Paralegal, Office of General Counsel

Job Summary:
In this position, you will have the opportunity to contribute to WRI’s mission by enhancing compliance and risk management systems by working collaboratively with colleagues across the WRI network. You will be responsible for a variety of legal matters including tracking and managing the status of the General Counsel’s assignments, conducting reviews of contracts and similar documents when delegated by the General Counsel, board document preparation and related administrative support. You will report to the General Counsel. You will also manage and assist with state, federal and international regulatory compliance efforts, maintain and update corporate records, governmental filings and other documentation as well as facilitate and manage legal document repository.

This position is remote due to Covid-19, but you will be based in Washington, DC once restrictions have lifted.

Job Responsibilities:
Compliance & Risk Management

• Assist with governance and compliance issues regarding local and international affiliates and branch offices, including annual filing requirements and registration
• Develop ethics and compliance policies and procedures related to nonprofit tax issues, hotline complaints, sanctions, lobbying reporting, and other matters
• Assist with preparations for meetings of the Board of Directors and Board committee meetings
• Assist with managing and renewing insurance coverage; liaise with insurance broker as directed by the General Counsel
• Prepare and/or assist with the completion of periodic government reports, filings and registrations
• Assist with management and organization of intellectual property resources

Research & Communication

• Proofread and edit legal documents and filings to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance with law.
• Secure the authentication and apostille of documentation, as necessary
• Conduct legal research and draft/edit/review memoranda on the findings
• Review and revise contracts, filings and other documents prepared by others
• Maintain and update agreement templates
• Research and help identify local counsel who can provide advice on international registration and legal matters. Solicit cost and service proposals from such firms and advise on the selection of the local firm
• Assist with recruitment and management of pro bono counsel
• Update and manage the legal department intranet page

Project Management

• Identify and implement project management tools (evaluate new solutions and adapt existing solutions) to streamline new or existing practices, as well as manage design, rollout and training for new systems
• Develop and enforce processes and policies to manage outside counsel usage and spend and to optimize workflows within the Legal Department.
• Provide light administrative support to the General Counsel
• Assist the General Counsel in managing all aspects of the WRI legal function
• Additional duties as assigned by the General Counsel

Requirements

• Five+ years of full-time experience in paralegal, project management, legal operations, or other relevant experience
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant years of work experience
• Excellent judgment with the ability to set priorities and make timely and sound independent decisions
• Ability to be flexible with frequently changing priorities, and work both independently and in a team environment
• Strong attention to detail and highly organized
• Professional demeanor, superior people skills and ability to maintain confidentiality
• Demonstrated capacity to work well under pressure and successfully manage multiple deadlines and competing demands 
• Patience and perseverance in understanding and explaining issues to partners, contractors and other team members.  
• Willingness to attend meetings outside of regular, local business hours with prior notice to accommodate colleagues in other time zones
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to work well in a geographically-dispersed team 
• Excellent computer skills in MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), web-based communications (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Zoom), etc. 
• Commitment to WRI’s mission and values and interest in environment and development issues
• US work authorization is required for this position. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Paralegal certificate
• Experience with project management

Potential Salary:
$59,000 – $77,000. Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.

How to Apply:
Please submit a resume with a personalized cover letter. Applicants must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.  

Program Overview:
WRI’s Executive Office assists our top senior leadership, including the President and CEO, Chief of Staff and General Counsel. We work with leaders in government, business, and the non-profit community to forge alliances that further the Institute’s work; with media to spread WRI’s messages; and internally with staff on the development of programming and resources. The Office of the General Counsel, nested in the Executive Office, is responsible for managing the Institute’s legal matters and advising on legal risks. In addition, the General Counsel provides legal and strategic advisor to WRI’s Management Team and Board of Directors.

WRI Overview:
World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, nonprofit global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. We are working to address seven critical challenges that the world must overcome this decade in order to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean.

We are passionate. We value our diversity of interests, skills and backgrounds. We have a flexible work environment. And we share a common goal to catalyze change that will improve the lives of people. Our shared ideals are at the core of our approach. They include: integrity, innovation, urgency, independence and respect.

The foundation of our work is delivering high-quality research, data, maps and analysis to solve the world’s greatest environment and international development challenges and improve people’s lives. We work with leaders in government, business, and civil society to drive ambitious action and create change on the ground. Equally important, we bring together partners to develop breakthrough ideas and scale-up solutions for far-reaching, enduring impact.
 
We have been growing rapidly: our staff has doubled in size over the past 5 years and our operating budget is now $150 million. Founded in 1982, WRI has a global staff of 1,000+ people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and the United States as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.  

WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission and applies this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices.