General Counsel, Legal Secretary

Overview

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

 

We are the largest non-governmental provider of social services in America and every year, we help over 30 million Americans overcome poverty, homelessness, addiction, economic hardships, loneliness, and exploitation through a wide range of programs and services.

 

Based in West Nyack, NY our Eastern Territorial Headquarters has an opportunity for a General Counsel, Legal Secretary. This is an onsite position.

 

SCOPE OF POSITION:Provide legal counsel and services to the Territorial Commander and the Board of Trustees of The Salvation Army Eastern Territory, and to and for all its departments, commands, and component units; manage and administer the Territorial Legal Department within the Business Section in its coordination of uninsured litigation matters handled by outside counsel, its review of contracts and other legal documents for the field, its oversight over estates, trust and other gifts that benefit the Territory and its maintenance of corporate records in compliance with legal requirements for the parent and subsidiary corporations. Provide guidance and advice to Territorial Leadership in all aspects of Territorial policy as requested. The General Counsel and the Legal Department staff must guard with utmost confidentiality the inner workings of The Salvation Army.

SUMMARY:Under the direction of the Board of Trustees of The Salvation Army, it is the General Counsel’s responsibility to plan, organize, direct, manage and review the legal activities of The Salvation Army, to provide legal advice and services to The Salvation Army, and oversee and manage uninsured litigation at all levels of court. Furthermore, the General Counsel must independently provide policy level legal advice and legal services. The General Counsel is also responsible for selecting, retaining, and managing multiple outside counsel.

LIMITED LEGAL AUTHORITY:The General Counsel will only have such legal authority to act for the Territory and its corporate instrumentalities as shall be delegated to the General Counsel by the Board of Trustees of The Salvation Army. This restriction shall apply, without limitation, to the execution of contracts, instruments and other documents relating to litigation, gifts, bequests or government or private funding, real property purchases and sales, construction and development.

 

 

Responsibilities

The General Counsel will be responsible for performing the following tasks on a regular basis and will therefore be required to conduct these tasks with ease and efficiency. The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed and are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of a General Counsel.

 

Serve as Secretary to the Board of Trustees of The Salvation Army and all entities created by or under the authority of The Salvation Army Eastern Territory.  In this capacity General Counsel will approve the agendas and present items.  The appointment as the Secretary of the Board of Trustees is subject to the provisions and requirements of the Charter and By-Laws of The Salvation Army or such related entities, as applicable.

Record the Minutes of Board of Trustees meetings. General Counsel shall also record or obtain Minutes of all relevant subsidiary Boards and present same to the Board of Trustees for ratification and safeguard approved Minutes for permanent reference as needed.

Make recommendations through appropriate channels to assist the Territorial Commander in reaching decisions, establishing policies and setting priorities.

Monitor compliance with corporate by-laws and all required corporate filings with the various states and territories in which the Eastern Territory conducts business. General Counsel shall also verify that action taken by the Board of Trustees is consistent with the Charter and By-Laws.

Provide legal counsel and guidance to management at both territorial and divisional headquarters on legal matters relevant to The Salvation Army.

Maintain custody of the Corporate Seal.

Review and process, or supervise such actions, all agreements, leases, releases, deeds, notes payable and receivable, trust agreements, contracts for purchase or sale of property, resolutions and other documents to verify their correctness and suitability prior to presenting them to the Board for execution unless the Board of Trustees, by appropriate resolution, authorizes other designated persons to do so.

Ensure that the pr