Assistant General Counsel

New York, NY, United States

The Center for Justice Innovation (formerly the Center for Court Innovation) is a non-profit organization that works with communities and justice systems to advance equity, increase safety, and help individuals and communities thrive. The Center's goal is to identify and resolve as early as possible the challenges that bring people into the criminal and civil legal systems. It does this in a number of ways—by developing and running programs that reduce the need for incarceration and enhance economic opportunity, conducting original research to identify what works, and sharing what we learn from our programming and research with those seeking to transform the justice system around the world.

Operating Programs

The Center’s operating programs, including the award-winning Red Hook Community Justice Center and Midtown Community Court, test new ideas, solve difficult problems, and attempt to achieve systemic change within the justice system. Our projects include community-based violence prevention programs, alternatives to incarceration, reentry initiatives, and court-based initiatives that reduce the use of unnecessary incarceration and promote positive individual and family change. Through this programming, we have produced tangible results like safer streets, reduced incarceration, and improved neighborhood perceptions of justice.

Research

The Center's research teams are staffed with social scientists, data analysts, and lawyers who are academically-trained or have lived experience and who conduct research in the U.S. and globally on diverse criminal-legal system and justice issues. Their work includes evaluating programs and policies; conducting exploratory, community-based studies; and providing research translation and strategic planning for system actors. The Center has published studies on topics including court and jail reform, intimate partner violence, restorative justice, gun violence, reentry, sixth amendment rights, and progressive prosecution. The research teams strive to make their work meaningful and actionable to the communities they work with, policymakers, and practitioners.

Policy & Expert Assistance

The Center provides hands-on, planning and implementation assistance to a wide range of jurisdictions in areas of reform such as problem-solving courts (e.g., community courts, treatment courts, domestic violence courts), tribal justice, reducing incarceration and the use of fines/fees and reducing crime and violence. Our current expert assistance takes many forms, including help with analyzing data, strategic planning and consultation, policy guidance, and hosting site visits to its operating programs in the New York City area.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Office of the General Counsel is seeking an Assistant General Counsel to join our legal team. The goal of the Office of the General Counsel is to help the Center for Justice Innovation achieve its mission while assessing and managing organizational risk. The Assistant General Counsel will report to the General Counsel and work closely with the Contracts and HR teams.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Advise and assist the Center on compliance with contractual, legal and ethical obligations (including but not limited to labor and employment, procurement, data privacy and security, consent, conflict of interest, lobbying, and corporate governance etc.);

Review, negotiate and draft various corporate contracts and other legal documents (including but not limited consulting contracts, federal subawards, leases, MOUs, consents and waivers);

Along with the Deputy General Counsel support the Human Resources department on various personnel matters; Advise on internal investigations in response to employee complaints and potential violations of Center policies, particularly in relation to equal employment opportunity, anti-harassment, anti-discrimination and respectful workplace policies;

Provide general legal support on development and implementation of personnel policies, processes, and procedures;

Advise on compliance with employment laws in New York and other states where the Center has employees;

Research and respond to legal questions as they arise;

Other duties as assigned by the General Counsel.

Qualifications: An ideal candidate will have:

A J.D. degree from an ABA accredited U.S. law school;

Admitted to practice law in New York;

At least 4 years of working experience as a practicing attorney, with at least one year of in-house experience (for-profit or nonprofit) strongly preferred;

Demonstrated experience practicing labor and employment law strongly preferred;

Demonstrated experience in the areas of commercial real estate, labor and employment, or data privacy and security preferred;

Experience in public interest or non-profit sphere a plus;

Excellent judgment and discretion, especially regarding confidential and sensitive matters;

Strong research and analysis skills;

Superior written and oral communication skills; and

Ability to prioritize tasks and work independently.

THE ORGANIZATION

The Center for Justice Innovation (formerly the Center for Court Innovation) is a non-profit organization that works with communities and justice systems to advance equity, increase safety, and help individuals and communities thrive. The Center's goal is to identify and resolve as early as possible the challenges that bring people into the criminal and civil legal systems. It does this in a number of ways—by developing and running programs that reduce the need for incarceration and enhance economic opportunity, conducting original research to identify what works, and sharing what we learn from our programming and research with those seeking to transform the justice system around the world.

Operating Programs

The Center’s operating programs, including the award-winning Red Hook Community Justice Center and Midtown Community Court, test new ideas, solve difficult problems, and attempt to achieve systemic change within the justice system. Our projects include community-based violence prevention programs, alternatives to incarceration, reentry initiatives, and court-based initiatives that reduce the use of unnecessary incarceration and promote positive individual and family change. Through this programming, we have produced tangible results like safer streets, reduced incarceration, and improved neighborhood perceptions of justice.

Research

The Center's research teams are staffed with social scientists, data analysts, and lawyers who are academically-trained or have lived experience and who conduct research in the U.S. and globally on diverse criminal-legal system and justice issues. Their work includes evaluating programs and policies; conducting exploratory, community-based studies; and providing research translation and strategic planning for system actors. The Center has published studies on topics including court and jail reform, intimate partner violence, restorative justice, gun violence, reentry, sixth amendment rights, and progressive prosecution. The research teams strive to make their work meaningful and actionable to the communities they work with, policymakers, and practitioners.

Policy & Expert Assistance

The Center provides hands-on, planning and implementation assistance to a wide range of jurisdictions in areas of reform such as problem-solving courts (e.g., community courts, treatment courts, domestic violence courts), tribal justice, reducing incarceration and the use of fines/fees and reducing crime and violence. Our current expert assistance takes many forms, including help with analyzing data, strategic planning and consultation, policy guidance, and hosting site visits to its operating programs in the New York City area.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Office of the General Counsel is seeking an Assistant General Counsel to join our legal team. The goal of the Office of the General Counsel is to help the Center for Justice Innovation achieve its mission while assessing and managing organizational risk. The Assistant General Counsel will report to the General Counsel and work closely with the Contracts and HR teams.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Advise and assist the Center on compliance with contractual, legal and ethical obligations (including but not limited to labor and employment, procurement, data privacy and security, consent, conflict of interest, lobbying, and corporate governance etc.);

Review, negotiate and draft various corporate contracts and other legal documents (including but not limited consulting contracts, federal subawards, leases, MOUs, consents and waivers);

Along with the Deputy General Counsel support the Human Resources department on various personnel matters; Advise on internal investigations in response to employee complaints and potential violations of Center policies, particularly in relation to equal employment opportunity, anti-harassment, anti-discrimination and respectful workplace policies;

Provide general legal support on development and implementation of personnel policies, processes, and procedures;

Advise on compliance with employment laws in New York and other states where the Center has employees;

Research and respond to legal questions as they arise;

Other duties as assigned by the General Counsel.

Qualifications: An ideal candidate will have:

A J.D. degree from an ABA accredited U.S. law school;

Admitted to practice law in New York;

At least 4 years of working experience as a practicing attorney, with at least one year of in-house experience (for-profit or nonprofit) strongly preferred;

Demonstrated experience practicing labor and employment law strongly preferred;

Demonstrated experience in the areas of commercial real estate, labor and employment, or data privacy and security preferred;

Experience in public interest or non-profit sphere a plus;

Excellent judgment and discretion, especially regarding confidential and sensitive matters;

Strong research and analysis skills;

Superior written and oral communication skills; and

Ability to prioritize tasks and work independently.

Position Type: Full time.

Position Location: Midtown Manhattan, NY

Compensation: The compensation range for this position is$105,000 - $135,000 and is commensurate with experience.The Center for Justice Innovation offers an excellent benefits package including comprehensive healthcare with a national network, free basicdental coverage, vision insurance, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, and flexible spending accounts including commuter FSA. We prioritize mental health care for our staff and offer services like Talkspace and Ginger through our healthcare plans. We offer a 403(b) retirement plan with a two-to-one employer contribution up to 5%. The Center for Justice Innovation is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace, and as such, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, national origin, age, military service eligibility, veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or any other category protected by law. We strongly encourage and welcome applications from women, people of color, members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities, as well as individuals with prior contact with the criminal justice system. Our aim is to create a supportive and respectful environment where every individual, irrespective of their background or identity, feels valued and included.

As of February 10, 2023, New York City Executive Order 25 rescinded the requirement of the COVID-19 vaccination for City workers, new hires, and contracted employees. Accordingly, the Center does not require all new hires be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus; however, the Center recommends all staff, interns, and volunteers stay up-to-date on the vaccination.

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