General Counsel

TITLE:

General Counsel

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP:

CEO/Executive Vice President

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Provide comprehensive legal guidance and strategic advice to American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) leadership and Board of Directors, to support the AAP's mission and advocate for members. Oversee all compliance and regulatory oversight, including organizational risk management and litigation, corporate governance, intellectual property, policy development, contract negotiation and management, data protection, ethics and compliance, and employment legal matters. Promote a culture of collaborative leadership and legal excellence across the organization.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Advise the AAP Board of Directors, executive leadership, and member volunteers on legal matters and risks, governance matters, including Board policy and bylaws, regulatory compliance, and other strategic initiatives.
2. Develop and oversee strategies to ensure compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory obligations, including the development and implementation of policies, procedures, guidelines, and documents.
3. Oversee the crafting and preparation of legal responses and documents, including subpoenas and depositions. Represent the AAP at proceedings, hearings, inquiries, investigations, or other meetings involving legal matters or litigation, engaging external legal counsel where appropriate. Recommend strategies and legal opinions for effective resolution of legal disputes.
4. Support advocacy staff on the development and review of amicus briefs and provide advice on litigation strategy.
5. Monitor and interpret federal, state, and local laws and judicial decisions that could impact business operations and recommend strategies to mitigate legal risks. Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local requirements to protect the organization from legal action.
6. Direct litigation and dispute resolution and interactions with regulatory agencies. Oversee the selection and management of all retained outside counsel and in-house legal staff.
7. Oversee procedures related to adequate protection, utilization, and enforcement of AAP intellectual property assets, including licensing, copyrights, and patents.
8. Oversee the administration of the AAP conflict of interest (COI) and copyright processes, including the development and implementation of relevant policies and procedures designed to promote compliant practices and mitigate individual and institutional risk.
9. Oversee compliance with federal and state lobbying requirements, regulations, and laws, including those related to fiduciary duties.
10. Draft, review and negotiate a wide range of legal documents including contracts, memoranda of understanding, and other partnership and development agreements.
11. Collaborate with Human Resources on employment related matters and claims, including investigations, discipline, termination, workplace safety, training, leaves, compensation, and benefits.
12. Oversee implementation and compliance programs ensuring adherence to ethical standards, data privacy laws, health policy regulations, and record management initiatives.
13. Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders in support of AAP policy and legislative initiatives.
14. Serve as a resource to staff and Board, providing legal opinions and education on matters relevant to their specific area of work. Promote legal, compliance, and risk management best practices through the organization. Develop and deliver relevant training programs and educational materials to staff and Board.
15. Supervise and mentor staff. Encourage a work environment that promotes inclusion and belonging of all staff. Support ongoing staff development, help set objectives, ensure staff operate in a fiscally prudent manner, maintain confidentiality, operate with high ethical standards, and provide excellent service to staff.
16. Oversee the development and management of assigned budgets ensuring cost effective management of resources. Monitor budget projections and variances and make recommendations to ensure financial targets are met.
17. Perform all other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law in the state of Illinois.
• At least 10 years' experience providing legal guidance, with a focus on healthcare, non-profit or association law including some litigation experience.
• In-depth knowledge and familiarity in various areas of health care laws including corporate, contracts, health policy, compliance, as well as employment law, with the ability to mitigate risks and ensure legal compliance.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.
• Ability to negotiate and resolve legal matters and contract disputes.
• Exceptional written/verbal communications, interpersonal, and diplomacy skills with the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with various internal and external constituents, as well as the ability to engage in successful consensus building.
• Strong presentation skills with the ability to convey complex legal concepts in a clear and concise manner.
• Strategic and innovative thinker with the ability to quickly solve problems, execute initiatives, and resolve conflicts in a fair and impartial manner.
• Demonstrated effectiveness as a strategic partner within senior leadership teams, with a collaborative mindset and the ability to contribute legal insight to cross-functional decision-making and organizational strategy.
• Demonstrated track record in leading change with an ability to articulate the strategic importance of legal compliance.
• Able to contribute to fostering an inclusive culture where everyone feels valued and respected.
• Highly organized and capable of managing various tasks, projects, and initiatives.
• Strong technical acumen with proficiency in MS Office and the ability to learn and integrate new and emerging technologies to simplify and improve business practices.
• Positive outlook, high personal standard of excellence and ethics, and ability to build trust and interact with all organizational levels.
• Weekend work and travel, and the ability to respond quickly to urgent issues outside core business hours.
• Ability to work within a hybrid work environment with a 40% in-office presence.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Budget management and variance reporting experience.
• Experience supervising staff.
• Experience working in a non-profit and/or medical association.

A reasonable estimate of the current base pay range for this position is $267,501.96 - $282,363.38. Compensation decisions take into account a wide range of factors, including but not limited to relevant experience, skills, certifications, geographic location, business needs, and organizational policies. In addition to those factors, we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity of our current team members as a part of any final offer. Hiring at the maximum of the range would not be typical. We also offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes healthcare and retirement savings plans. Click to see all benefits offered: https://downloads.aap.org/DOHRAS/BenefitsAtAAP.pdf.