Legal Counsel

• Hybrid preferred; remote candidates will be considered, Flexible

The Trust for Public Land (TPL) is the leader of a movement to connect everyonein Americato the outdoors. A national nonprofit, TPL partners with communities to create high-quality parks and protect public lands—especially in communities that need them most—to improve public health, create social cohesion, strengthen historic and cultural connection to place, and increase climate resilience. Since 1972, TPL has protected more than 4 million acres of public land, created more than 5,500 parks, trails, schoolyards, and iconic outdoor places, generated over $112 billion in public funding for parks and public lands, and connected nearly 10 million people to the outdoors.

To learn more, visit tpl.org.

Working as part of a team of attorneys and legal assistants, this position will provide legal support to advance The Trust for Public Land’s field programs, primarily in the States of California and Hawaii – acquiring, creating and improving parks, trails, community schoolyards and public lands. Primary responsibilities are working with staff to structure, document, and complete parks and conservation projects and transactions that are legally sound and consistent with The Trust for Public Land’s mission, authority, policies and procedures.

• Assists project/program staff in designing, negotiating and completing parks- and conservation-related projects and transactions.
• Drafts and reviews land transaction documents such as purchase & sale agreements, option agreements, donation agreements, professional services agreements, restrictive use easements, conservation easements and other documents for implementation of land protection transactions, including due diligence contracts and closing documents.
• Drafts and reviews MOU’s, RFP’s, and other procurement packages, grant proposals and agreements, design and construction contracts, contracts with public agencies and ensures that these documents are in accordance with laws, existing agreements, public policy, and internal policies and protocols.
• Participates with staff in landowner, stakeholder, consultant, and public agency negotiations.
• Advises and assists staff on all project- and transaction-related issues, including delays, variations, defects, insurance, bond claims, post-completion administration, real estate closings, and property management.
• Advises and assists with other mission-related legal issues as needed and desired.

• Strong commitment to TPL’s shared values (Belonging, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Hope) and mission to effectively work across the organization.
• Admission to California state bar, and 3+ years in practice.
• Minimum of 3 years applicable experience in the following areas:
  • Experience advising clients to meet business objectives and develop practical solutions within defined policies and practices in a manner that appropriately manages legal risk and advances the organization’s mission.
• Aptitude for independent work, exercising good judgment within broadly defined policies and practices.
• Ability to draft quality legal documents quickly, and to respond promptly and helpfully to the needs of project/program staff.
• Sense of humor and composure when dealing with project/program staff of diverse personalities and work styles.
• Ability to change the thinking of, or gain acceptance of, others in sensitive situations, both within and outside the organization.
• Ability to anticipate problems and identify probable issues of concern in advance.
• Results ‑ oriented and creative in problem ‑ solving.
• Comfortable working in multiple jurisdictions and managing multiple projects in a decentralized environment.
• Excelle…