General Counsel

About For Our Future

Founded in 2016, For Our Future Action Fund and For Our Future run the largest, permanent progressive field program across key states. Our vision is to expand the progressive infrastructure and advance economic prosperity for all, strong community schools, climate justice, and racial and social justice. Along with community partners and volunteers, we consistently engage with people in face-to-face conversations around what issues matter most to them. By organizing people in lasting relationships, we win elections, drive local progress, make a community’s collective voice heard, and help build the transformative power needed to improve people’s lives.

In 2018, we made over 10 million door knocks and held 1.5 million face-to-face conversations with voters in 7 states. Our turnout operation and innovative program helped restore voting rights to 1.4 million Floridians, expand Medicaid coverage to 400,000 in Virginia, and resulted in sizable electoral progress at the state and federal level, including the pickup of 3 Governor mansions, 1 Senate seat, 13 Congressional seats, and 22 state legislative seats.

For Our Future will continue to grow and win through 2020, building power across issue fights and elections. Headquartered in Washington, DC, our current state programs include Florida, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Job Summary

For Our Future and For Our Future Action Fund are affiliated organizations seeking an experienced attorney to serve as their General Counsel, including overseeing an in-house Legal Department and relationships with outside counsel. This Senior Staff position is best suited for an attorney with a background in multi-state electoral and issue advocacy campaigns. The ideal candidate would have some experience in political law or campaign finance compliance. Special consideration will be given to candidates who have experience working with Super PACs, 501(c)(4) organizations, and/or 501(c)(3) organizations.

Responsibilities/Essential Functions Section

Manages in-house Legal Department and serves as liaison to outside counsel, overseeing organizational needs including compliance with non-profit tax law, campaign finance regulations, federal and state lobbying rules, employment laws, contracts, and internal corporate governance.

Advises CEO, Senior Staff, and Executive Board on legal issues pertaining to the organizations.

Oversees legal review and approval of voter contact materials (canvassing literature, scripts, mail, digital ads, etc.) to ensure compliance with rules promulgated by the Federal Election Commission and appropriate state agencies.

Supervises the drafting and editing of contracts, incoming and outgoing grants, and other agreements by the Deputy General Counsel and outside counsel.

Assists Managing Director and State Directors in monitoring compliance with non-profit tax laws and budget implications, helping to track different types of activities relevant to 501(c)(4) and 501(c)(3) organizations (grassroots and direct lobbying, public education, political spending, etc.) and assist accountants and outside counsel in filing Form 990 and other tax documents.

Works with Compliance Department and compliance vendor to ensure proper public reporting of activities (receipts, contributions, disbursements, independent expenditures, etc.) on FEC and state campaign finance reports.

Reviews and approves receipts from, and contributions/grants to, outside organizations and entities for compliance with campaign finance and tax laws.

Prepares, edits, and reviews guidance, memoranda, and policies on PAC registration, campaign finance reporting, disclaimer requirements, fundraising policies, document retention, and background check policies.

Designs, prepares, and conducts trainings for staff on federal and state campaign finance issues.

Manages outside counsel and Employment Law Counsel on employment and human relations issues, composing or editing position statements, helping conduct investigations, editing Handbook, and developing employee relations policies as needed.

Qualifications/Experience:

Applicant must have a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited U.S. law school and be barred preferably in the District of Columbia.

Ideal candidate would have at least 3-4 years relevant experience, including 1-2 years of experience with campaign finance compliance, independent expenditures, or 501(c)(4) organizations.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Manages Deputy General Counsel and Legal & Compliance Associate

Work Environment:

Work is performed in an office environment

Expected Hours of Work:

Base hours of work are Monday-Friday from 9:00-6:00. Employees may be required to work outside of normal business hours, including weekends, holidays, and nights.

Employees may be required to abide by certain blackout dates during a campaign cycle, and generally not allowed to take more than 2-3 days off consecutively unless it’s an emergency.

For Our Future offers the following benefits to all full-time employees:

Health insurance coverage - 95% employer paid, and 5% employee paid.

Paid maternity leave.

Paid paternity leave.

Retirement savings plan with matching contributions up to the first 5%.

$100 monthly cell phone bill reimbursement.

10 days paid time off every calendar year, as well as other paid holidays.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

For Our Future Action Fund is an equal opportunity employer. This application will not be used for limiting or excluding any applicant from consideration for employment on a basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law, including race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or parental status, creed, national origin, disability, ancestry, military service, or veteran status. Should an applicant need reasonable accommodation in the application process, they should contact a company representative.

AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT

The relationship between you and the For Our Future Action Fund is referred to as “employment at will.” This means that your employment can be terminated at any time for any reason, with or without cause, with or without notice, by you or the For Our Future Action Fund/For Our Future. No representative of For Our Future Action Fund has authority to enter into any employment agreement with you that is contrary to the foregoing “employment at will” relationship. By signing below, you hereby affirm your that your employment is “at will”, and that you acknowledge that no oral or written statements or representations regarding your employment can alter your “at will” status, except for a written statement signed by you and our Chief Executive Officer or duly authorized representative as determined by a resolution of the Board of Directors of For Our Future Action Fund.