Associate General Counsel

Organization

The Leona M. and Harry

B. Helmsley Charitable Trust (“Helmsley”) is a global philanthropy driven by a vision of building better futures for people by increasing access to healthcare, advancing new research and ideas, and improving the quality of everyday life. Helmsley strives to make a meaningful impact in its focus areas, matching its significant financial assets with a rigorous and results-oriented approach. Helmsley is committed to close and productive partnerships with its grantees, as well as with other funders and impact players in government, academia, and the private sector who share its interests and goals.

Above all, Helmsley endeavors to be forward-thinking in every aspect of its work and will take risks that others cannot or will not take when the risk/reward trade-off warrants.

Since 2008, when Helmsley began its active grantmaking, it has committed more than $4.5 billion. For more information on Helmsley, please visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

The Associate General Counsel will be a key part of a collaborative legal team that supports Helmsley’s philanthropic work and will focus on Helmsley’s contractual arrangements with third parties, including program-related investments and grant making in health-related endeavors and on intellectual property issues. The position includes ongoing work as well as short and long-term projects such as policy development, and research and analysis.

• Review, negotiate, and draft agreements, including but not limited to complex grantmaking and program-related investments (PRIs) involving intellectual property rights.
• Advise on intellectual property issues with respect to grants and PRIs, including detailed review of patent status.
• Troubleshoot issues with staff and assist in finding and implementing effective legal solutions and monitor as needed.
• Assist in developing and delivering training on legal issues.
• Represent Helmsley effectively internally and externally, including with outside counsel.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across Helmsley to develop and support trust-wide initiatives and to advance Helmsley’s overall impact.
• Support and improve Helmsley’s internal processes and systems and implement and communicate changes.
• Special projects and other duties, as assigned.

• Minimum 7-10 years of transactional intellectual property and/or commercial law experience at a major law firm, government agency, and/or in‑house, preferably engaged in advice related to biomedical research and/or tech transfer responsibilities.
• J.D. from an accredited institution; admission to the New York bar is strongly preferred or eligibility to sit for the New York bar exam.
• Demonstrated expertise in several of the core areas of work listed below:
  • Intellectual property, content management, and licensing.
  • Negotiation and drafting of loans, investment deals, and/or program-related investments.
  • Corporate transactional experience, including conducting due diligence, both corporate and IP, for transactions and providing legal support for monitoring of investments.
  • Knowledge regarding tax and other laws applicable to tax exempt organizations including those specific to private foundations.
  • Contract review and contract management and related vendor and risk management review.
  • Policy development and legal advice and support with implementation and training on core organizational policies, including regarding data security and privacy, procurement, and investments.
• Experience advising nonprofit organizations.
• Strong analytical skills and demonstrated ability to understand complex and nuanced legal concepts and analysis and explain such topics to non‑lawyers and create practical processes, guidance, and training.
• Demonstrated excellent research, writing, and verbal communication skills.
• Impeccable integrity and excellent judgment as reflected in a professional record of successfully providing counsel to clients.
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate information needed by others as projects and situations develop; manage multiple demands, and organize time and resources effectively.
• Strong teamwork and…