Description

Arnold Ventures is a philanthropy whose core objective is to maximize opportunity and minimize injustice. We are dedicated to tackling some of the most pressing problems in the United States. We invest in sustainable change, building it from the ground up based on research, deep thinking, and a strong foundation of evidence. We drive public conversation, craft policy, and inspire action through education and advocacy.

Position Overview

The legal team helps Arnold Ventures advance its objectives by providing solutions-oriented, high-quality legal advice and counsel. Our team of professionals provides legal advice and services to Arnold Ventures’ board, leadership, operational, and programmatic teams. Our work touches upon a wide range of substantive legal areas, including tax, corporate governance, labor and employment, lobbying disclosure requirements, campaign finance, and general contract law. On any given day, the legal team might support complex grant-making activity, structure consulting and vendor arrangements, advise on advocacy initiatives, negotiate operations contracts, or support any other number of business activities.

The Assistant General Counsel will be responsible for assisting Arnold Ventures’ General Counsel with oversight of Arnold Ventures’ legal affairs, including leading the legal team. The successful candidate will be both a skilled generalist in the private foundation context and a content expert in one or more specific legal areas affecting Arnold Ventures. The Assistant General Counsel will be a thoughtful leader and proactive partner with a genuinely held belief that no task is too big or too small. The Assistant General Counsel will report to the Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel and will be based in Arnold Ventures’ Houston office.

Core Responsibilities

• Advise on laws applicable to private foundations, public charities, and social welfare organizations, including IRS rules, state and local lobbying laws, ballot initiative regulations, self-dealing, gift and ethics rules, and campaign intervention regulations
• Supervise and manage a team (5-6 lawyers), supporting individual and collective professional development and skill building
• Ensure the legal team provides consistent, timely, and high-quality guidance and work product, and generally outstanding client service, to all relevant stakeholders 
• Develop strategic priorities and annual goals for the legal team and in partnership with leaders across the organization to meet business needs
• Identify needs and draft guides, templates, and other materials for a variety of compliance areas
• Develop, refine, and maintain internal policies and procedures
• Identify, develop, and deliver regular training to Arnold Ventures staff on relevant legal issues, including grant terms and structuring, conflicts of interest, federal, state, and lobbying rules and disclosures, and campaign finance
• Draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of grant agreements, consulting agreements, and MOUs, and ensure consistency in each legal team member’s approach to same
• Oversee and manage budgets and relationships with outside counsel and advisors
• Track corporate filing and reporting requirements and coordinate with outside counsel in respect thereof
• Work in partnership with Accounting team to identify relevant disclosures and support compliance with ongoing IRS reporting requirements
• Serve as a thought partner to the Grants, Finance, and Operational Planning teams
• Stay current on developments in areas of the law affecting Arnold Ventures, its associated entities, and its grantees

Requirements

• J.D. required
• 10 years of experience including prior law firm and in-house experience
• Subject matter expert in laws applicable to private foundations, donor-advised funds, 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations, and public charities
• Strong leadership, people management, and relationship-building skills
• Expertise, or familiarity and a desire to quickly build expertise, in lobbying, campaign finance, political, and gifts and ethics laws
• Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment in a fast-paced, continually evolving environment 
• Exceptional project management and organizational skills 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex legal concepts to non-legal audiences