The Role
The Assistant General Counsel will provide legal advice, ensure compliance, manage contracts, develop policies, and mitigate risks while supporting a nonprofit organization's mission.
Summary Generated by Built In
The Institute for Justice, the national law firm for liberty, is the country’s leading public-interest law firm in the areas of economic liberty, free speech, private property rights, and educational choice. As IJ continues to grow and expand its impact defending Americans’ constitutional rights, we are seeking a dedicated and versatile Assistant General Counsel (AGC) to help ensure the organization’s legal compliance, operational excellence, and strategic success.
The AGC will advise and counsel IJ staff across the organization on a wide range of legal, regulatory, compliance, and contractual matters essential to supporting IJ’s mission. This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned attorney who thrives in a dynamic environment, adapts easily to new challenges, and is committed to fostering strong governance practices within a mission-driven nonprofit.
Key Responsibilities
Legal Counsel
Education
The AGC will advise and counsel IJ staff across the organization on a wide range of legal, regulatory, compliance, and contractual matters essential to supporting IJ’s mission. This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned attorney who thrives in a dynamic environment, adapts easily to new challenges, and is committed to fostering strong governance practices within a mission-driven nonprofit.
Key Responsibilities
Legal Counsel
- Provide day-to-day legal advice on employment and benefits issues, intellectual property, contract interpretation, data and information security, and general risk management.
- Serve as a trusted internal resource for attorneys, managers, and staff navigating legal and operational questions.
- Advise on nonprofit governance and compliance, including IRS rules applicable to 501(c)(3) organizations, charitable solicitation laws, political activity, and lobbying restrictions.
- Ensure IJ’s activities adhere to federal and state registration, reporting, and other regulatory requirements.
- Support staff in evaluating compliance risks related to grants, fundraising practices, advocacy efforts, and multi-state operations.
- Draft, review, and negotiate contracts and agreements, including service agreements, licensing agreements, engagement letters, and (ideally) property or equipment leases.
- Help implement consistent internal contracting processes and templates to promote clarity, efficiency, and legal compliance.
- Develop and update internal policies and procedures to strengthen compliance, governance, and organizational best practices.
- Lead or assist in trainings that promote a culture of integrity, ethical conduct, and legal awareness across the organization.
- Proactively identify potential legal risks and develop strategies to mitigate them in collaboration with IJ leadership and staff.
- Monitor legal trends that could affect nonprofit operations or public-interest organizations.
- Serve as a liaison to outside counsel on specialized issues requiring additional expertise.
- Manage external legal support efficiently while maintaining IJ’s high standards for accuracy, judgment, and mission alignment.
Education
- J.D. from an accredited law school.
- Licensed to practice law with the ability to waive into the Virginia state bar.
- 6–10 years of legal experience.
- Experience advising nonprofit or mission-driven organizations, serving as in-house counsel, or working in a generalist capacity strongly preferred.
- Background in employment law, licensing and contracting, or multi-state compliance is a plus.
- Experience with grants, fundraising regulations, or lobbying and advocacy is desirable but not required.
- Excellent judgment and the ability to balance legal risk with organizational mission and operational needs.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and collaborate effectively with diverse teams.
- A commitment to IJ’s mission of protecting individual liberty and limiting government overreach.
- Hybrid work schedule requiring three in-office days each week, plus four fully remote weeks per year
- Flexible work hours with core hours of 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Smart casual dress code; casual Fridays
- Health, Dental, and Vision insurance (IJ covers 100% of individual premiums)
- Free Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, and Life insurance
- HSA employer contributions
- 401(k) with employer match
- Generous PTO package including a paid personal day, floating and traditional holidays, in addition to vacation and sick leave.
Skills Required
- J.D. from an accredited law school
- Licensed to practice law in Virginia
- 6-10 years of legal experience
- Experience with nonprofit organizations
- Background in employment law or contracting
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The Company
What We Do
The Institute for Justice is a nonprofit, public interest law firm dedicated to ending government abuses of power and securing constitutional rights for all Americans.
