Deputy General Counsel at Southern Poverty Law Center

Summary:

Reporting to the General Counsel, the Deputy General Counsel - Compliance provides legal counsel and guidance to the leadership of the Southern Poverty Law Center to ensure maximum protection of the organization’s legal rights and that operations are fully compliant with the law. The Deputy General Counsel will be responsible for providing legal and strategic advice to the SPLC, the Action Fund, and its 527 organizations on a wide variety of matters, including contracts, governance, federal and state regulatory requirements, intellectual property, federal, state, and local campaign finance laws, and first amendment and associated issues related to carrying out the mission of the SPLC.

The Organization:

The SPLC is a catalyst for racial justice in the South and beyond, working in partnership with communities to dismantle white supremacy, strengthen intersectional movements, and advance the human rights of all people As W.E.B. Dubois noted, “as the South goes, so goes the nation.” The SPLC chooses to focus on bringing racial justice in the Deep South in order to eradicate institutional racism across the country.

The SPLC identifies four key areas of impact that will lead to transformation in the South and beyond: eradicating poverty, decriminalizing and decarcerating black and brown people, protecting voting rights and civic participation, and eliminating white nationalism. Our strategies include litigation, education, research and documentation, and policy advocacy. SPLC also built and maintains the Civil Rights Memorial and its interpretive center, the Civil Rights Memorial Center, in Montgomery, Alabama, the birthplace of the modern civil rights movement.

To expand its capabilities to bring about change in its impact areas, the SPLC has a 501(c)(4)-affiliate organization, the SPLC Action Fund, and the Action Fund has formed a federal non-connected PAC and federal independent expenditure committee. These organizations conduct policy work and electioneering at all levels of government.

Primary Job Functions:
• Assist the General Counsel with corporate governance matters for the 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and 527 organizations;
• Ensure all entities operate in compliance with applicable laws, standards, and practices, including federal and state campaign finance laws, lobbying disclosure requirements, gifts and ethics rules, and tax laws governing exempt organizations;
• Provide regular advice and counsel to staff on programs, and review outward-facing materials related to the political activity of the 501(c)(4) and 527 organizations — including advertisements, fundraising materials, and other public messaging — to ensure compliance with all applicable tax and campaign finance laws;
• Advise on best practices for resource-sharing and expensing of work between the 501(c)(4) and 527 organizations to ensure compliance with all applicable tax and campaign finance laws;
• Develop and deliver guidelines, trainings, and toolkits for staff and volunteers regarding lobbying and political campaign activities, intellectual property, nonprofit tax law, and other issues relevant to exempt organizations;
• Draft and negotiate agreements, including grants and consulting agreements, particularly as related to electoral programs;
• Assist with reviewing and approving contracts and agreement terms with outside entities and developing processes and systems to organize and track contract creation and renewals;
• Render legal advice in all areas of general law, including procurement, data privacy and security, intellectual property, media law, insurance, and fiscal and regulatory matters;
• Maintain the highest level of professional and ethical standards, acting in compliance with both the letter and spirit of applicable laws and regulations;
• Assist with overseeing litigation and dispute resolution filed against the organization(s);
• Act as a liaison with outside counsel and advisors;
• Assist with managing legal services (including pro bono services) provided by outside counsel and technical consultants. Act as liaison with outside counsel and advisors;
• Communicate directly, and on behalf of the General Counsel, with Board members, donors, and others on matters related to the governance and activities of the 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and 527 organizations;
• Act as an active and visible sponsor of SPLC’s commitment to safeguarding diversity, equity, and inclusion;
• Work with communications and development departments to ensure communication strategies are compliant with applicable federal and state laws, including data privacy;
• Research, prioritize, and follow up on incoming issues and concerns addressed to the General Counsel, including those of a sensitive or confidential nature. Determine appropriate course of action, referral, or response;
• Provide a bridge for smooth communication between the General Counsel and internal departments; demonstrating leadership to maintain credibility, trust, and support with all staff; and
• Other duties assigned.

Work Designation:

This role has the following work designation options:
• Distant Remote: Will work remotely and are not expected to work in the states in which the SPLC has an office or in an SPLC office. They may be required to attend occasional meetings or activities in the states in which the SPLC has an office or elsewhere.
• Local Remote: Will work remotely but is expected to attend work-related activities that occur at the SPLC offices or in the states in which the SPLC operates.
• 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.

Qualifications – Education and Related Work Experience:
• Juris Doctorate Degree;
• At least ten years of legal experience;
• Knowledge of non-profit corporate and tax matters and campaign finance laws;
• In-depth knowledge of and experience drafting and negotiating contracts and agreements;
• Demonstrated knowledge in broad range of general legal principles, including regulatory and compliance;
• Experience assisting with preparation of Forms 990 and campaign finance reports;
• Experience with non-profit, media law, and privacy and security law a plus;
• Excellent legal research and writing skills; and
• Excellent oral and written communications skills.

Knowledge, skills and abilities:
• Strong attention to detail;
• Unquestioned ethical and moral compass;
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic and high-energy environment;
• Initiative, perseverance, discipline and ability to work collaboratively and efficiently;
• Strong organizational skills, follow-through and flexibility around changing priorities and deadlines;
• Commitment to and empathy for ideals of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion; and
• Commitment to fostering an anti-racist work culture and to anti-racist principles and learning.

Other Special Considerations:

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

Disclaimer:

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. These statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of a person in this position.

An Equal-Opportunity Employer with a Commitment to Diversity

Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and as an organization committed to diversity and the perspective of all voices, we consider applicants equally of race, gender, gender identity, color, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, disability, political affiliation, national origin, or prior record of arrest or conviction.

]]>