General Counsel

Company Description

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World! Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has turned bold ideas into world‑changing impact advancing science and technology to strengthen U.S. security and promote global stability. Our mission spans four critical national security areas—nuclear deterrence, threat preparedness, energy security, and multi‑domain defense—empowering teams to take on the toughest challenges of today and tomorrow. With a culture built on innovation and operational excellence, LLNL is a place where your expertise can make a real impact.

The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) is a premier U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) national security laboratory, with an annual budget of more than $3 billion. LLNL is managed by Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC (LLNS). The Laboratory’s mission is to enable U.S. security and global stability and resilience by empowering multidisciplinary teams to pursue bold and innovative science and technology.

LLNL is seeking a General Counsel to serve as the senior legal advisor for the Laboratory. As the General Counsel you will be a trusted advisor to the Laboratory’s senior leadership team, provide legal advice and counsel on all matters affecting the Laboratory, lead and manage the Office of General Counsel, and oversee external legal resources. This includes leading, mentoring, and developing a high‑performing legal, compliance, and IP team of about twenty professionals.

You will also provide legal advice and perspective to the LLNS Board of Governors. The General Counsel reports to the Laboratory’s Principal Deputy Director of LLNS. Depending on your assignment, this position may offer a hybrid schedule, blending in‑person and virtual presence. You may have the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week.

• Serve as a strategic leader who can architect transformational organizational change that aligns with LLNL’s mission and leadership priorities.
• Provide proactive risk assessment that leans into operational needs and mission priorities of LLNL and DOE/NNSA.
• Be a catalyst for change with an ability to effectively collaborate with and influence senior management and leadership at all levels of the organization.
• Advise LLNS management and provide practical, strategic, and solution‑oriented advice on a broad range of legal matters.
• Partner with the senior management team to establish strategic priorities, implement policies, and provide oversight and management for the Laboratory.
• Provide legal support to the LLNS Board of Governors as appropriate.
• Provide proactive LLNL executive representation of LLNS to DOE/NNSA.
• Coordinate and lead a team of legal professionals managing a variety of disputes and litigation, employment matters, complex business transactions (e.g., industry and academic consortia, joint ventures, CRADAs), regulatory compliance, intellectual property, technology transfer, and other legal matters.
• Lead the Office of General Counsel, an organization consisting of about twenty attorneys and other legal professionals, including responsibility for budgetary matters, recruitment, retention, and career development.
• Identify, retain, and manage outside counsel, and oversee others who do, to represent LLNS in litigation and to provide specialized legal advice.
• Participate in the development and drafting of policies and procedures, implementing legal and regulatory requirements, and developing and implementing programs to ensure compliance.
• Develop relationships and networks with key stakeholders, such as DOE and NNSA attorneys and leaders at headquarters and the Livermore Field Office, LLNS members and their counsel, local officials, and other attorneys across the DOE/NNSA national laboratory complex.
• Work cooperatively with LLNS member counsel, including keeping designated member counsel apprised of significant legal matters.
• Provide coaching and mentorship to junior attorneys to develop legal skills and judgment.

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q‑level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Jur…