Location: Portland, OR
Position Type: Permanent/full-time
Expected Start Date: Summer 2021
Who we are: The Freshwater Trust (TFT)
is a non-profit leader in watershed analysis, restoration/conservation program
design, and implementation. Our team members are building tools and creating
and testing new solutions that will help to create resiliency in our rivers.
With a mission of preserving and restoring freshwater ecosystems, our approach
is driven by science, data and results (see our Core Values).
With headquarters in Portland, OR,
TFT employs 45+ team members across Oregon, Idaho, Washington and California.
We currently have three physical offices in Portland, Ashland, OR and
Sacramento, CA. Our team members range in background and skillset; teams
include a philanthropy and fundraising team, communications team, science and
analytics team, restoration team, legal team, finance team, and administrative
and systems support.
Who you are: TFT is seeking a
proactive and experienced General Counsel who will apply their knowledge,
managing all legal matters and risks for our innovative organization. The
primary objective of this role is to provide operational, legal and performance
risk management at a strategic level. The General Counsel will be responsible
for examining and drafting business agreements and contracts with outside
parties, may involve intellectual property, and ensuring legal compliance. To
ensure success, the General Counsel needs to have sound knowledge and
understanding of applicable laws and regulations, governance and corporate
structures, and the ability to make prudent legal decisions. Top candidates
will be business-minded, agile, and proactive problem solvers
and team players.
What will you be doing?:
· Provide
expert legal advice on new or existing laws and legal rights that would impact
functionality of the business
· Provide
strategic counseling and legal advice for a variety of organizational
initiatives
· Provide
legal counsel and negotiation of contracts related to technology, including
privacy and data protection, information management, technology outsourcing and
procurement, software licensing, cloud service providers and data/services
hosted by third parties, software development, and data and analytics
· Manage
1-2 direct reports within the legal department, and work closely with
financial, operational, and programmatic staff
· Monitor
and maintain current knowledge of current trends in relevant areas of law and
pursue ongoing professional development to maintain current knowledge on best
practices
· Liaising
with outside counsel as applicable
What is your background
and skillset?:
· Juris
Doctorate degree
· Member
in good standing, of at least one US State Bar and willingness to meet the
requirements of membership in the Oregon State Bar through in-house counsel,
reciprocity, or other avenue. California State Bar membership a plus
· Minimum 7
years of experience with an established law firm or in-house legal department
· Demonstrated
ability to learn business requirements, analyze legal risks, and propose
appropriate solutions at a pace consistent with the organization’s operations ·
· Experience
with the structuring of various types of legal entities
· Experience
with business transactions involving financing and blending of various funding
types (e.g., debt, equity, government subsidies, etc.)
· Experience
advising on legal and business issues that arise as companies scale and grow
· Experience
with government contracting, procurement, and funding
· Familiarity
with nonprofit governance
· Knowledge
related to employment, insurance, corporate compliance, contract drafting and
business law
· Ability
to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with all levels of
staff
Additional skills and experience:
· Experience
working with a board of directors and/ or Board Governance Engagement Committee
· Experience
working as part of an executive team, in a fast-paced work environment
· Intellectual
property
Benefits:
The
Freshwater Trust believes in investing in our employees, their health, and
future through our benefits offerings. Our total rewards package includes
full health and dental coverage, automatic retirement employer contributions,
commuter benefits and cell phone reimbursement. Because we are all in, we
value getting out, and support our staff with 5 weeks of paid time off plus
over 10 paid holidays per year. We also offer perks such as staff
retreats, sabbatical for full time staff after seven years, and professional
development opportunities.
Application Instructions:
Supply a
Cover Letter, Resume, and references into a single PDF not to exceed 5MB.
Submit required information and documentation at: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/941f868e02f243389d4038f188d0850f
