Associate Counsel

The Associate Counsel reports to the Senior Director of Legal Affairs (SDLA) and provides day-to-day support to the legal department with contracts and contract management, compliance and program oversight, operations and administration, records management, and other projects assigned. 

The Associate Counsel will assist the SDLA with providing legal review of privacy requirements and compliance with regulations (including international laws), contract requirements, and other legal programs. 

This role will work with the SDLA on internal policies of the Company as well as external policies to keep the Company at the forefront of serving the global public interest in the Internet.  

The Associate Counsel will assist the SDLA on strategic and tactical legal initiatives. This role will also assist the SDLA manage Company strategies and their implementation and oversee the work of outside counsel, including with any legal or industry filings.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Prepare and assist in the processing of template agreements from initial drafting to finalization. 
• Draft, redline, and assist with negotiating contracts. 
• Provide legal guidance to various business units within PIR. 
• Assist with drafting and proofreading of legal correspondence, notices, policies, and procedures. 
• Assist in interpreting contract language and responding to internal requests or questions related to contract content. 
• Assist with managing the flow of contracts through the contract management software.
• Assist with legal compliance programs for contracts and regulations. 
• Assist with maintaining corporate records and records management, particularly PIR’s policies. 
• Assist with relevant filings with legal, oversight, and regulatory bodies, including with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).  
• Act as the liaison for internal teams concerning legal administration of the above matters. 
• Support and participate in the continuous assessment and improvement of legal services. 
• Provide general legal project management and assistance where required. 
• Assist with special projects and other duties as assigned by the Chief Legal & Policy Officer or Senior Director of Legal Affairs.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Position works under general supervision of the Senior Director of Legal Affairs. 

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited law school with admission to state bar where practicing.
• 3+ years of relevant experience of practicing law (law firm or in-house) in a related field.
• Experience reviewing and drafting contract language and with compliance programs.    

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Requirements

• Detail-oriented, superior organizational skills, and demonstrated ability to successfully manage multiple projects simultaneously, taking initiative when appropriate. 
• Strong critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills. 
• Flexibility and a willingness to contribute in both small and big ways. 
• Excellent proofreading and editing skills. 
• Ability to work on confidential matters with discretion. 
• Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Adobe.

Internal and External Contacts

This position regularly interfaces with all employees of Company as well as outside vendors, suppliers, and industry representatives. 

Physical Requirements 

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear.
• Ability to access information using a computer for up to 4 hours at a time.
• Requires sitting or standing at a desk for extended periods of time.
• Requires mobility within the office.

Work Environment.  This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers and phones.

Reasonable Accommodation.  PIR will provide reasonable accommodation to the known physical or mental limitations of a qualified individual with a disability, unless doing so poses an undue hardship on the operation of the business.

Equal Employment Opportunity, OSHA and Harassment

Public Interest Registry (PIR) provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, gender identification or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, PIR complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall and transfers, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

PIR expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of PIR’s employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.

PIR provides a workplace free from recognized hazards and complies with standards, rules and regulations issued under the OSH Act.