General Counsel
The Bronx Defenders - Bronx, NY
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The Bronx Defenders (BxD) - an innovative, progressive non-profit providing holistic defense, legal representation and advocacy to thousands of indigent clients in the South Bronx - seeks an experienced attorney with a demonstrated commitment to social justice to join us as General Counsel. Established in 1997, The Bronx Defenders developed its groundbreaking model of representation known as holistic defense with the goal of radically transforming how low-income people in the Bronx are represented in the legal system. BxD’s dynamic and diverse staff of over 400 includes interdisciplinary teams made up of criminal, civil, immigration, and family defense attorneys, as well as social workers, benefits specialists, legal advocates, parent advocates, investigators, and team administrators, who collaborate to provide clients with multi-dimensional, holistic advocacy to address the causes and consequences of legal system involvement. Through this integrated team-based structure, BxD has won national recognition for its holistic model of public defense, which achieves better outcomes for the people we defend while striving to bring about transformational change in the system itself.Each year, we defend more than 20,000 low-income Bronx residents in criminal, civil, family, and immigration cases, and reach thousands more through our community intake, youth mentoring, and outreach programs. Our staff consists of thoughtful and creative individuals united by a deep commitment to social justice. Through impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community organizing, we push for systemic change at the local, state, and national levels. We take what we learn from the people we represent and communities we work with and launch innovative initiatives designed to bring about real and lasting change.Reporting to the Executive Director and the Board of Directors, the General Counsel provides legal advice and counsel to the organization’s leadership on critical legal, strategic, and public policy issues facing BxD. The General Counsel is the chief legal officer of the organization and a member of the BxD executive management team. In that capacity, the General Counsel also advises the Board of Directors directly on legal matters and is responsible for ensuring that the Board is apprised of material legal developments and risks. The General Counsel supports the organization’s leadership to ensure compliance with applicable law and uphold high standards of ethics, integrity, and equity throughout the organization’s operations. The General Counsel assists leadership in strategically managing legal risks in all aspects of decision-making; providing legal expertise in the development of innovative programs and initiatives; and providing responsive and constructive general legal support to the organization’s entire staff. The Bronx Defenders is a unionized workplace; approximately 70% of the staff are members of the union.Non-Profit/Charitable Organization OperationsEnsure compliance with legal restrictions applicable to charitable organizations and New York not-for-profit corporationsProvide guidance on governance procedures and fiduciary responsibilitiesAssist with regulatory reporting and approvalsHelp incorporate best practices into all aspects of governance and operationsEthics And PracticeResolve questions of interpretation under rules of professional conductOversee management and defense of professional responsibility claimsProvide training and resources on organizational legal matters for legal staffProvide training and legal support to ensure compliance with confidentiality, conflicts, and practice of law requirements applicable to non-lawyer members of cross-disciplinary client representation teamLabor And EmploymentMaintain, update and interpret BxD employee handbook and other policies and proceduresSupport People & Culture in interpreting the BxD collective bargaining agreement and handling union grievancesTrain staff on legal compliance and risk management issuesProvide guidance on employment-related matters including legal requirements, leaves, accommodations, benefits administration, equity and inclusion, harassment and discrimination, and employee privacyTransactional and OperationalReview, negotiate and draft agreements, including those with vendors, funders, partner organizations, and litigation agreementsSupport the operations team on real estate and facilities mattersReview and advise on sensitive draft communicationsMonitor and enforce intellectual property rightsAdvise on compliance with lobbying rules and restrictions on political activityAdvise the Information Technology (IT) team regarding compliance with legal requirements concerning data, data sharing, security and technologyAdvise the Development team on charitable solicitation guidelines and registrationsInternal and External Legal AffairsManage insurance responses to claims Support the Chief Operating Officer to manage insurance policies and claimsManage organizational responses to investigations and subpoenasSupervise outside counselWork with the Board of DirectorsEnsure compliance with corporate governance laws and best practices Advise the Board on legal risks and issues potentially requiring Board direction or other actionFacilitate Board and Board committee communicationsPrepare Board meeting materials and minutesOversee maintenance of corporate recordsOffice of The General Counsel (OGC)Lead and direct the OGC Supervise and support OGC staff with an emphasis on professional developmentProvide equitable, culturally conscious supervision, and support marginalized supervisees in navigating experiences of oppression in their workStay up to date on relevant laws and regulations and ensure OGC staff receive proper trainingTo be eligible, candidates must have: Juris Doctor from an accredited law schoolAdmission to the New York bar or eligibility for pro hac admission at the time of hiringCandidates should demonstrate:Commitment to social justice work and issues affecting low-income individuals impacted by the criminal, family, immigration and civil legal systemsCommitment to holistic defense and client centered representationExperience working in or with racially, ethnically and socioeconomically marginalized communitiesUnderstanding of how race, class, power, and privilege affect the lives of and our relationships with clients, the Bronx community, and colleaguesAbility to effectively and respectfully communicate, collaborate and connect with people with various backgrounds, identities and experiences Ability to collaborate with, communicate goals to and strategize with outside individuals and firmsAbility to work independently as well as collaboratively with people at various organizational levelsStrong legal research and analytical skillsAbility to proactively issue spot and develop legal strategies and solutionsEmpathetic, collaborative and responsive leadership styleTransparent, constructive and directcommunication styleWorking legal knowledge of:Charitable/non-profit organizations Legal ethics and the practice of lawState and federal labor and employment lawContractsSupervisory and mentoring skills, including:Interest in and commitment to developing and mentoring superviseesAbility to provide intentional and constructive feedbackFlexibility in balancing needs of supervisees against their own personal workloadAbility to multitask, maintain order and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment Meticulous attention to detailAbility to think critically and creatively in fast-paced settings, finding innovative solutions to unique obstaclesAbility to receive constructive feedback, demonstrate introspection and shift behavior accordinglyAbility to exercise excellent judgment, discretion, and confidentiality with sensitive mattersCommitment to raising one’s cultural consciousness and challenging oppressive practices on an interpersonal and institutional level The following are preferred, but not required:7+ years of experience providing legal support to comparable legal services organizations or nonprofits Legal familiarity with:Government contractsCharitable solicitationsTorts and insuranceLobbying complianceCommercial real estateData and technologyIntellectual propertyThis is a hybrid position that will require a minimum of 21 hours of in-office work per week. Salary is commensurate with experience. The salary range for this position would be approximately $225,000-$275,000. Full-time employees are also eligible for a comprehensive benefits package including but not limited to medical, dental and vision coverage; a 403(b) plan with employer contribution; a generous vacation, sick leave, and parental leave policy. More specific information about salary and benefits will be provided when and if an offer is extended.Approximately 70% of The Bronx Defenders' staff, including attorneys and non-attorneys, are represented by UAW Local 2325 - Association of Legal Aid Attorneys (AFL-CIO). This position is not within the bargaining unit."¯"¯This position is exempt. By law, nonexempt employees are compensated hourly based on their annual rate and therefore are entitled to over-time, whereas exempt employees are not.To apply, please click APPLY TO THIS JOB ONLINE and upload your resume and a cover letter in one document. If you would prefer to send in a video or audio statement in lieu of a cover letter, you may upload your resume as a document and separately upload a video or audio statement instead of a cover letter. Your cover letter or video/audio statement should share why you want to do this work at our office, some key lived and/or professional experiences that have prepared you for this position, and any additional information you would like for us to consider. This information allows us to understand your distinct perspective, experience and potential beyond the work history summarized on your resume. Your cover letter may be up to one page if written or up to 3 minutes if an audio/video statement. If selected for the position, your resume will be used to determine your salary based on the number of years of directly relevant professional experience listed; we therefore encourage you to ensure your resume is up to date. Please remember that you may submit a written cover letter or an audio/video statement, but not both, and applications without either will not be considered.Applications will be accepted through September 25, 2024. Please contact Wesley Caines, Interim Executive Director, via email at any questions regarding the position.The Bronx Defenders is an equal opportunity employer and is cultivating an anti-oppressive workplace that embraces staff with a diversity of backgrounds, identities and experiences. We acknowledge the ways in which systemic oppression and injustice can undermine access to professional opportunities and are committed to conducting hiring and promotion processes that are equitable and accessible to those commonly excluded from the workforce. We do not discriminate against and in fact specifically encourage applicants from marginalized communities to apply, including those who identify as Black, Indigenous, people of color, queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, disabled, neurodivergent and those directly impacted by criminal, civil, family and immigration legal systems. We value lived as well as professional experience and particularly welcome applications from the Bronx community that we work with.
Created: 2024-09-07