Legal Career Center

Summary:

As an Assistant General Counsel, you will support the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) in providing legal services, advice, and counsel across the broad spectrum of substantive legal and regulatory areas relevant to HHMI’s operations and activities. You will assist in providing informed, thoughtful, practical, creative, and timely advice, counsel, and other services on legal, policy, and operational matters in a manner that supports HHMI’s strategic priorities, programmatic objectives, and operational goals while balancing organizational risks. Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts relating to the conduct of research in HHMI laboratories will be a core component of your role. In partnership with other attorneys in OGC, you will draft and negotiate contracts including non-disclosure, consulting, research and licensing agreements and ensure that all such agreements are consistent with HHMI’s policies and interests.

Working in a highly collaborative environment, you will coordinate with other attorneys in OGC to help ensure that issues are fully considered by the OGC team and consistent advice and counsel is delivered across research sites, programs, and operational groups. This is an excellent growth opportunity in which you will partner with and learn from the Deputy General Counsel, and other attorneys in the Office of the General Counsel in handling diverse legal matters.

In this newly-created position, you will report to our Deputy General Counsel, and work in a hybrid model at our headquarters campus in Chevy Chase, MD.

In this role, you will: 

• Draft, review, and negotiate non-disclosure agreements, consulting agreements, and research agreements for HHMI and its laboratories at host institution-based research sites and its Janelia Research Campus.
• Assist with development and implementation of improvements of OGC processes and procedures relating to the application of HHMI’s research policies to host institution-based research sites and the Janelia Research Campus.
• Assist with additional portfolio areas in support of HHMI’s research operations as requested.
• Coordinate and collaborate with other attorneys in OGC to help ensure that issues are fully considered by the OGC team and consistent advice and counsel is delivered across programs, operational groups, and research sites.
• Assist with the diverse range of legal matters arising in connection with HHMI’s laboratories and operational offices at host institution-based research sites and Janelia Research Campus, as requested.
• In connection with all assigned responsibilities, assist in providing informed, thoughtful, practical, creative, and timely advice and counsel to HHMI departments and staff in support of HHMI’s mission, strategic priorities, programmatic objectives, and operational goals while balancing organizational risks.
• Develop current knowledge of legal issues of importance to HHMI, including through participation in continuing legal education and membership in appropriate bar and professional associations.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Deputy General Counsel, Senior Counsel – Janelia Research Campus, or the Vice President and General Counsel. 

Education & Experience: 

• J.D. degree.
• Active membership of an established bar.
• At least two years of experience working as an attorney in private practice with a law firm or in a corporate, nonprofit, or government legal department required.
• At least two years of experience drafting and negotiating contracts; experience drafting and negotiating contracts relating to life sciences research is a plus.

Skills and Abilities: 

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues as well as work independently.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Able to communicate effectively with employees at all levels of the organization and external partners.
• Manage competing priorities and deadlines in a high-volume environment while adapting approaches to shifting demands.
• Willingness and ability to support a variety of tasks across a broad range of substantive areas and to learn new areas quickly.
• Technological savvy, able to become proficient on systems and applications used by OGC.
• Creativity and positive attitude.
• Adherence to high ethical standards.
• Desire to learn about, facilitate, and take pride in the work of HHMI’s scientists and grantees.

Application Instructions:

To apply, please include a brief cover letter (one-page limit) and a resume.