General Counsel

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Regular Full-Time Senior Management Kentucky - Main, Lexington, KY, US

4 days ago Requisition

JOB

SUMMARY:

The General Counsel serves as the Federation’s chief legal officer, leads the legal function, and acts as a strategic advisor to the Chief Executive Officer, Board of Directors, and senior leadership team. The role provides independent, practical, and mission-aligned legal counsel across governance, regulatory compliance, athlete safety, disputes, contracts, risk management, employment matters, commercial transactions, intellectual property, insurance, and organizational policy.

The General Counsel balances legal rigor with sound business judgment, stakeholder sensitivity, and a deep commitment to fairness, transparency, athlete and horse welfare, and the integrity of sport.

• Serve as the organization’s primary legal advisor and provide timely, practical guidance on legal, regulatory, governance, and operational matters.
• Advise the CEO, Board of Directors, committees, councils, and senior staff on fiduciary duties, conflicts of interest, decision‑making processes, risk mitigation, and organizational policy.
• Anticipate legal and reputational risks and recommend proactive strategies that protect the organization, its members, athletes, officials, licensed professionals, competitions, sponsors, and other stakeholders.
• Translate complex legal issues into clear, actionable guidance for non‑lawyer audiences.

• Oversee compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, nonprofit requirements, corporate governance standards, and sport‑governance obligations.
• Advise on bylaws, rules, policies, committee charters, election procedures, grievance processes, conflict‑of‑interest matters, and governance reforms.
• Oversee compliance with requirements applicable to national governing bodies, including obligations arising within the Olympic and Paralympic movement and requirements concerning athlete representation and rights, governance, transparency, reporting, audits, due process, and organizational accountability.
• Maintain and update governing documents, policies, and procedures to reflect legal developments, recognized governance practices, applicable regulatory requirements, and the organization’s strategic priorities; support constructive relationships with governmental, sport‑governance, and regulatory bodies as appropriate.
• Serve as liaison to Audit Committee, Ethics Committee, Governance Committee, Nominating Committee

• Advise on athlete safety, safeguarding, Safe Sport‑related compliance, misconduct reporting, anti‑retaliation obligations, eligibility, disciplinary matters, hearing procedures, and the allocation and coordination of responsibilities among the Federation and other bodies with applicable jurisdiction.
• Support policies and practices that promote safe, fair, and respectful sport environments for athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, staff, and participants.
• Advise on issues affecting equine welfare, competition safety, medication control, testing and enforcement, biosecurity, veterinary‑related regulation, and the ethical treatment of horses in sport.
• Partner with operations, sport, compliance, and competition teams to ensure rules and enforcement processes are clear, consistent,…