Senior Legal Advisor

The Charity & Security Network (C&SN) is a resource and advocacy center that works at the intersection of nonprofit rights and national security laws and policies. Launched in 2009 in response to expanding counter terrorism measures, we are focused on protecting the operating environment for civil society and ending the misuse and weaponization of national security and counterterror measures targeting civil society.

As restrictions on civil society increase, C&SN documents the latest methods of targeting, convenes nonprofits across substantive and geographic areas, and leads advocacy aimed towards establishing legal and policy frameworks that respect the rights of nonprofit organizations (NPOs) to conduct their essential programs. C&SN’s network is made up of over 200 organizational members across dozens of countries, including: lawyers, nonprofit professionals, human rights defenders, and civil society members across the globe.

Project Description

U.S. civil society is experiencing regular targeted attacks from those who hold political power. Nonprofits are increasingly at risk as strident conservatives in the executive and legislative branches implement an agenda of retribution against perceived opponents. Nonprofits have and will continue to face targeting under new legislation and litigation, accusations and reputational damage, risks of suspension of their 501(c)(3) status, as well as freezing of assets and even possible criminal cases against individual staff members and organizations.

C&SN’s Civil Society Rights & Resiliency Project (CSRRP) was formed to push back against these existential threats. A rapid-response and systemic effort, CSRRP is designed to fight the weaponization of counterterror laws to shrink civic space and build a resilient and coordinated civil society to respond to these attacks going forward.

As a convener, community builder, and resource center, the Project equips, protects, and supports the U.S. nonprofit sector. The Project provides expertise on legal tools being used to target civil society and how best to prepare for and respond to accusations and official proceedings from Congress and the administration. We leverage our knowledge and experience on topics like IRS regulations, Treasury and State Department terrorism laws and designations, the Antiterrorism Act (ATA), the False Claims Act (FCA), the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), and related rules and regulations.

C&SN seeks a highly skilled and motivated attorney with expertise in civil litigation, administrative law, tax law, and U.S. nonprofit law to lead on legal issue areas, including but not limited to the Civil Society Rights & Resiliency Project. Reporting to the Managing Director, the Attorney will play a key role in developing and implementing legal strategies and resources to protect and defend the nonprofit sector.

The attorney will work closely with the CSRRP Project Officer to develop rapid-response resources for the sector in the wake of new and challenging obstacles to civil society work in the United States. The attorney will also work closely with other members of C&SN’s legal and policy team on C&SN’s broader work including lawfare, material support, financial access, sanctions, and the global counter‑terrorism architecture.

The attorney may oversee interns, fellows, and relationships with law school clinics as needed.

The Senior Legal Advisor is a full‑time (40 hours/workweek), regular, and overtime‑exempt position. The SLA will receive an annualized salary of $94,000. Through C&SN’s fiscal sponsor, NEO Philanthropy, this position is offered a generous full benefit package, including 100% medical coverage for the employee and 90% medical coverage for dependents; 100% coverage for vision, dental, life/AD&D, and long‑term disability. NEO also administers a 401K retirement savings plan, Healthcare Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA), Medical FSA, Dependent Care FSA, commuter benefits, Employee Assistance Program, other supplemental benefits, and generous paid time off options including vacation time.

• Legal Trainings & Action Strategies:
  Develop and conduct…