Job Summary

The General Counsel of Amnesty International USA (AlUSA) reports to the Chief Operating Officer and serves as the legal counsel to the organization's leadership. The General Counsel is an expert on employment law and laws affecting non-profit advocacy organizations and will partner with Amnesty's senior leadership to develop a strong legal framework in support of our organizational effectiveness, innovation, compliance and risk mitigation. The General Counsel proactively supports the Executive Director and the Board of Directors in relationships and collaboration with the global organization, Amnesty International (Al), and external partners. 

The General Counsel also advises organizational leadership on governance issues, handles all staff union concerns, and manages other projects as assigned. This position handles confidential and sensitive matters and is not covered under the collective bargaining agreement.

Essential Responsibilities

Legal Strategy & Leadership

• Serve as chief legal advisor, shaping organizational legal vision and enabling growth, innovation, risk mitigation, and compliance for all activities
• Counsel Executive Director, COO, and Board on legal matters affecting nonprofit advocacy and international human rights operations, ensuring strategic alignment and minimal risk
• Develop clear legal frameworks, best practice policies, and compliance systems that protect organization’s standing and support achievement of our mission and goals
• Advise the Board of Directors, Committees of the Corporation, staff and members on internal rules, Codes of Conduct, and guidelines, including AIUSA’s Bylaws, and AIUSA’s compliance with rules and guidelines issues by Amnesty International’s global movement
• Manage budgets for the organization’s legal actions, including costs associated with recruiting outside counsel and vendors to manage and mitigate risks

Governance, Compliance, Security & Risk Management 

• Oversee all legal compliance for 501(c)(3) and related entities, regularly advise executive leadership on compliance risks and emerging legal trends
• Lead risk management for AIUSA including identification of threats, development and implementation of mitigation strategies, and proactive response to activism- and status-related risks; manage and update AIUSA’s risk register
• Guide board and senior leadership on governance, law, and ethics, serve as confidentiality and contract authority, and chair the Ethics Committee
• Develop security protocols for major organizational events, international travel by staff and Board members, and that protect the organization's personnel and premises
• Coordinate with Amnesty International Secretariat and Regional Offices to update security protocols
• Manages and advises senior leaders on security protocols for AIUSA; communicate with and advise staff, Board, and members on security concerns

Employment, Labor & Contracts

• Serve as lead counsel for all staff/union labor matters and organizational negotiations, advising on employment law and labor contracts, representing management in committees and bargaining
• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, major agreements, and confidentiality pacts; oversee processes to ensure legal accuracy and strategic protection in all partnerships and operations
• Represent AIUSA in litigation and regulatory matters, manage and coordinate outside counsel as needed

External Relations & Legal Innovation

• Lead legal research, maintain up-to-date understanding of evolving laws and regulations relevant to advocacy and nonprofit sectors, communicate implications to decision-makers
• Foster collaborative relationships with AI sections, the International Secretariat, and partners to align legal strategy and promote regulatory excellence
• Drive or pilot new legal initiatives and frameworks as requested by Executive Director or COO to capture opportunities and advance mission impact
• Establish and strengthen relationships with outside counsel (pro bono, market or reduced fee) to best protect AIUSA from risk and establish and maintain effective partnerships with other organizations; coordinate with internal policy teams and external counsel to support and file amicus briefs that align with the organization's human rights advocacy priorities
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications and Experience

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Strategic legal vision and resource allocation expertise with ability to set organizational legal priorities while ensuring systems are in place for sustainable operations
• Advanced legal innovation and problem-solving capabilities with demonstrated ability to lead complex organizational challenges
• Knowledge of New York Not-For-Profit Corporation Law (N-PCL) 
• Proven ability to define organizational legal compliance vision while building comprehensive systems for long-term risk management and regulatory adaptability
• Strategic vision to lead governance strategies at global level, foster stakeholder alignment, and advance innovative legal practices that enhance organizational impact and credibility while representing AIUSA at highest levels
• Excellent communicator with strong written, verbal, and presentation skills?
• Excellent team, project and budget management skills
• Proven ability to embed inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA) best practices into both strategy and operations

Education and Experience

• J.D. from a U.S. accredited law school and applicable state license is required with 10 years of legal experience; Bar membership should be in good standing 
• Experience in interpreting legal implications of executive orders, presidential memorandums, congressional investigations directed at non-profit organizations at the federal level and/or their equivalents at the state level a plus
• Experience in working with outside legal counsel on managing risks a plus
• Experience in providing legal counsel and leadership to non-profit advocacy organizations; experience in human rights or international organizations a plus
• Expert-level proficiency in federal and local employment and labor law required
• Proficient in legal research and analysis
• Demonstrated ability to provide sound legal advice on complex matters
• High ethical standards and professional integrity
• Analytic and decisive decision maker with the ability to prioritize and communicate to staff key objectives and tactics necessary to achieve organizational goals