General Counsel

Position: General Counsel

Department: Office of the CEO

Office Location: The ideal candidate is located in any of the following states or major metropolitan areas where Lambda Legal has an office:
New York, NY (Headquarters);
Atlanta, GA (Southern);
Dallas, TX (South Central);
Chicago, IL (Midwest);
Los Angeles, CA (Western); or Washington, D.C.

Work Type Designation: Hybrid

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Union Status and Grade: Non-union

Salary Range: $215,000 - $240,000 annually. The salary for this role will be determined by a candidate's years of relevant experience related to the position, as well as their geographic region.

Travel: Up to 10%

FLSA Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Who We Are

Lambda Legal is a national advocacy organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights for the LGBTQ+ community and everyone living with HIV through impact litigation, education, and public policy work. Since 1973, Lambda Legal has used impact litigation and other advocacy tools to decriminalize same-sex relationships; challenge discrimination against LGBTQ+ people and people living with HIV in the workplace, in the home, in schools, in health care, and in the military;

and protect LGBTQ+ families, including by winning and defending marriage equality. Our clients are not charged for legal representation or advocacy and Lambda Legal receives no government funding. Headquartered in New York City, Lambda Legal also has regional offices in Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, and Washington, DC.

We believe that serving the full breadth of the LGBTQ+ and HIV communities requires cultural competency and enthusiasm for diversity of all kinds. To be successful, we must approach our work with an understanding that discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or HIV status is not the only obstacle to achieving full formal and lived equality for LGBTQ+ people and everyone living with HIV;

rather, we recognize the intersectional nature of discrimination, specifically including biases based on race, religion, national origin, gender, disability, education, and class. Considering this reality, we prioritize a proactive commitment to counteracting these biases and their compounding effects in the work we do, but also in how we work together as an organization.

General Counsel

The General Counsel serves as the organization's chief legal advisor, providing strategic, practical counsel across all programs, activities, and operations. This role oversees legal compliance, employment and labor law matters, enterprise risk management, contract negotiations, and board governance. The General Counsel ensures adherence to all federal, state, and local laws governing 501(c)(3) organizations and serves as a key partner to the CEO and Board.

The role will also build and manage a strong network of outside counsel and experts to support the organization's legal and compliance infrastructure.

What You'll Do

Corporate Legal Strategy & Counsel

• Serve as the organization's chief legal advisor, providing timely, practical guidance to the CEO, Executive Team, and program leads.

• Advise on governance, compliance, enterprise risk, and nonprofit regulations.

• Anticipate and mitigate legal risks that could affect operations, reputation, or mission delivery.

• Provide guidance on legal ethics, privilege, and professional responsibility.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including 501(c)(3) regulations.

• Build and maintain policies, procedures, and internal systems to manage risk and uphold ethical standards.

• Lead internal training and initiatives to foster a culture of compliance and accountability.

Employment & Labor Law

• Advise on employment and labor matters, including hiring, discipline, terminations, and investigations.

• Partner with People & Culture on policy development, labor relations, and workplace compliance.

• Stay current on evolving employment regulations to proactively guide organizational practice.

Contracts & External Counsel Management

• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts including vendor, co-counsel, expert, and partnership agreements.

• Build and manage relationships with outside counsel and subject-matter experts, ensuring high-quality, cost-effective legal services.

• Manage the contract life cycle to streamline contract and vendor management across the organization.

Governance & Board Relations

• Serve as Corporate Secretary to the Board and provide legal support for all governance activities.

• Maintain governance records, prepare Board resolutions, and oversee conflicts of interest disclosures.

• Ensure compliance with nonprofit corporate law, bylaws, and Board policies.

Who You Are

Minimum Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree and admission to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.

• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience practicing or advising in matters related to employment and labor law.

• Sound legal and strategic judgment with…