General Counsel, Chief Legal Officer

General Counsel

Position Summary

The General Counsel serves as the organization’s Chief Legal Officer, responsible for leading all legal, regulatory, and compliance matters. Reporting to the CEO, this role requires deep experience in labor relations, contract negotiation, multi-state regulatory compliance, and a strong track record of working with municipalities, public agencies, and regulatory authorities. The General Counsel provides strategic legal guidance to the executive team and board while building and overseeing a responsive, risk-aware legal function that enables operational success.

Key Responsibilities:

Corporate Compliance & Governance

• Develop and maintain company-wide compliance programs, including training and reporting protocols


• Advise executive leadership and Board on governance matters, corporate structure, and fiduciary duties


• Monitor and manage LLCA compliance and DOA


• Oversee litigation strategy and manage relationships with outside counsel

Contract Negotiation & Management

• Draft, negotiate, and review a wide variety of agreements including:
  
  
  
  • Government and vendor contracts
  
  
  • Employment and executive agreements
  
  
  • Service and construction contracts
  
  
  • Financial contracts
  
  
  • Intergovernmental or joint-use agreements
  
  
  
  


• Monitor and manage loan and financial contract compliance


• Develop and implement legal templates and risk management protocols

Municipal & Regulatory Affairs

Advise on environmental laws and regulatory frameworks impacting operations, including permitting, reporting obligations, and risk mitigation. Collaborate with internal teams and external counsel to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local environmental regulations.

• Serve as primary liaison with municipalities, regulatory agencies, and public entities across multiple jurisdictions


• Advise on land use, permitting, licensing, zoning, public contracts, and compliance with local and state administrative law


• Monitor changes in municipal and state-level regulations that impact operations or contracting requirements


• Support public bids, RFP responses, and government contracts, ensuring compliance with procurement rules


• Ensure organizational adherence to all applicable Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) rules, policies, and regulatory requirements.

Multi-State Legal Strategy

• Provide legal support for operations across multiple states, including regulatory filings, licensing, and labor compliance


• Track emerging legal risks in each jurisdiction and provide proactive guidance to internal stakeholders

Labor & Employment Law

• Lead legal strategy for labor relations, including union negotiations, grievance resolution, and collective bargaining


• Ensure compliance with multi-jurisdictional employment regulations (FMLA, FLSA, NLRA, Title VII, state-specific labor codes)


• Monitor and manage compliance


• Advise HR on employment policies, training, and dispute prevention

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school


• Active license to practice law in the U.S. (Multi-state bar admission or ability to register in multiple states preferred)


• 10+ years of legal experience, with a strong focus on public sector, municipal law, labor law, and contract negotiation


• In-house experience with a company engaged in municipal contracts or regulated industries preferred


• Proven success in managing unionized workforce legal matters


• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and leadership skills


• Occasional travel to municipal offices, project sites, or government meetings

Preferred Experience & Skills:

• Familiarity with public procurement, Prevailing Wage laws, and FOIA/open records compliance


• Experience negotiating with public utilities, city or county governments, and transportation or infrastructure authorities


• Strong understanding of government funding, compliance audits, and regulatory enforcement


• Experience overseeing or integrating with environmental, safety, or zoning/legal permitting functions


• This position may require up to 25% travel

Compensation & Benefits:

• Competitive salary with executive bonus potential


• Full benefits package including health, dental, vision, 401(k), and legal continuing education support