Job Description

Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) is the nation’s largest organization exclusively representing the black college community. TMCF member-schools include the publicly supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and several Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs). The Associate Legal Counsel will be responsible for managing the full contract lifecycle for the organization. This includes drafting, reviewing, negotiating, and finalizing a wide range of agreements to ensure legal accuracy, risk mitigation, and timely execution. The ideal candidate will bring deep experience in contract law and demonstrate strong attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to manage a high volume of contracts in a fast-paced environment. This is a full-time, on-site position based in Washington, DC. The Associate Counsel will provide comprehensive legal oversight and support for the organization’s contracting, compliance, and risk functions. The Associate Legal Counsel will be responsible for reviewing, editing, negotiating, and facilitating the execution of various contracts. In addition to contract management, the role will support enterprise-wide compliance efforts and contribute to legal strategy across departments. Additional responsibilities will be assigned based on organizational priorities and the candidate’s subject-matter expertise, with opportunities to engage in litigation, labor and employment matters, governance, intellectual property, and regulatory compliance.

Reports To:

Vice President of External Affairs and Deputy Chief of Staff

Responsibilities:

• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts including MOUs, service agreements, grant agreements, NDAs, vendor contracts, and other legal instruments.
• Manage contract workflows from initiation through execution and archiving.
• Advise on legal terms and identify and mitigate risks associated with contract provisions.
• Ensure timely turnaround and consistency of legal language across contract types.
• Maintain organized records and support contract tracking and reporting functions.
• Stay current on developments in contract law relevant to the organization’s work.
• Perform other legal duties related to contract management as assigned by the Chief Legal and Business Officer.
• Other duties as assigned.

Position Mandatories:

Travel Required

Required Competencies and Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school and active bar membership in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• Minimum of 5–7 years of experience with contract drafting, negotiation, and management.
• Demonstrated ability to handle complex agreements with minimal oversight.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• High attention to detail, with a strong commitment to accuracy and risk mitigation.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple contracts simultaneously under tight deadlines.

Additional Information:

• Employee Type: Full-time (Exempt)
• Department: Legal
• Manages Others:No
• Location: Washington, DC (On-site)
• Pay: Commensurate with experience and education
• Start Date: TBD
• Benefits:Health, Dental, Vision, FSA, 403(b), TBD Bonus Potential

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