General Counsel

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) is a nonpartisan research and policy institute that advances federal and state policies to help build a nation where everyone — regardless of income, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, ZIP code, immigration status, or disability status — has the resources they need to thrive and share in the nation’s prosperity.

CBPP combines rigorous research and analysis, strategic communications, and effective advocacy to shape debates, affect policy, and inform effective implementation both nationally and in states. It works closely with a broad set of national, state, and community organizations to design and advance policies that promote economic justice; improve health; broaden opportunity in areas like housing, health care, employment, and education; and lower structural barriers for people of color and others in communities that continue to face systemic barriers to opportunity. CBPP promotes policies that will build a more equitable nation and fair tax policies that can support these gains over the long term. CBPP also shows the harmful impacts of policies and proposals that would deepen poverty, widen disparities, and worsen health outcomes.

CBPP is seeking a highly experienced and committed General Counsel to serve as its lead attorney on organizational matters. The General Counsel will provide legal counsel to the President, Executive Vice President, Board of Directors, leadership, and staff. Most significantly, the General Counsel will focus on organizational compliance with all applicable federal, state, and D.C. laws and regulations, which include those related to lobbying, tax-exempt status, and tax and board governance issues. They will also provide guidance around employment and labor matters; real estate and commercial leases; intellectual property, including trademark, copyright, and fair use; and security and risk management. The General Counsel will manage CBPP’s outside legal counsel.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the organization’s lawyer and advise the President, senior management, the Board of Directors, and others on a wide range of legal and risk management issues, including tax; compliance with 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) guidelines, including lobbying and electoral rules; contracts; intellectual property; corporate governance; litigation; and employment law.
• Counsel the Chief Financial Officer on issues related to contracts, including reviewing or drafting contracts as necessary, and on issues related to maintaining CBPP’s legal compliance and fiscal integrity.
• Counsel the Vice President for People and Culture (HR) on issues related to employment law, ensuring compliance with CBPP’s collective bargaining agreement. Lead efforts related to union negotiations, including advising management’s representatives on the Labor-Management Committee.
• Counsel the Chief Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Officer on legal issues related to equity and inclusion, including EEOC guidelines, recruitment and retention efforts, population-specific supports and resources, protected classes and workplace protections, and the shifting legal landscape pertaining to the role of equity and inclusion within workplace environments.
• Counsel the Chief Technology Officer on legal issues related to cybersecurity, including compliance with data privacy laws, cyber incident responses, risk mitigation strategies, and legal issues arising from potential data breaches.
• Advise and design compliance programs on the federal, state, and local regulations that apply to CBPP, including those related to lobbying disclosures and charitable fundraising activities.
• Manage CBPP’s outside counsel, including supporting in-house legal needs by coordinating and facilitating engagements and distilling legal advice for senior leadership.
• Work with compliance staff as needed to review all lobbying and tax-oriented filings.
• Advise the President on board governance documents and procedures and ensure that the Board of Directors adheres to D.C. organizational governance laws.
• Manage the defense and/or response of the organization to lawsuits, claims, audits, and investigations.
• Support the organization’s rapid response and internal crisis management efforts.
• Assist policy teams in preparing amicus briefs and other actions CBPP may take regarding legal cases involving federal and state public programs. The General Counsel may also provide legal guidelines and review materials for programmatic work as needed.
• Other duties as assigned by the President, including any job-related duties that support CBPP’s organizational mission.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited U.S. law school and membership in good standing in the bar.
• At least ten years of relevant experience, with some experience in a nonprofit advocacy organization as in-house legal counsel. Experience with 501(c)(3) and/or 501(c)(4) organizations is required.
• Familiarity with the various legal, tax, and compliance issues facing U.S. 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations based in Washington, D.C., including legislative advocacy, lobbying, and electoral rules. Working knowledge of contracts, intellectual property, corporate governance, cost sharing agreements, litigation, and employment law is required.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise proactive/strategic thinking; ability to plan and implement recommendations on difficult and sensitive matters and perform well independently.
• Outstanding time management and organizational skills; high attention to detail and accountability in meeting short- and long-term deliverables and deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage outside counsel.
• Demonstrated ability to engage in legal risk analysis and mitigation efforts.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze issues and engage in collaborative processes to develop options and solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to execute thoughtful decision-making processes for organizational issues.
• Experience in people management, including supervising senior leaders to foster autonomy, collaboration, creativity, transparency, and accountability, is highly preferred.
• A deep commitment to centering equity in work responsibilities and to CBPP’s mission to improve the lives of low- and moderate- income people.
• Unwavering commitment to the highest standards of quality performance and organizational integrity.
• Ability to manage confidential information with sound judgment, discretion, and tact.

This position is based in the Washington, D.C. office. CBPP is currently operating on a hybrid work schedule of two in-office days (Tuesday and Wednesday) per week as well as the first Thursday of each month.

This position reports to the President.

Terms of Employment: Full-time; exempt.

Bargaining Unit Status: This is not a bargaining unit position.

Compensation: Salary for this position ranges from $200,000 to $240,000 per year. Pay is based on a number of factors including job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and internal pay equity. CBPP offers excellent benefits (including health insurance, vision and dental coverage, life and long-term disability insurance, retirement, MERP, and DCAP) and generous vacation, sick leave, and holiday schedules.

Please upload a cover letter and resume. In your cover letter, please include a discussion of what draws you to CBPP's mission.

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter here.

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and welcomes diversity in the workplace and strongly encourages all qualified persons to apply regardless of race, color, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, credit information, pregnancy or parental status, family responsibilities, personal appearance, creed, military or veteran status, religion, ancestry or national origin, union activities, disability, or other status protected by applicable law.