Description:
Come work at Gathering Waters! We're leaders in land conservation in Wisconsin and work to support over 40 nonprofit land trust organizations all across the state. We are a small yet mighty team doing our part to protect land and water in Wisconsin.Position Overview:
Gathering Waters seeks a Staff Attorney to join our innovative Land Conservation Law Program. As Staff Attorney, you will work closely with the Law Program Director to provide direct legal services to Wisconsin's land trusts, supporting their work to conserve and steward the state's most important lands and waters.
Your primary responsibility will be to represent and advise member land trusts in matters related to the development, documentation, and stewardship of their conservation portfolios, including real estate transactions, conservation easements, and related governance issues. You will also contribute to training, technical support, and the development of tools and resources that strengthen the statewide land trust community.
The ideal candidate is an attorney with strong real estate and conservation law experience, excellent communication skills, and a collaborative spirit.
Position Summary:
As our Staff Attorney, at the direction of the Program Director you will:
- Provide legal representation and counsel to land trusts on real estate transactions, conservation easements, amendments, stewardship issues, related governance matters, and other issues as they arise.
- Develop and review legal documents, conduct legal research, and advise on compliance with state and federal laws.
- Work collaboratively with the Program Director to identify emerging legal needs, risks, and opportunities for Wisconsin's land trusts and deliver training programs to build land trust capacity in legal and technical matters.
- Maintain and update key legal resources, including the Wisconsin Model Conservation Easement.
- Manage the review and acceptance of any real estate bequests and conservation assets held by Gathering Waters.
Primary Responsibilities:
Direct Legal Services to Land Trusts
- Represent and advise member land trusts on conservation and real estate law matters.
- Draft, review, and negotiate legal documents, including conservation easements, purchase agreements, options, amendments, and related real estate instruments.
- Provide legal analysis on compliance with the Land Trust Alliance Standards & Practices and Accreditation requirements.
- Advise on risk management, governance, and policy matters affecting land trusts.
- Develop training materials and present at workshops, webinars, and conferences.
- Serve as a resource for attorneys, appraisers, accountants, and other professionals working with land trusts.
- Monitor legal and policy trends affecting land conservation in Wisconsin and nationally.
- Maintain case files and client/project tracking systems.
- Assist with program budgeting and reporting.
- Participate in Gathering Waters staff and board meetings.
Qualifications:
Required:
- J.D. and active license to practice law in Wisconsin.
- 4+ years of experience in real estate, conservation, nonprofit, or related legal practice.
- Strong legal drafting, analysis, and negotiation skills.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
- Ability to manage multiple matters simultaneously with attention to detail.
Preferred:
- Experience with conservation easements, land trust law, or environmental/natural resources law.
- Familiarity with nonprofit governance and tax-exempt organization requirements.
- Training or public speaking experience.
- Passion for conserving Wisconsin's land and water.
- Enthusiasm for public education and outreach.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
- Comfort engaging with a wide range of stakeholders in pursuit of shared conservation goals.
Compensation:
$78,000 - $85,000 annual salary along with a comprehensive benefits package including health and dental insurance, 401k contribution and match (3% after six months of employment), generous paid time off, and disability insurance.
Location & Work Environment
Our office is located in Madison, WI. You are welcome to work in our office, and we are open to hybrid work arrangements. Candidates living anywhere in Wisconsin are welcome to apply. Regular travel to Madison is expected, along with some statewide travel (reimbursed by us).