The General Legal Counsel serves as Esalen Institute's primary legal officer and primary legal advisor to the Chief Executive Officer, Senior Leadership Team, and Board of Directors. This role is responsible for providing strategic, practical, and mission-aligned legal guidance across the organization while safeguarding Esalen's legal integrity, governance standards, and long-term sustainability.
Requirements
- Serve as the legal advisor to the CEO, Senior Leadership Team, and Board of Directors on all legal, regulatory, and governance matters.
- Provide proactive, solution-oriented legal counsel across all organizational functions, including operations, human resources, finance, programming, contracts, partnerships, and risk management.
- Draft, review, negotiate, and oversee a broad range of legal agreements, including vendor and service contracts, faculty agreements, licensing and sponsorship agreements, waivers, releases, NDAs, and partnership arrangements.
- Ensure organizational compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including nonprofit governance, employment and labor law, health and safety, privacy, and reporting obligations.
- Partner closely with Human Resources to advise on employment-related matters, including policy development, investigations, disciplinary actions, performance management, and terminations, with an emphasis on fairness, consistency, and risk mitigation.
- Support and strengthen governance practices, including Board and committee operations, bylaws, corporate filings, policies, and adherence to nonprofit best practices.
- Manage relationships with outside counsel and specialized advisors, ensuring appropriate use, cost discipline, and alignment with organizational priorities.
- Identify, assess, and manage legal and operational risk across the organization, providing clear recommendations that balance legal exposure with Esalen's mission, values, and operational realities.
- Advise on real estate, land use, environmental, and regulatory matters related to Esalen's campus and long-term stewardship obligations.
- Collaborate with leadership to develop, review, and implement organizational policies and procedures that promote accountability, ethical conduct, and operational clarity.
- Contribute to strategic planning and organizational decision-making by identifying legal implications of new initiatives, programs, partnerships, and revenue models.
- Maintain the highest standards of professional ethics, confidentiality, and discretion.
Benefits
- Competitive pay commensurate with experience
- Medical and dental insurance
- Paid time off
