Temporary Counsel, Conflicts & Lobbying Compliance (Remote) job in Philadelphia, PA

Description:

An Environmental Law Firm Office of General Counsel is seeking a Temporary Counsel, Conflicts & Lobbying Compliance. This position is designed to fill in temporarily for a staff member on leave and will not lead to permanent employment at An Environmental Law Firm. The employer of record for this role will be an external staffing agency, and pay for this role will be processed through that agency.

An Environmental Law Firm is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We take on the biggest, most precedent-setting cases across the country. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people's health; to preserve magnificent places and wildlife; to advance clean energy, and combat climate change. We partner with thousands of groups, supporters, individuals, and communities to engage the critical environmental issues of our time and bring about positive change. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.

An Environmental Law Firm Office of General Counsel is seeking a Temporary Counsel, Conflicts & Lobbying Compliance while the Sr. Counsel is on leave. The Temporary Counsel will be responsible for An Environmental Law Firm (c)(3) and (c)(4) lobbying compliance, as well as compliance with professional responsibility rules with particular emphasis on conflicts of interest applicable to legal professionals.

This is a full-time (37.5 hours/week) role that reports to the Deputy General Counsel. We anticipate the Temporary Counsel working from early-March through late-July 2025. This position can be remote, or, if preferred, the successful candidate may work a hybrid schedule from one of our offices.

Responsibilities:

Lobbying and Compliance (65%)

Conduct research on laws governing lobbying including lobbying registration and reporting in federal, state, and local jurisdictions for our 501(c)(3) and (c)(4) entities.
Advise and assist Earthjustice attorneys and staff regarding lobbying, including overseeing registration and reporting.
Advise and assist staff working on Earthjustice Action, our 501(c)(4) on campaigns and compliance issues, and assist with registrations, compliance and research regarding state and federal law.
Support the development of policies and best practices related to lobbying and lobbying registration and reporting compliance.
Support in preparing training on lobbying to staff.
Audit/revise lobbying registrations and periodic reports.
Consult outside counsel on lobbying rules when appropriate.
Participate in lobbying budgeting and strategy development.
Other duties as assigned.

Law Practice & Professional Responsibility (35%)

Advise and assist Earthjustice attorneys and staff in connection with professional responsibility matters, primarily the identification and resolution of conflicts of interest.
Work with the Deputy General Counsel to advise Earthjustice attorneys and staff regarding professional responsibility and risk mitigation, primarily conflict of interest issues associated with new matters, negotiation of client engagement terms, review of lateral attorney/paralegal/legal assistant/law clerk candidates, and integrity of ethical walls.
Identify, analyze, and resolve or make recommendations for the conflicts of interest resolution and other ethical issues related to new Earthjustice matters across all practice groups.
Conduct research on professional responsibility matters, including conflicts of interest.
Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

JD required.
Active law license and in good standing in state where you reside and/or as otherwise required.
5+ years of relevant experience.
Non-profit experience (can be pro bono) required.
501(c)(4) experience.
Knowledge of state and federal lobbying laws.
Knowledge of Rules of Professional Conduct and current state of professional responsibility issues.
Prior experience with conflicts of interest resolution or risk management in a law firm environment highly preferred.
Excellent written and verbal skills required to communicate complex legal issues.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail required to handle numerous matters simultaneously.
Ability to quickly grasp, research and assess a broad range of professional responsibility or lobbying issues and present sensible solutions and alternatives.
Ability to learn new technology and leverage our conflicts review, matter management, and matter intelligence platforms.
Demonstrated integrity, strong work ethic, and sound judgement.
Demonstrated awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations.