Overview

Location: 115 E. 13th Street, New York, NY 10003

Summary:

The General Counsel (GC) serves as the chief legal officer for the organization, overseeing risk management and providing strategic legal guidance to leadership, the Board of Directors, and staff to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and ethical standards. The GC oversees all legal matters, including contracts, corporate structure and governance, employment law, regulatory compliance, intellectual property, and nonprofit-specific requirements. The GC coordinates with outside counsel when required for insurance claims and other matters while undertaking and completing other legal tasks directly. The GC serves as a thought partner to the CEO and the executive team in advancing the organization’s mission while safeguarding its legal and institutional integrity.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Legal Advisory, Representation & Compliance

    • Provide legal advice to the CEO, senior leadership, and Board on legal risks, compliance requirements, and strategic matters.
    • Provide legal opinions and representation for HELP USA on matters as required.
    • Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local nonprofit laws and regulations, including Federal IRS 501(c) (3) tax-exempt status and other similar requirements.
    • Monitor and interpret changes in laws and regulations affecting the organization.

Corporate Governance & Structure

    • Support the Board of Directors in governance matters, including drafting, reviewing, and/or filing bylaws, policies, committee charters, corporate certificates, and other corporate documents.
    • Ensure proper recordkeeping, meeting notices, minutes, and compliance with governance best practices; and guide the Board on fiduciary duties and legal obligations.
    • Review current corporate structure, identify opportunities for streamlining and/or risk mitigation, and take steps to implement changes as necessary and appropriate. This will include various “single-purpose entities” established in relation to specific funding requirements or housing development projects.

Contract & Transaction Management

    • Draft, review, and/or negotiate contracts, MOUs, partnership agreements, grant agreements, vendor agreements, service contracts, leases, and other real estate-related agreements
    • Develop and maintain contract templates and approval processes.

Employment Law & Labor Relations

    • Advise on employee relations, workplace policies, benefits, hiring, and termination procedures.
    • Ensure compliance with employment laws and handle sensitive personnel issues in partnership with the Human Resources (HR) department and outside counsel; and, as necessary and appropriate, represent HELP USA in legal proceedings in this area.

Risk Management

    • Identify potential legal risks and propose mitigation strategies.
    • Oversee insurance claims and incident investigations, working with legal counsel assigned by insurance carriers as necessary.

Litigation & Dispute Resolution

    • Manage or oversee outside counsel in litigation, investigations, or disputes.
    • Coordinate internal investigations and respond to regulatory inquiries, representing HELP USA in court proceedings as necessary and appropriate.

Required Skills/Abilities:

    • Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school, with a license to practice law in New York.
    • Minimum 10 years of legal experience, with at least 5 years advising nonprofit organizations preferred.
    • Strong knowledge of nonprofit governance, tax-exempt compliance, contracts, employment, insurance, housing finance, and real estate law.
    • Excellent judgment and analytical, and communication skills (written and verbal). Strong ability to translate legal concepts into practical solutions.
    • Experience with information technology tools and platforms (including artificial intelligence tools) in support of legal functions and transactions.
    • Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s mission and values.
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