Senior Legal Advisor

Position description

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 counterterrorism 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:

• 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.

Position Summary:

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.

Responsibilities:

• Legal Trainings & Action Strategies:Develop and conduct legal training clinics for nonprofits and pro bono attorneys. Develop and execute local/state action strategies and trainings.
• Legal Analysis:Work with the legal team to provide legal analysis of policy developments and their potential impact on U.S. civil society organizations to C&SN and member organizations. Monitor legislative and regulatory changes relevant to the nonprofit sector.
• Legal Resource Development:Develop legal resources, including fact sheets, guides, and templates, for nonprofits to comply with rapidly changing U.S. policy and legal developments.
• Partnership Development:Lead ad hoc calls on behalf of C&SN to support network members and partners in response to policy developments. Collaborate with partner organizations and legal networks. Provide legal support to the CSRRP Project Officer and other team members in planning and facilitating rapid response convenings, in-person convenings, and webinars for knowledge and resource sharing.
• Compliance:Educating and providing resources around relevant laws and regulations, including those related to lobbying, charitable solicitation, and fundraising.

Qualifications

Applicants who meet some, but not all, qualifications or have relevant lived experience are encouraged to apply.

• Understanding of and belief in C&SN’s mission and mandate.
• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
• 7+ years of legal experience.
• Admission to a state bar.
• Expertise in civil, administrative, tax, and U.S. nonprofit operations law, including familiarity with 501(c)(3), (c)(4), and other exempt organizations.
• Experience in civil litigation, particularly litigation affecting nonprofits.
• Familiarity with counter-terrorism laws, the Anti-Terrorism Act, the False Claims Act, and civil and administrative laws abused and weaponized by private actors to target nonprofits.
• Strong understanding of the legal and policy challenges facing the U.S. nonprofit sector.
• Experience in developing and conducting legal trainings for nonprofits.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including internal and external communication and presentation.
• Exhibit exceptional attention to detail with the ability to draft, review, and edit large documents.
• Proficiency and comfort in facilitating in-person and virtual meetings using Zoom and other platforms.
• Experience in leading coalition calls and meetings.
• Fluency with the Microsoft Office suite, cloud-based document management software, and online project management tools, including G-Suite and Google Workplace.
• Cultural sensitivity and emotional intelligence to engage a wide array of stakeholders.
• Proactive and highly motivated self-starter with the ability to effectively problem solve and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Quick learner and able to remain flexible. Able to work with a remote team of colleagues with humor, grace, and kindness.
• Experience in legislative advocacy.

The position requires candidates to have U.S. work authorization.

Preference for this hybrid position will be given to candidates residing in the DMV area who can attend meetings and events in person at least one day per week. Occasional domestic travel may be required as needed once or twice per quarter.

Application instructions

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