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JOB SUMMARY
Lakewood Church’s Legal Counsel assists the legal department in various legal functions and complex legal matters of the church. In this role, the Legal Counsel supports the General Counsel and legal department in protecting the organization’s legal interest and maintaining its operations within the scope as established by law. The Legal Counsel assists the General Counsel in providing general legal advice and overseeing complex legal matters about the organization, including corporate, tax, data security, governance, intellectual property, contracts and negotiations, risk management and compliance, policy development, employment law matters, litigation matters, and others. The candidate must be able to interact with staff at all levels in a fast-paced environment, work well under pressure, and remain flexible, proactive, resourceful, and efficient, with a high level of professionalism.
This position reports directly to the General Counsel
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Legal Advice: Provides timely and practical legal advice to the church's business leaders upon request
Policy: Participates in the definition and development of corporate policies, procedures, and programs and provides continuing counsel and guidance on legal matters relating thereto
Intellectual Property: Assists in managing the church’s intellectual property portfolio, including filing and maintaining copyrights and trademarks, and administering permission and requests; manages to license of Lakewood properties and for Lakewood uses
Contracts: Manages the Church’s contract management system, contract negotiation, review, drafting, and revision for a wide variety of commercial agreements, and management of the contracts lifecycle; responsible for ensuring all contracts, agreements, and business deals for the Church are styled and in line with nonprofit rules and church policies
Corporate Governance: Assist with corporate governance of the organization including the drafting of various minutes and assist with ensuring the organization’s compliance with I.R.C Section 4958 about executive compensation, maintaining assumed name certificates, and others
Risk Management and Insurance: Plays an integral part in risk management for the organization including identification, mitigation, and monitoring of various operational risks with a focus on the areas of financial, information technology, insurance, safety and security, child safety, and other areas as needed. Assist with risk management through conducting annual review insurance of policies and coverage for Lakewood Church and all subs; overseeing the insurance renewal process for insurance policies across the church; and managing claims made on behalf of, or against Lakewood Church
Legal Compliance: Assists with the organization’s compliance with applicable laws and regulations; analyze legal implications and areas of exposure; develop practices, guidelines, and policies as needed
Litigation and Dispute Resolution: Assists with case assessment and evaluation, counsel management, case status assessment management, response to discovery, implementing litigation holds and records management
Training: Provide training on legal-specific topics as may be needed
Volunteer Screening Department: Alongside the General Counsel assist with oversight and direction of the Volunteer Screening Department
MINISTERIAL DUTIES
As an Employee of Lakewood Church, you are a part of an over 60-year legacy of faith. As a part of the Lakewood team, you are a key part of our mission in taking the Hope found in Jesus to the world. This means that as part of your job responsibilities, you are considered a spiritual leader in the Church. You are responsible for communicating the Church’s beliefs and our mission to our congregants, to maintain a lifestyle consistent with the Scriptures and are you required to belong to the Church as part of our faith community. This will also include:?
Regular attendance at Church services and classes
Serving as a Prayer Partner or as a volunteer in any ministry of the Church, and
Serving our community through local outreaches from time to time when needed by the Church
QUALIFICATIONS
Unqualified commitment to Lakewood Church’s beliefs and values
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as a positive professional image
Excellent organizational skills and ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced, dynamic corporate environment
Overall broad legal knowledge
Ability to develop legal strategy and objectives
The high degree of professional ethics and integrity
Excellent judgment, analytical, and problem-solving skills
Excellent interpersonal and collaborative skills
Experience in effective negotiating
Ability to develop and deliver presentations
Experience in people management and development
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
J.D. Degree from an accredited law school
Member of a state bar, preferably Texas. Member in good standing of all state bars were licensed to practice law
2+ years experience as a practicing corporate lawyer with knowledge of nonprofit law preferred