The SPLC is seeking an Associate General Counsel committed to comprehensive justice reform!

Reporting to the Senior Deputy General Counsel, the Associate General Counsel is primarily responsible for advising and counseling on the legal aspects of labor and employee relations matters involving the Southern Poverty Law Center, and generally responsible for providing ancillary legal counsel and guidance to SPLC management to ensure maximum protection of the organization’s legal rights and that operations are fully compliant with the law.

Who You Are

Experienced. Possessing demonstrated legal experience and knowledge in a broad range of legal disciplines, including labor and employment law and general corporate compliance.

Communicative. Have ability to communicate effectively and persuasively both verbally and in writing.

Honorable. Ethical, accountable, unflappable, and possessing the commitment to act with integrity and empathy in all situations

Driven. Have ability to learn internal policies quickly and thrive in a fast paced, multi-disciplined,  and high energy environment.

Collaborator. Have ability to work collaboratively and efficiently with variety of internal and external partners.

Mission, Vision & Culture Alignment. Possess a demonstrated awareness for SPLC's mission and vision; and a commitment to ideals of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion and fostering an anti-racist work culture and antiracist principles and learning.

What You'll Do

Advise management and Human Resources teams on laws and policies related to all operations of the organization, with a particular focus on labor and employment matters, including bargaining, contract interpretation, investigations, grievances, information requests, mediations, hearings, and arbitrations, and with particular attention to formulating, determining, and effecting labor relations policies.

Analyze legal or compliance issues and concerns addressed to the Office of General Counsel, including those of a sensitive or confidential nature, with diligence and thoroughness; determine appropriate course of action, referral, or response.

Serve as a primary liaison between the Office of General Counsel and Labor and Employee Relations team on matters requiring legal review or other attention, and provide a bridge for effective communication and information-sharing between departments by listening, taking initiative, exercising self-discipline, and working collaboratively and efficiently.  

Develop and review organizational policies and third-party and vendor contracts; assist with contract management and facilitation of legal review standards for organization’s contractual engagements.

Support the Senior Deputy General Counsel and General Counsel in their day-to-day duties and with other legal tasks as assigned, including corporate governance and regulatory compliance, and training staff on certain topics.

Uphold legal and other professional standards of ethics, and adhere to and promote adherence among others to all rules and laws governing professional responsibility. 

Prioritize the protection of SPLC in all legal affairs and decision-making.

Perform other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties in this job classification.

Commitment to SPLC’s JEDI principles and fostering an anti-racist work culture and to anti-racist principles and learning.

Minimum Qualifications 

• J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• At least six (6) years of experience practicing law in private or public sectors, with a majority of substantive experience in labor and employment law, and with a preference for experience as in-house counsel and/or in management defense;
• In-depth experience in labor and employment law;
• Working knowledge of laws regulating and concerning tax-exempt organizations and interaction between 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations;
• Ability to act as a trusted advisor, communicate clearly, exercise sound judgment, act with diligence, and execute on tasks related to legal compliance;
• Familiarity with reviewing, negotiating, and interpreting contractual agreements;
• Strong organizational, research, and communication skills and ability to learn and adapt in a fast-paced and multi-focused work environment; and
• Membership in good standing of at least one state bar in the United States, preferably Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, or Washington, D.C.

Compensation & Benefits

This is an exempt role and the minimum starting salary is $148,500.00 annually. Salary will be commensurate with experience.

Click here to view the benefits available to SPLC staff.

Where & How You'll Work 

This role has the following work designation options:

• Local Remote: Will work remotely, but is expected to attend work-related activities that occur at the SPLC offices in Georgia, Alabama, or Louisiana.  Domestic travel is required.
• Telework: Will work at an SPLC office at least three days per week and may work two days per week from an alternative work location.  Domestic travel is required.
• This position will report to the Senior Deputy General Counsel.

Other Special Considerations 

This job is performed under general office conditions and is not subject to any strenuous physical demands or dangerous conditions.