General Counsel

Duties & Responsibilities :

Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) is a multi-program laboratory applying state-of-the-art science and practical, high-value, cost-effective solutions to complex technical problems to protect the nation. Located at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Savannah River Site (SRS) in Aiken, South Carolina, the laboratory develops and deploys innovative technologies to address some of the nation’s environmental, energy, and national security challenges.

Purpose

SRNL is inviting applications for the position of General Counsel to enable the Laboratory's mission by assisting senior leadership in navigating complex regulatory, contractual, governance and litigation matters. The General Counsel is the resident expert in providing advice and counsel on a broad range of legal and litigation strategies in support of the organization’s overall mission. Reporting to the Laboratory Director, the General Counsel will serve as the senior legal advisor for the Laboratory and will provide legal advice and counsel on all matters affecting the Laboratory.

This individual will work closely with Department of Energy and corporate counterparts while leading and managing the legal function, as well as oversee external legal resources. The General Counsel also provides legal advice and perspective to the Laboratory's management and operating company (Battelle Savannah River Alliance) Board of Directors. 

• Provide strategic advice to support the leadership of the Laboratory and enable execution of the Laboratory's missions.
• Manage routine, non-routine, difficult and sensitive legal issues as well as analyze risk exposure inherent in the Lab's operations and research programs, to include all legal matters such as employment, environmental, regulatory and business law.
• Manage and protect the organization's intellectual property in concert with the Laboratory’s technology development office.
• Advise executive members on new and existing laws, legal compliance, and rights that impact functionality of the Laboratory.
• Negotiate and manage significant transactions, including joint ventures, strategic alliances, partnerships, and related governance issues.
• Craft and review legal strategy in response to any litigation 
• Support and consult on complex commercial contract matters, including government contracts as well as collaborating with relevant stakeholders to ensure that the organization complies with the terms of the Laboratory Prime Contract with the Department of Energy and other legal and regulatory requirements.
• Provide oversight of litigation and retained outside counsel.
• Lead a legal organization consisting of attorneys and a paralegal, including responsibility for recruitment, retention, and career development.
• Provide legal counsel on the full spectrum of employment and labor law matters, including Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FMLA, FLSA, OSHA, affirmative action and workplace investigations.
• Develop and implement an enterprise legal risk management framework, identifying and quantifying legal exposures across the Laboratory's operations and recommending mitigation strategies to senior leadership.

Required Qualifications :

• Juris Doctorate from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and being an active member in good standing of a state bar (any U.S. jurisdiction).
• Minimum of 15 years of relevant legal experience
• Experience leading and managing a team of legal professionals in a corporate legal office, federal government legal office, or law firm
• Advanced knowledge of laws and regulations applicable to various types of federal contracts, employment, and labor law; environmental law; intellectual property and technology transfer; export control; and litigation management and strategy
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a clearance from the Department of Energy. As such, this position is a Workplace Substance Abuse (WSAP) testing designated position. WSAP positions require passing a pre-placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program.

Preferred Qualifications :

• Previous experience as a general counsel on an executive team.
• Previous litigation experience.
• Experience with federally funded research and development (FFRDC) organizations.