Officer, Legal Affairs and Associate General Counsel (Media/Intellectual Property)

The Pew Charitable Trusts is driven by the power of knowledge to solve today’s most challenging problems. Pew applies a rigorous, analytical approach to improve public policy, inform the public and invigorate civic life.

We are an independent nonprofit organization – the sole beneficiary of seven individual trusts established between 1948 and 1979 by two sons and two daughters of Sun Oil Company founder Joseph N. Pew and his wife, Mary Anderson Pew.

Our work lays the foundation for effective policy solutions by informing and engaging citizens, linking diverse interests to pursue common cause and insisting on tangible results. Our projects encourage efficient, responsive governments – at the local, state, national and international levels – serving the public interests.

With offices in Philadelphia, Washington DC, Australia, Brussels and London, and with additional staff in other regions of the United States and around the globe, Pew provides an exciting learning environment and the opportunity to work with highly talented individuals. We are a dynamic, rapidly evolving organization that values creativity and innovative thinking and fosters strong teamwork with mutual respect.

Legal Affairs Department:

The Pew Charitable Trusts is tackling some of the most pressing challenges we face today, whether it is conserving the natural environment and the rich array of life it supports, improving the efficiency of government and the services it provides, promoting innovation in biomedical studies or supporting disadvantaged youth, vulnerable adults or the frail elderly. As a key member of Pew’s Legal Affairs team, you’ll work closely with Pew’s world-renowned team of experts, providing them with crucial legal guidance as they develop, support, and communicate scientific research and technical analyses that explain critical emerging issues, inform policy, and advance solutions to these and other problems.

For nearly 15 years, Pew has been surging ahead with a dramatic advancement of its charitable activities. In this role, you’ll be at the center of Pew’s efforts, supporting the organization as the Legal Affairs department's work grows in volume and complexity.

The Legal Affairs department is currently comprised of 33 individuals, including 20 legal staff, five compliance staff and eight board services staff. Your astute legal insights will be put to good use, as this position is responsible for a wide and growing array of general corporate legal and risk management matters, including managing relationships with outside counsel.

Success in this position will require providing legal advice to senior management and staff regarding the institution's many publicly facing activities. You’ll also collaborate with your Legal Affairs peers on the design, development and implementation of new policies and procedures improving Pew's operations.

Position Overview:

Pew is seeking an intellectually curious, hands-on, and highly-skilled attorney for a newly created position of Officer, Legal Affairs and Associate General Counsel. The primary responsibility of this position is to support the intellectual property needs of Pew’s communications department and program units. Day-to-day duties of this position include drafting and reviewing a wide variety of media and licensing agreements; advising internal clients on pre-publication review, copyright and trademark compliance; conducting relevant legal research, analysis and training on the requirements that apply to Pew's expanding activities; supporting corporate transactional projects; and liaising between the Legal Affairs department and other Pew staff.

Given the fast-paced and complex duties of this position, a comprehensive understanding of media and intellectual property law is required. An understanding of tax-exempt organization law, specifically the laws applicable to public charities and entities engaged in non-profit advocacy is preferred. This position is based in Pew's Washington, DC office.

• Responsible for preparing legal documents and reviewing Pew policies regarding intellectual property matters, including preparing copyright and trademark documents, licensing agreements, service agreements, transfer agreements and other contracts or agreements as necessary.
• Manage Pew’s trademark and copyright processes and oversee all applicable legal filings with assistance of other legal staff.
• Provide support on corporate transactional projects, including spin off and disposition transactions that involve technology assets.
• Review and assess communications and publications for compliance with relevant laws and regulations, including those on defamation, electioneering, and grassroots lobbying.
• Assist Pew staff in strategically planning projects, such as the development and/or use of unique technologies, web and social media communications, publications and collaborative research products, in a manner that will ensure compliance with all applicable laws.
• Act as the primary liaison for Legal Affairs with Pew’s communications department and support select program teams.
• Draft, review and negotiate a broad range of international and domestic contracts in connection with Pew's work.
• Conduct research and analysis of specific legal questions and prepare memoranda and opinions setting forth research results, recommendations and conclusions.
• Identify, assess and communicate legal and business risks, including reputational risks, to the organization’s decision makers.
• Stay up-to-date on relevant developments in the areas of copyright, trademark, defamation, non-profit advocacy/lobbying, prohibited campaign intervention, tax-exempt organizations, and contract law, among others.
• Contribute to and participate in additional initiatives of the department and institution as requested.
• Manage outside counsel as necessary for specialized legal advice.
• Other duties as assigned.

• J.D., with at least eight years of legal experience.
• Experience with intellectual property and media law is required. Experience with complex corporate transactional matters involving technology is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to draft and negotiate a broad range of contractual agreements.
• Strong client service skills and the ability to resolve problems creatively, collaboratively, efficiently and effectively; to identify underlying issues, patterns and trends in complex situations; and to apply relevant expertise and experience to solving diverse legal questions.
• Exemplary written and oral communications skills, including the ability to summarize issues and address them in a clear, concise and easily understood manner.
• Significant in-house experience at a sophisticated public charity, association or private foundation, or advising nonprofits at a large law firm, preferred.
• Ability to quickly understand Pew's goals and to counsel clients on how to best achieve those goals, consistent with informed and properly mitigated legal and business risks.
• Dynamic leadership and problem solving skills, sound judgment, high integrity and the ability to understand a situation quickly, gain credibility and influence the organization through thoughtful counsel. The successful candidate must be confident, with strong interpersonal skills and the capacity to develop productive relationships at all levels.
• Skilled in multi-tasking, organizing time and identifying resources for projects.
• Licensed to practice law in the District of Columbia or eligible for such admission promptly upon hiring.
• Collegial personality, strong sense of humor, and ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams of legal and non-legal professionals.

Travel
Minimal travel to conferences and meetings; occasional travel to Pew’s Philadelphia office.

Compensation
As this is a full-time position, we offer a competitive salary and complete benefit program, including: comprehensive, affordable health care through medical, dental and vision coverage; financial security with life and disability insurance; opportunities to save using health savings and flexible spending accounts; retirement benefits to help prepare for the future; and work/life benefits to help you maintain a good balance.

The Pew Charitable Trusts is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Pew considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, sex, ethnicity, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, military/veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

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