Assistant General Counsel (Job ID: 2023-3206)

Join one of the most influential, most quoted and most trusted think tanks!  

The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, DC. Our mission is to conduct in-depth research that leads to new ideas for solving problems facing society at the local, national and global level.  

We bring together leading experts in government and academia from all over the world, rooted in open-minded inquiry and representing diverse points of view, who provide the highest quality research, policy recommendations, and analysis. Research topics cover a full range of public policy issues in economics, foreign policy, development, governance and metropolitan policy. 

With fair and transparent business practices, clear communication, mutual respect, and a collaborative atmosphere that offers both professional and personal development opportunities, Brookings offers an inclusive and welcoming workplace that values the efforts of all contributors. 

The Office of the General Counsel supports the work of the Institution through facilitating the legal and ethical pursuit of its objectives, managing legal issues when they arise, and serving as a resource to Brookings stakeholders.  

Position Location: Most Brookings positions are hybrid, combining regular in-person presence at our Washington, DC, office with the option of at least two days of remote work each week. We will prioritize candidates in or willing to relocate to the DC area for hybrid work, but will also consider remote applicants. Remote work applicants may not work from the following states: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington. 

Vaccine Policy: Brookings requires all staff to submit proof of complete vaccination against COVID-19 to be in Brookings buildings.   

Individuals that (i) have a qualifying medical condition that contraindicates a COVID-19 vaccination, or (ii) who object to being vaccinated based on a sincerely held religious belief, may request a reasonable accommodation.  Brookings policies on masks and other pandemic mitigation measures will continue to be informed by DC and CDC guidelines.    

Ready to contribute to Brookings success? 

The Assistant General Counsel (AGC) works within the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) and will be responsible for important legal and compliance work on behalf of the Institution. With respect to compliance, the AGC will serve a critical role in the day-to-day operation of Brookings’s compliance function, which will include periodic compliance risk assessments, policy review and management, training development and certification protocols, internal reviews and investigations of compliance-related matters. The AGC will leverage technology and digital innovation as appropriate to help inculcate compliance into the organizational culture. In addition to duties supporting Brookings’s compliance function, the AGC will be responsible for reviewing important funding documentation for the Institution, including agreements, proposals and reports, while providing counsel on a wide array of other legal, contract, policy, ethical and reputational issues. Please note: This position is based in Brookings’s Washington, DC office.

Compliance, Ethics and Integrity (35%)

• Help develop, update and implement Institutional policies; monitor compliance with policies; respond to questions about policies; review alleged violations of policies and recommend appropriate resolutions.
• Develop, deliver and update trainings and educational materials on a range of policies and ad hoc issues for Institutional stakeholders, utilizing standard and customized compliance training modules, in both in-person and online formats.
• Spearhead the development and implementation of training protocols that accurately track participation and completion of assigned training tasks.
• Support implementation of third-party compliance management systems.
• Manage Brookings’s annual disclosure process for outside activities and potential conflicts of interest, including overseeing annual form update, enrollment, sending reminders, tracking submissions, and responding to questions.
• Review compliance questions or issues in proposed contractual relationships.
• Support and serve as a day-to-day resource for Institutional stakeholders, including research programs and corporate functions, on compliance and ethics matters.

Donor Agreements, Proposals and Reports (35%)

• Review, negotiate and draft grant, gift and other funding agreements.
• Review donor documents, including proposals, questionnaires, certifications and reports.
• Maintain subject matter expertise and awareness in philanthropic trends and developments, creating and updating templates and self-help resources (e.g., checklists, standard forms, policies) in support of efficiencies.
• Develop and contribute subject matter expertise in government contracting and awards, including applicable laws and regulations.
• Review, support and conduct (as appropriate) pre- and post-award Institutional due diligence on existing and prospective donors, working with institutional stakeholders to ensure sound functioning, maintain appropriate records and realize process improvements. 

General Legal Assistance and Advice (30%)

• Respond to legal questions from OGC stakeholders.
• Support internal investigations and provide counsel on potential litigation and disputes.
• Support OGC on Endowment matters and Board matters.
• Support OGC on matters relating to privacy and data security.
• Monitor and manage Brookings’s trademark portfolio.
• Maintain, manage and track the Institution’s state charitable registrations, including maintaining registered agents and coordinating the annual renewal process.
• Conduct pre-publication reviews and otherwise support quality and integrity functions as needed.
• Maintain department knowledge management resources.
• Provide other services, as needed.

Ready to make an impact? In this role, you will support Brookings values of collegiality, respect, inclusion, diversity and community, and bring the following qualifications: 

Education/Experience Requirements: 

Juris Doctor from an American Bar Association accredited law school. Must be licensed to practice law in the District of Columbia or eligible to waive into DC to practice. Minimum of three years of legal experience, with experience with an Am Law 200 international law firm, academic or government institution, or other nonprofit preferred. Must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.

Knowledge/Skill Requirements:

Highest ethical standards; excellent written and oral communication skills; acute attention to detail; high degree of professionalism with discretion and the ability to maintain confidentiality of highly-sensitive information; strong problem-solving ability; excellent organization and coordination skills with a high commitment to customer service; ability to multitask and meet multiple deadlines and work well under pressure; a demonstrated ability to work independently as well as with a team.  Experience with wide array of agreements and contracts (experience with government awards desirable); Experience coordinating, developing, and delivering training sessions. Experience with any of the following areas of law a plus: intellectual property; privacy; 501(c)(3) compliance; ethics and compliance. Strong desktop personal computer skills (Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint.) required. Experience with collaboration and Project Management tools or applications (SharePoint, MS Project, NAVEX, Office 365, etc.) highly preferred. 

Additional Information: 

What can we offer you? Brookings provides a generous benefit package that is comprehensive and includes both traditional benefits and unique offerings. 

Brookings requires that all applicants submit a cover letter and resume. Please attach your cover letter and resume as one document when you apply. Please note: if you have applied to more than one Brookings job opening you should add a position-specific cover letter as a separate attachment. 

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for employment at Brookings. 

Brookings welcomes and celebrates diversity in all its forms.  We welcome applications that reflect a variety of backgrounds based on ideology, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, first generation college goers, and other factors protected by law. Brookings is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace.