abreast of the latest developments.Set aside time to pray, reflect, and think.Lead through a lens of positive impact on people and the ministry above self-interest.Foster a spirit of trust in your team and among colleagues.Prioritize talent development and team member care.

Skills You Need To Succeed

Technical knowledge of laws and regulations pertaining to regulatory compliance and corporate governance for multi-national religious organizations.Strong business and legal acumen with the ability to apply expertise and think creatively to address unique or ambiguous situations and to find solutions to multiple, interdependent, complex problems where there is often little legal precedent available to serve as a guide.Demonstrable history of outstanding communication skills, including public speaking and the ability to communicate abstract concepts in simple terms.Experience with fostering strong internal and external relationships and partnering effectively with and across multiple teams to achieve business objectives.Ability to anticipate trends and respond by implementing appropriate changes.Ability to assimilate information quickly, identify and articulate risks, and provide pragmatic solutions.Ability to work across time zones with global sensibilities.Attention to detail and project management.Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office and Westlaw software.Operate with the highest degree of discretion and professionally and appropriately handle highly confidential and sensitive information.Ability to periodically travel to other US and abroad ADF offices to attend Board and leadership meetings and connect with Team Members.

Education And/or Experience Required

JD; licensed to practice law in relevant jurisdiction.12+ years of legal experience in relevant practice areas.5+ years of board governance experience.

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR AN ORGANIZATION WITH A COMPETITIVE

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS PACKAGE, TOO?

We have it! Alliance Defending Freedom offers team members a competitive compensation and benefits package that includes major medical insurance, dental care, medical and dependent care reimbursement, paid disability, long-term care insurance, and life insurance. We also offer a 401(k) plan with a generous company match. Work and life balance is important to the well-being of our team members. You will receive paid time off (PTO) that starts accruing from your hire date and 11 paid holidays per year.

id maternity, Paid paternity, Disability insurance