Associate General Counsel, Advocacy and Political Law

Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable sexual and reproductive health care for all people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. Planned Parenthood organizations serve all people with care and compassion, with respect, and without judgment, striving to create equitable access to health care. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable education and information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.

Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports the independently incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates, which operate non-profit health centers across the U.S. PPFA also works to educate the public on and advocate for issues of sexual and reproductive health. Formed as the advocacy arm of PPFA, Planned Parenthood Action Fund (Action Fund) is a separate non-profit membership organization tax-exempt under section 501(c)(4). The Action Fund engages in educational, advocacy, and limited electoral activity, including grassroots organizing, legislative advocacy, and voter education in furtherance of the Planned Parenthood mission.

PPFA and Action Fund seek an Associate General Counsel, Advocacy and Political Law. This job reports to the Deputy General Counsel and is part of the Office of the General Counsel (OGC). OGC is the internal legal department of the Planned Parenthood National Office providing legal advice and related services in areas including legal compliance, risk management, litigation, and all aspects of business law.

Purpose:

• The Associate General Counsel helps ensure that the National Office complies with a variety of applicable laws and regulations governing exempt organizations (including 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and 527 organizations) by efficiently and effectively providing counsel and service to internal clients in a rapidly changing environment.
• These include federal and state/local laws governing exempt organizations, including tax, campaign finance, lobbying, fundraising, and corporate governance laws.
• This position serves as one of the principal attorneys for several internal client teams, including External Affairs, Finance, and Development.

Engagement:

• The Associate General Counsel will also work closely with a range of clients and colleagues from across the National Office, including senior leadership, subject matter specialists, supervising attorneys, and governance experts within the Office of General Counsel.
• They will actively build collaborative partnerships that will enable the National Office to be effective, comply with relevant laws and regulations, and mitigate risk.
• In addition, the Associate General Counsel will work regularly with outside counsel and other external parties on a variety of exempt organization tax compliance, fundraising, lobbying, and campaign finance issues.

Delivery:

Detail-oriented, ongoing duties and responsibilities will include:

• Providing subject matter expertise and advising National Office staff on legal and regulatory requirements, including federal and state tax-exempt status, governance, charitable solicitation laws, and advocacy and political work for 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and 527 organizations.
• Ensure that the National Office conducts its business in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations for exempt organizations, including tax, campaign finance laws, lobbying disclosure requirements, gift and ethics rules, and fundraising.
• Educating and training National Office staff and senior leadership regarding legal risks and obligations related to the legal frameworks governing U.S. tax-exempt organizations, advocacy and campaign finance laws, communications law, and nonprofit governance.
• Collaborating with fundraising staff to ensure compliance with applicable charitable solicitation registration requirements, gift acceptance policies, and federal and state fundraising regulations
• Advising on nonprofit accounting matters, including fund accounting principles, revenue recognition for grants and contributions, cost allocation methodologies, and the legal and tax implications of financial reporting obligations for 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) entities
• Participating in the definition, assessment, and/or development of corporate policies, procedures, and programs
• Assisting in selection, retention, management, and supervision of outside counsel, as necessary, to support the National Office’s programmatic and operational needs.
• Other matters and duties as assigned by the SVP and General Counsel and Deputy General Counsels

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

• Education: Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA-accredited U.S. law school required
• Bar Admission: Eligible to practice in New York or Washington, DC required
• Minimum seven years as a practicing attorney in the legal frameworks governing U.S. tax-exempt organizations, advocacy and campaign finance laws, communications law, and nonprofit governance preferred
• Expertise in exempt-organization tax matters and campaign finance laws required
• Experience as in-house counsel or as an attorney for a relevant regulator is preferred
• Experience in non-profit accounting and charitable solicitation law preferred
• General knowledge of other legal frameworks applicable to the National Office, including intellectual property law and contract law.
• Exceptional research, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to think strategically and creatively about legal and business issues
• Ability to provide sound business advice as well as first-rate legal counsel to business partners at all levels, including the executive team and senior leaders
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to positively and successfully manage relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders across organizational lines
• Ability to develop strong collaborative relationships with fellow attorneys, staff, and clients
• Demonstrated ability to exercise agility, adaptability, and practicality in providing legal advice.
• Excellent judgment and proven experience in analyzing risks and making risk determinations
• Commitment to providing professional and timely legal advice and services to all clients
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complicated legal concepts into accessible language for a wide audience
• Demonstrated ability to excel under pressure in a fast-paced, highly innovative, and rapidly changing environment while maintaining and developing strong collaborative relationships with teams