General Counsel

Summary

Join the Black Futures Lab and Black to the Future Action Fund as their General Counsel! This shared position requires a strategic legal expert with nonprofit and campaign finance law experience. You will manage all legal and compliance matters, advise leadership, and ensure organizational alignment with legal requirements. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in nonprofit and campaign finance law, excellent communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple complex projects. Experience working in Black communities and familiarity with remote work are highly desirable. This is a full-time, remote position offering a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits.

Requirements

• Must have a JD degree from an accredited U.S. law school
• Active bar membership in good standing, preferably in one of the organization’s priority states: North Carolina (NC), Georgia (GA), Wisconsin (WI), Louisiana (LA), or California (CA)
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant legal experience, including 1–2 years specializing in campaign finance or nonprofit tax compliance
• Experience advising on legal issues affecting 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and political action committee (PAC) organizations
• Proven ability to track, lead, and implement multiple complex projects and priorities simultaneously while meeting deadlines
• Expertise in federal and state campaign finance laws, lobbying rules, and tax-exempt organization requirements
• Exceptional precision in drafting, reviewing, and editing legal documents, compliance reports, and contracts
• Superior written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex legal concepts for diverse audiences
• A collaborative team player with the ability to appreciate and incorporate diverse approaches and perspectives
• Ability to balance immediate, real-time legal needs with long-term strategic priorities, ensuring deliverables align with organizational goals
• Demonstrated ability to build strong partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders, including staff, scholars, consultants, and coalition members
• A commitment to and alignment with the organization’s mission and approach, as well as a deep understanding of the legal needs of a social justice-focused organization
• Skilled in meeting facilitation and navigating intra-state and coalition dynamics with tact and diplomacy
• Proven ability to engage with a variety of partners, ensuring inclusive collaboration in legal technical assistance and strategy development
• Ability to apply detailed legal acumen to provide strategic legal assistance, manage BFL’s legal portfolio, and address complex regulatory requirements
• Expertise in developing internal policies and guidance for nonprofit organizations and related entities
• Familiarity with compliance reporting platforms and tools for campaign finance and tax filings

Responsibilities

• Serve as the central point of contact for all legal matters related to the organization’s operations and affiliated entities
• Ensure compliance with nonprofit tax law, campaign finance regulations, federal and state lobbying rules, employment laws, and internal governance policies
• Provide strategic legal advice to the organization’s Board, officers, and on critical legal and regulatory matters
• Conduct thorough legal reviews of canvassing literature, scripts, mailers, digital ads, and other voter outreach materials to ensure adherence to Federal Election Commission (FEC), state agency regulations, and U.S Treasury regulations, where applicable
• Draft, negotiate, and finalize contracts, grant agreements, and other legal documents to support organizational operations
• Oversee the review and approval of agreements in collaboration with outside counsel, ensuring terms align with the organization’s interests and legal standards
• Prepare and update internal policies, memoranda, and guidance documents related to entity registration, campaign finance reporting, disclaimer requirements, and document retention protocols
• Work with senior staff and compliance consultants to ensure accurate and timely public reporting of financial activities, including receipts, contributions, disbursements, and independent expenditures, as required by the FEC and state campaign finance agencies
• Monitor compliance with tax laws for nonprofit entities, tracking activities relevant to lobbying, public education, and political spending for 501(c)(4) and 501(c)(3) organizations
• Assist the Finance Director, accountants, and outside counsel in preparing and submitting tax filings, including Form 990 and other required documents
• Serve as the liaison for outside legal counsel on matters related to organizational operations, ensuring cost-effectiveness and alignment with organizational goals
• Advise Field Directors, Political Directors, and State Managers on compliance with tax laws and budget tracking, particularly for activities spanning grassroots lobbying, education campaigns, and political spending
• Evaluate and approve receipts and contributions to and from external entities to ensure compliance with campaign finance and tax laws
• Work closely with human resources personnel and outside counsel on employment matters, including composing position statements, advising on investigations, and developing workplace policies
• Design and deliver legal training sessions for staff, with a focus on federal and state campaign finance laws, lobbying regulations, and other relevant legal topics
• Collaborate with HR to draft or revise employment policies to ensure compliance with applicable laws and support organizational culture
• Identify potential legal risks and provide proactive solutions to safeguard the organization and its related entities
• Support governance efforts by ensuring proper documentation, adherence to bylaws, and compliance with all relevant corporate governance standards
• Oversee the legal aspects of grant management, including drafting, reviewing, and negotiating grant agreements with external organizations

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with and/or knowledge of the unique cultural experience of running operations in a fully remote environment including experience working remotely across time zones

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life insurance
• Employee assistance
• Other resources to support a centered, healthy quality of life for staff and their families
• Salary range: $145,000-$175,000