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.
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
Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) is the global organization’s presence in the United States. We engage people in the U.S. to fight injustice all around the world, while we also work to protect people’s human rights here in the U.S. Amnesty International USA has more than one million members and activists in all 50 states, who are part of a larger global movement of 10 million people in 150 countries. We are a democratically governed, grassroots membership organization, which means that our members vote on key policy issues and elect our Board of Directors. Amnesty International USA’s elected Board members, staff, and members work together to lead the organization.
