General Counsel, Legal Secretary

The Salvation Army USA Eastern Territory • Full-time • West Nyack, NY, US • $270k - $300k / year • 3w ago

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

We are the largest non-governmental provider of social services in America and every year, we help over 30 million Americans overcome poverty, homelessness, addiction, economic hardships, loneliness, and exploitation through a wide range of programs and services.

Based in West Nyack, NY our Eastern Territorial Headquarters has an opportunity for a General Counsel, Legal Secretary. This is an onsite position.

Scope Of Position

Provide legal counsel and services to the Territorial Commander and the Board of Trustees of The Salvation Army Eastern Territory, and to and for all its departments, commands, and component units; manage and administer the Territorial Legal Department within the Business Section in its coordination of uninsured litigation matters handled by outside counsel, its review of contracts and other legal documents for the field, its oversight over estates, trust and other gifts that benefit the Territory and its maintenance of corporate records in compliance with legal requirements for the parent and subsidiary corporations. Provide guidance and advice to Territorial Leadership in all aspects of Territorial policy as requested. The General Counsel and the Legal Department staff must guard with utmost confidentiality the inner workings of The Salvation Army.

Summary

Under the direction of the Board of Trustees of The Salvation Army, it is the General Counsel’s responsibility to plan, organize, direct, manage and review the legal activities of The Salvation Army, to provide legal advice and services to The Salvation Army, and oversee and manage uninsured litigation at all levels of court. Furthermore, the General Counsel must independently provide policy level legal advice and legal services. The General Counsel is also responsible for selecting, retaining, and managing multiple outside counsel.

Limited Legal Authority

The General Counsel will only have such legal authority to act for the Territory and its corporate instrumentalities as shall be delegated to the General Counsel by the Board of Trustees of The Salvation Army. This restriction shall apply, without limitation, to the execution of contracts, instruments and other documents relating to litigation, gifts, bequests or government or private funding, real property purchases and sales, construction and development.

Responsibilities

The General Counsel will be responsible for performing the following tasks on a regular basis and will therefore be required to conduct these tasks with ease and efficiency. The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed and are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of a General Counsel.

Serve as Secretary to the Board of Trustees of The Salvation Army and all entities created by or under the authority of The Salvation Army Eastern Territory. In this capacity General Counsel will approve the agendas and present items. The appointment as the Secretary of the Board of Trustees is subject to the provisions and requirements of the Charter and By-Laws of The Salvation Army or such related entities, as applicable.
Record the Minutes of Board of Trustees meetings. General Counsel shall also record or obtain Minutes of all relevant subsidiary Boards and present same to the Board of Trustees for ratification and safeguard approved Minutes for permanent reference as needed.
Make recommendations through appropriate channels to assist the Territorial Commander in reaching decisions, establishing policies and setting priorities.
Monitor compliance with corporate by-laws and all required corporate filings with the various states and territories in which the Eastern Territory conducts business. General Counsel shall also verify that action taken by the Board of Trustees is consistent with the Charter and By-Laws.
Provide legal counsel and guidance to management at both territorial and divisional headquarters on legal matters relevant to The Salvation Army.
Maintain custody of the Corporate Seal.
Review and process, or supervise such actions, all agreements, leases, releases, deeds, notes payable and receivable, trust agreements, contracts for purchase or sale of property, resolutions and other documents to verify their correctness and suitability prior to presenting them to the Board for execution unless the Board of Trustees, by appropriate resolution, authorizes other designated persons to do so.
Ensure that the processing of funding contracts and agreements are competed in a timely and efficient manner.
Oversee the administration of estates, trusts and other gifts for the Territory.
Provide guidance to Territorial Leadership and the Territorial KeepSAfe Director on all matters involving suspected or alleged abuse of children or vulnerable adults.
Provide legal oversight, advice and guidance relating to Territorial financing transactions and manage all outside counsel engaged for such purposes.
Oversee work performed by other attorneys within the Legal Department and the Territorial Immigration Specialist.
Attract, retain, motivate and direct legal department personnel, manage workloads, provide advice and guidance for projects, assign, supervise and critique the legal services of The Army’s legal staff and conduct performance evaluations. Provide the outstanding leadership required to inspire confidence, to motivate and develop a highly professional and focused team.
Become knowledgeable of Salvation Army Policies, Minutes and Procedures as well as various Orders and Regulations documents that relate to the area of responsibility assigned to the Legal Department, keeping current on changes as they occur. Initiate changes to policies under the purview of the Legal Department as they become necessary.
Recruit and retain competent outside counsel in the various legal specialties, as well as keeping a roster of competent local counsel contacts in the various geographic divisions of the Eastern Territory. Coordinate the work of outside attorneys, and consult with them on sensitive legal issues.
Communicate with Divisional Commanders and other members of divisional staffs, where appropriate, concerning such business matters that are processed by the Legal Department for, or with, their respective divisions.
Serve on councils and committees as assigned by the Chief Secretary and the Secretary for Business Administration, and undertake special projects from time to time as requested by the Secretary for Business Administration, Chief Secretary, or the Territorial Commander.
Develop and manage the budget for the legal department, supervise the financial management and adherence to the budget and office operation.
Prepare and share annual goals and objectives for the Legal Department with the Secretary for Business Administration and provide quarterly reports on progress. Goals should include any plans for staff changes, physical needs for space, equipment, training and development needs.
Execute action-oriented leadership for the Territory, proactively address the challenges that are inherent in The Salvation Army’s mission, and employ sound legal judgment to efficiently manage responsibilities, which effectively reflects the overall organizational objectives of The Salvation Army.
Draft and review policies and procedures, bylaws, resolutions and other documents related to governance, legal compliance, and operations of The Salvation Army, its governing boards, advisory boards and affiliated entities.
Identify legal issues of concern to senior Salvation Army officials. Develop legal strategies and solutions in high pressure and time sensitive circumstances.
Provide analysis of laws and regulations affecting The Salvation Army in all relevant areas, including but not limited to federal, state, and local laws and regulations affecting the operations of a non-profit religious corporation; prepare opinions of counsel as needed.
Oversee the representation of The Salvation Army and its officials in complex uninsured litigation; negotiate, supervise, and/or provide advice regarding negotiation of settlements.
Provide advice for, and participate in negotiations with federal, state and local government officials with respect to government funding and other assistance and related contracts that support The Salvation Army in delivering services to persons in need of The Salvation Army’s services and assistance, and oversee the compliance of the Territory with the equal employment opportunity and other requirements applicable to the Territory as a government contractor.
Enhance professional growth and development through continuing education in classes, seminars and workshops; maintain professional affiliations to keep abreast of developments and trends.
Consult with the Territorial Secretary for Business Administration from time to time with respect to departmental policies, needs, programs and goals which may affect his area of responsibility and implement same by appropriate action. Where conflict with existing policy appears likely, or where policy change seems merited, full particulars must be submitted through the Territorial Secretary for Business Administration to the Territorial Commander for decision.
Additional related duties as assigned by the Territorial Commander, Chief Secretary or Secretary for Business Administration.

Qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodation. A qualified person with a disability may request a modification or adjustment to the job or work environment. The Salvation Army will provide accommodation in such situations so long as they are reasonable and impose no undue hardship on The Salvation Army.

Qualifications

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE:

Juris Doctor degree from an ABA accredited law school.
Must be an active member in good standing of a state bar (a New York state bar license is preferred). If bar membership is in a state other than New York, the applicant must be willing to work towards and obtain membership to the New York Bar.
Minimum ten years of successful and increasingly responsible experience directly related to the areas of corporate transactions, litigation issues, tax planning and related matters, intellectual property matters, employment law, and property law. Fifteen years of experience preferred.
A track record for sound judgment
Possession of a high degree of ethics and integrity.
As The Salvation Army is an evangelical Christian corporation, the General Counsel will need to be fully supportive of and be prepared to defend the evangelical Christian purpose and mission of the Army.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities Required

Demonstrated ability to effectively lead and manage staff, fostering a cooperative working environment.
Detailed knowledge of federal and state laws applicable to non-profit religious corporations, including government funding requirements.
Experience dealing with relevant judicial and administrative agency systems and procedures.
Knowledge of and experience with issues, policies and procedures relevant to employment law.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, interpersonal skills, negotiating skills, and a high level of intellectual, professional and interpersonal agility and flexibility.
Ability to draft institutional policies and procedures, regulations, bylaws, contracts, briefs, position statements and legal memoranda.
Ability to provide competent legal advice to senior officers of The Army on a wide range of legal and policy issues related to all aspects of the operation of a non-profit religious corporation.
Estates and trust law experience.

What We Offer

Generous Medical, Dental, Vision Benefits
TSA paid Life Insurance for Employees
Additional life insurance options for employees
On-site cafeteria
Paid Time Off – Vacation, Sick, Personal days
403(b) retirement savings plan
Non-contributory Pension Plan
Professional Development
Free, on-site Fitness Center
Federal holidays
Opportunities to give back and support our communities

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.