Associate General Counsel

Overview of Meals on Wheels America

Meals on Wheels America is the leadership organization supporting approximately 5,000 community-based providers across the country dedicated to addressing senior hunger and isolation. Powered by a trusted volunteer workforce, this network delivers a comprehensive solution that begins with a meal and is proven to enable independence and well-being through the additional benefits of tailored nutrition, social connection, safety and much more. Through public awareness, funding, programming, education, research and advocacy, Meals on Wheels America empowers local providers to strengthen their communities, one senior at a time. At a time when demand for Meals on Wheels services is growing, and many seniors are left waiting, Meals on Wheels America is dedicated to helping End the Wait® and ensuring every senior who needs Meals on Wheels gets it. For more information, or to locate a Meals on Wheels provider near you, visit www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org

Position Summary

This Associate General Counsel position is responsible for providing a broad range of legal services and support to the Association CEO, executive team and other employees in furtherance of our mission. Job responsibilities include providing well-considered legal advice, analysis and support to the Association and to members of the Legal and Compliance team in a variety of areas of general corporate, business and nonprofit law, including but not limited to contracts, labor and employment, intellectual property, healthcare, legislative and advocacy, regulatory and administrative, fundraising and charitable registration and related matters.

In addition, this position supports the Chief Legal and Compliance Officer in the provision of information security and healthcare compliance services for the Association and support for the Board (specifically the Board’s Governance Committee). The Associate General Counsel will help in overseeing law office management including budgeting and accountability, in addition to managing and overseeing the work of outside counsel and consultants as assigned.

The position reports to the Chief Legal and Compliance Officer and is an Arlington, VA based, flexible hybrid working role.

Duties and Responsibilities

Providing legal counsel to the Association, including senior leaders and operations staff and teams as well as the Board of Directors, as needed, on a range of legal issues.

• Drafting, analyzing, and editing a wide variety of contracts and agreements including corporate, employment, independent contractor, fundraising, commercial co-venture and other forms of charity support agreements, prospective partner agreements and, for Meals on Wheels Health, agreements with health plans, hospitals, third-party intermediaries, service providers and member programs.
• Advising the Human Resources Department of labor and employment matters, including matters relating to employee discipline and sanctions.
• Representing the Association in legal and court matters, if needed.
• Managing marketing/advertising-related legal issues and acting as point person on issues related to technology, data privacy, and related legal risk management, and privacy law.
• Implementing technology systems to enhance contract lifecycle management and maintain organizational legal records and Board materials.
• Addressing commercial disputes with third parties, including, if applicable, assessing litigation prospects and supervising outside counsel assigned to such matters.
• Analyzing legal or regulatory notices, performing research, drafting responses (including comments on proposed regulations), and drafting other legal memoranda and correspondence.
• Providing counsel on Association intellectual property matters (including research, trademark registrations and enforcement matters), including monitoring trademark compliance, protecting the trademark portfolio, and overseeing Infringement and enforcement actions in conjunction with outside counsel.
• Addressing matters relating to trusts and estates, including bequests, charitable annuity and planning giving programs to benefit the Association, in conjunction with outside counsel.
• Representing the Association and/or the Chief Legal and Compliance Officer in meetings with attorneys, legal entities, corporate fundraising partners, Congressional and administrative hearings, and presentations relevant to legal, healthcare, regulatory, compliance and healthcare organizations relevant to the strategic agenda for Meals on Wheels America (including managing the work and billings of outside counsel).
• Monitoring, analyzing and reporting on federal and state compliance requirements, including, as needed, healthcare laws and regulations related to Medicare, Medicare Advantage and Medicaid; managing projects and activities associated with the legal and compliance elements of the Association’s healthcare integration strategy, including compliance training for programs and compliance action planning.
• Ensuring systems are in place for complying with applicable federal, state, and local laws and assisting with the development and implementation of comprehensive enterprise and departmental compliance programs, including training, monitoring and auditing compliance efforts.
• Providing training and education to staff and Association members on a range of compliance matters, including HIPAA, general compliance, and fraud, waste and abuse prevention.
• Actively supporting fulfillment and completion of the annual SOC-2 third-party compliance audit on information technology systems.
• Assisting in the fulfillment of the Association annual audit, tax and state charitable and corporate reporting and registration filings.
• Undertaking such other responsibilities as assigned by the Chief Legal and Compliance Officer.

Qualifications and Skills

• A Juris Doctorate from an ABA-accredited law school;
• A member in good standing in the District of Columbia or Virginia Bar, or the bar of another state with ability to waive into DC or VA bars; and,
• At least 8 years of relevant and broad-based professional experience as an attorney, preferably with a law firm and/or a nonprofit entity, practicing law in a significant number of the preferred practice areas of business, governance, labor and employment, intellectual property, association law, privacy, cybersecurity, legislative/administrative, and nonprofit law.
• A demonstrated ability to serve as a generalist and learn new areas of law quickly, as needed; familiarity with Federal legislative and administrative functions and processes is preferred.
• The ability to excel as a member of a small, fast-paced, collaborative legal department while working across the enterprise to advance the Association’s mission, values and goals.
• Exceptional legal analytical and critical thinking skills, and superlative writing skills with attention to details.
• A demonstrated leadership presence and professional maturity, establishing credibility and earning the respect of colleagues, stakeholders, and external partners.
• Excellent relationship-management skills including the ability to negotiate, collaborate and communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, including being able to explain legal terms and recommend strategies to non-legally trained staff and other stakeholders.
• An ability to proactively seek opportunities to improve internal processes or create impact for the department and for the Association.
• An advanced degree, including an LLM or other certifications in the nonprofit industry, preferred.
• Proficiency with law office management systems and contract management software, such as Ironclad, is preferred.
• A commitment to model the Association’s cultural attributes of Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, Empowerment and Service (C.A.R.E.S.)