Associate Counsel
Inclusiv is the largest network of community development financial institutions (CDFI) with a mission to promote financial inclusion in low-income communities across the country. Through our network of more than 500 community-based lenders, Inclusiv reaches more than 20 million consumers with limited incomes and residing in historically redlined communities.
Inclusiv is committed to supporting and growing inclusive, equitable and sustainable communities by investing in solutions that build wealth, create jobs, improve financial security, and reduce energy cost burden for consumers, households, and small businesses.
Based in NYC, we are a dynamic growth-oriented organization with a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in our network, governance, and workplace for fifty years. Inclusiv seeks an Associate Counsel who will support this rapidly growing organization and build a strong and sustainable organization.
Overview
Inclusiv seeks an Associate Counsel to play a vital role in the new and growing Legal Team. This role will report to the General Counsel and work cross-functionally with other Inclusiv teams including, Capital/Investments, Finance, HR, Policy and Communications, and will also support the Inclusiv Senior Management Team and the Board of Directors. The successful candidate will use technical skills in business, finance, and transactional work to help Inclusiv’s wide range of projects and programs to support economic equity through our member community development credit unions (CDCUs).
Core Responsibilities
General
• Support the General Counsel on all legal aspects of Inclusiv’s internal practices.
• Assist with drafting and reviewing corporate governance documents, policies, and procedures.
• Prepare and review contracts and other legal engagement documents.
• Assist in the creation of processes and standard legal templates for a variety of needs and areas across Inclusiv’s work and teams.
• Advise Inclusiv in regulatory, financial, and communications issues and help strategize responses and tactics.
• Stay up to date with and be aware of changing laws and regulations, or active litigation, that might impact Inclusiv’s work.
• Assist in the proper safeguard of intellectual property, confidential information, privileged corporate information, and the like.
• Assist the General Counsel with litigation matters, where necessary.
• Assist the General Counsel with conducting legal research and drafting position papers and opinions, where necessary.
• Other duties as assigned.
Financial Planning and Investment Strategy
• Coordinate with the Finance Team to support the legal aspects of financial planning, projections, operations.
• Interact with state and federal regulatory agencies.
• Possess a strong understanding of IRS rules and regulations governing tax exempt organizations.
• Assist with preparation of various tax-exempt filings and audit materials for internal and external reviews.
• Assist with the proper safeguarding of data – including but not limited to personally identifying information – and ensure Inclusiv’s compliance with applicable laws and internal policies and practices.
• Coordinate with the Capital and Lending Teams, at the direction of the SVP of Inclusiv/Capital and other Senior Management Team members, to support the legal aspects of Inclusiv’s investment portfolios, from initial structuring to drafting, revising, and negotiating investment agreements.
• Support the Capital and Lending Teams with product development and associated structing and legal implementation, and support capital raises and finance structuring.
• Liaison with outside firms – engaged and pro bono – on various projects and workstreams; where appropriate, oversee outside counsel’s work related to investment agreements with both borrowers and investors, including but not limited to credit union subordinated debt issuances, investment agreements with institutional investors across philanthropy, banks, socially responsible investors, religious institutions, not for profit organizations, and corporations.
• Conduct legal research and support the Capital and Lending Teams with review of regulatory matters.
• Other duties as assigned.
Grant Management
• Work with various Inclusiv Teams in specific programs to advise on grant and subgrant awards, including compliance with appliable framework and process to be compliant with applicable governing law and regulations.
• Ensure subrecipient monitoring procedures are compliant with parent grant requirements and consistent with sound business practices.
• Other duties as assigned.
Staff Support (HR)
• Working with the HR team, assist with development and delivery of trainings on key employment and HR topics.
• Other duties as assigned.
Skills and Experience
• Commitment to Inclusiv’s mission to help low- and moderate-income people and communities achieve financial independence.
• 1-5 years of relevant experience working in transactional corporate/business/finance law, preferably in or adjacent to the nonprofit sector (direct community development credit union experience a plus).
• J.D. degree from an accredited law school and admitted to practice in New York State.
• Excellent ability to understand and apply applicable regulations (familiarity with the NCUA a plus).
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently with initiative and ownership.
• Excellent judgment and initiative in finding effective solutions with a practical, results-oriented approach.
• Ability to work productively and contribute across diverse, multi-disciplinary team structure.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Spanish-speaking is a plus.
Location
The Associate Counsel will report to the General Counsel and work closely with other Senior Management Team members. The ideal candidate should live in the greater New York City area and be able to work on-site in the New York City office in compliance with Inclusiv’s hybrid work schedule (2 days in-office, 3 days remote).
Salary
Salary for this position starts at $110,000 annually. We will consider a higher salary for candidates with more experience. Inclusiv offers a full benefits package including major medical, dental, and vision. In addition, Inclusiv offers paid time off (vacation and sick) along with a match for pension after one year of full-time employment.
To Apply
Please send a cover letter, resume and salary requirements to legal@inclusiv.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
About Inclusiv
Inclusiv is an equal opportunity employer that works with member credit unions which serve ethnically, economically, and geographically diverse markets and communities. We value our diverse staff and membership and seek to maintain that tradition of diversity in all of our recruitment efforts. It is the policy of Inclusiv to provide equal opportunity in all aspects of employment to all employees or applicants for employment without discrimination on the basis of regard to sex, race, color, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status and any additional categories protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.