General Counsel - America Votes

Organization Overview

America Votes works with over 400 state and national partner organizations to advance progressive policies, win elections, and protect every American's right to vote.

Since 2003, America Votes has been the common link between many of the largest and most influential issue and membership organizations in the country, serving as the coordination hub of the progressive community. America Votes' work has brought together a wide range of causes and built a unified coalition that has transformed how the progressive community works. Together, they have engaged communities across the country to act on critical issues - from fighting for working families, to defending reproductive freedom, to protecting the environment, and more - and mobilized millions of voters to turn out on Election Day.

America Votes works year-round nationally and in more than 20 states, acting as permanent campaign infrastructure to continually advance progressive causes and win elections. America Votes provides a range of services to partners, including strategic planning, advocacy and electoral campaign coordination, data tools and targeting services, and on-the-ground leadership in states.

America Votes also works to improve election systems and fight back against efforts to suppress voters, taking the lead throughout their state network to coordinate and execute advocacy campaigns with allies to reform elections and modernize the voting process.

Racial Equity Statement

As a leader of collaborative efforts to mobilize voters, protect voting rights, and win elections, America Votes is committed to advancing racial equity within our organization and across our coalition. We acknowledge the systematic racism that permeates all facets of our society, beginning with the foundational right to vote. America Votes is also engaging with an understanding of the ways gender, sexuality, and other forms of oppression intersect with race and how those relationships impact inequities faced by our staff, our partners, and the communities that we engage in our work. America Votes strives to model our commitment to racial equity through our internal and external operations, programs, and partnerships. We acknowledge the inequitable structures that continue to exist and are moving forward with a sustained commitment in time, resources and people to challenge structural racism and work towards creating a reflective organization and democracy.

Position Description

America Votes is seeking an experienced and committed General Counsel to serve as the lead attorney for the 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization and its affiliated entities.

The General Counsel is responsible for ensuring compliance with and minimizing risk and liability under all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the General Counsel provides legal advice and counsel to the President, Executive Director, Chief Operating Officer, and staff in a variety of matters, most significantly political and electoral work and communications as well as employment and labor matters.

The General Counsel should be adept at balancing legal integrity with the strategic flexibility required to advance progressive causes and win elections.

This is an incredible opportunity to play a key role at one of the country's most impactful electoral organizations.

Responsibilities

• Ensure that America Votes and all affiliated entities are complying with federal, state and local candidate election law.
• Advise America Votes on legal issues including maintaining its legal and fiscal integrity, including the guidance on the allocation of activities between entities.
• Review organizational contracts, negotiate or renegotiate contract provisions, and draft contracts for consultants and partnerships.
• Liaison with external legal firms on key issues.
• Consult with outside accounting firms and review all necessary reports, including to the FEC, the House and Senate, and state and local agencies.
• Serve as the point of contact for national and state staff on potential legal issues, activities, and compliance issues.
• Serve as counsel on organizational HR needs.
• Stay up-to-date with all campaign finance and non-profit organizational regulations, issues, and activities at the federal and state level.
• Provide all staff with legal guidelines and review materials for programmatic work.
• Work with compliance staff to review filing of all campaign finance reports, lobbyist and other filings at the federal and state level.
• Partner with the key staff to advise the grant program and ensure appropriate procedures are followed during applications, contributions, and reporting.
• Conduct legal trainings, including new hire orientation.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school; admission to DC bar or willingness to attain within 6 months is required.
• 6+ years' of experience in election law, nonprofit law, or a related field, with expertise in political action and advocacy for progressive causes.
• In-depth knowledge of 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) regulations, FEC guidelines, and campaign finance law.
• Proven experience advising or working within politically active organizations, advocacy groups, or campaigns.
• Ability to balance legal compliance with an understanding of the urgency and creativity required in high-stakes political work.
• Strong analytical skills and risk-neutral judgment, able to identify innovative solutions to legal challenges in political contexts.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with non-attorneys on solution-oriented approaches to issues.
• Must be highly organized, detail-oriented and able to handle multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Flexibility with work schedule; this position does require regular evening and weekend work.
• Ability to manage confidential information with sound judgment, discretion and tact.
• Deep commitment to racial and social justice and strengthening democracy.

Location

Washington, DC is the preferred location for this role; outstanding candidates from Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin may be considered. Staff in the DC area work a hybrid schedule and are typically in the office several days a week.

Compensation

The salary for this position is $155,000-$165,000.

America Votes offers a competitive benefits package covering 100% of employee medical, dental, & vision insurance premiums, life insurance, long term disability coverage, a monthly cell phone stipend, personal professional development funds, parental leave, and 401 (K) after four months of continuous service with the organization.

America Votes provides a generous paid time off policy including paid vacation; paid sick leave and personal days; at least 10 Federal paid holidays including Juneteenth; and paid organizational time off from at least December 25 to January 1.

To Apply

To apply, submit a cover letter and resume online at https://grossmansolutions.com/jobs/. The cover letter should be concise, compelling, and outline the specific ways in which you would be a good fit for this position. America Votes sees its commitment to racial equity as an integral part of its success. Applicants are encouraged to reflect on how they see themselves contributing to America Votes' work on advancing racial equity

America Votes is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace. America Votes does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected category under local, state or federal law. People of color, LGBTQ candidates, individuals with disabilities, and neurodivergent individuals are strongly encouraged to apply.