Officer, Legal Affairs and Counsel

Officer, Legal Affairs and Counsel (Hybrid)

Legal Affairs Department

Pew’s Legal Affairs team provides crucial legal guidance to support our teams of experts worldwide who research, develop, and communicate analyses explaining critical emerging issues, inform public policy, and advocate for solutions to these and other important problems.

For over 20 years, Pew has made dramatic advances in its international activities. Pew’s work spans all seven continents with more than 250 professionals working at the local, national, and international levels to reduce the scope and severity of global environmental problems, such as the erosion of large natural ecosystems that contain a great part of the world’s remaining biodiversity, and the destruction of the marine environment. Pew focuses on science-based, nonpartisan, and sustainable solutions to help protect the planet and people. We work in partnership with governments, Indigenous rights holders, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, local stakeholders, scientists, and other researchers to advance public policy so that nature and communities can thrive.  

In this role, you’ll be at the center of Pew’s efforts, supporting the organization as the work grows in volume and complexity. Your astute legal insights will be put to good use, as this position is responsible for a wide and growing array of legal matters.

Position Overview:

Pew is seeking a client oriented and highly skilled attorney for the position of Officer, Legal Affairs and Counsel. The primary responsibility of this position is to support Pew’s international programmatic activities on a wide variety of legal issues.  Day-to-day duties of this position may include advising on contracting, intellectual property, data sharing, lobbying/ethics compliance, foreign corrupt practices, sanctions and defamation; drafting and reviewing agreements; conducting legal research and analysis on requirements applicable to Pew's expanding international charitable activities, including international donors; working with outside counsel as necessary; supporting complex nonprofit transactional projects and partnerships; and liaising between the Legal Affairs department and Pew staff. 

This position is based in Pew’s Washington, DC office and will report to the Director, Legal Affairs and Senior Counsel.  This position participates in Pew’s hybrid work program with core days in the office and the flexibility to telework the remaining days. Staff also enjoy four telework “flex weeks” per year.

Responsibilities:

• Assist internal clients in strategically planning projects, agreements, communications and ongoing programmatic work to assure compliance with all applicable domestic and international laws.
• Provide risk-calibrated, legally informed business advice in support of Pew’s existing, expanding and new lines of domestic and international work, including partnerships with domestic and international organizations.
• Advise on relevant developments in key areas of non-profit legal compliance, such as advocacy/lobbying, government ethics, prohibited campaign intervention, foreign corrupt practices, sanctions, anti-trust, defamation, and grants and contracts, among others.
• Conduct trainings of staff on topics as assigned.
• Draft, review and negotiate a broad range of agreements in connection with Pew's work.
• Identify, assess and communicate legal and business risks, including reputational risks, to decision makers.
• Collaborate with colleagues and leadership to inform departmental and organizational objectives and outcomes.
• Manage outside counsel as necessary for project and localized/specialized legal advice.
• Other duties as assigned.

 Requirements

• J.D., licensed to practice law in the District of Columbia, or eligible for such admission promptly upon hiring.
• Generally, requires eight years of relevant experience, with a minimum of five years of legal experience.
• Experience advising nonprofits, multi-lateral institutions or other organizations operating internationally, preferably with multiple country offices.
• Experience advising on compliance with international laws and regulations, including lobbying and government ethics.
• Strong client service skills and the ability to resolve problems creatively, collaboratively, and effectively; to identify underlying issues, patterns and trends in complex situations; and to apply relevant expertise and experience to solving diverse legal questions.
• Exemplary communications skills, including the ability to summarize issues and address them in a clear, concise and easily understood manner.
• Experience in developing and conducting trainings and educational resources.
• The successfu