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 c