Title: In-House Counsel
Supervisor: PEC President
Office Location: Warrenton, VA
Job Classification: Full-time Exempt

About Us

The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) conserves and restores the lands and waters of the Virginia Piedmont, while building stronger, more sustainable communities. Founded in 1972, PEC is a locally based, community-supported 501(c)(3) nonprofit and accredited land trust. At the core of PEC’s approach is a focus on educating, engaging and empowering people to effect positive change in their communities.

PEC works closely with The Piedmont Foundation, a 509(a)(3) charitable organization formed in 1999 to support PEC’s work throughout its nine-county region. Each of the conservation funds held by The Piedmont Foundation is guided by a county advisory board made up of local residents who value their communities and are committed to preserving and strengthening them. 

Your Role

The In-House Counsel will provide comprehensive legal support and guidance to all aspects of the organization’s operations. This critical role involves ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations, managing legal risks, and advising on complex land conservation transactions. As a member of PEC’s management team, the In-House Counsel will report directly to the President and work collaboratively with staff, the Board of Directors, The Piedmont Foundation, and external partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Legal Advice & Compliance:
• Provide expert legal advice on all matters related to land conservation, real estate, non-profit governance, charitable giving, and environmental law.
• Ensure compliance with 501(c)(3) regulations, Land Trust Alliance accreditation standards, and federal, state, and local laws.
• Provide expert and strategic legal advice to management on dealing with local, state, and federal land use issues, ranging from individual development proposals, local ordinances, state legislation and regulations to federal legislation and policies.
• Provide expert and strategic legal advice on local, state, and federal environmental and utility regulations, including the State Corporation Commission.

• Conservation Transactions:
• Draft, review, and negotiate conservation easements, purchase agreements, options, and other real estate instruments.
• Oversee due diligence on potential fee simple and conservation easement transactions, including title review, environmental assessments, and boundary issues.
• Advise on complex legal structures for conservation real estate transactions, including creating limited liability companies and executing bargain sales, donations, and projects.
• Manage all legal aspects of closing conservation transactions.

• Organizational Governance:
• Assist with PEC Board and The Piedmont Foundation governance matters, including reviewing bylaws, policies, and procedures.
• Provide legal guidance on contract review, human resource issues, intellectual property, and privacy concerns.
• Represent the organization in legal proceedings or manage outside counsel as necessary.
• Advise PEC management on internal governance policies and procedures
• Develop and implement legal best practices and policies.
• Provide clarification on legal language or specifications to PEC staff.

• Risk Management:
• Anticipate and evaluate legal risks strategically.
• Collaborate with management and outside counsel to devise efficient defense strategies.
• Review insurance coverage for PEC and Piedmont Foundation.
• Advise PEC staff on interpretations of conservation easements.  
• Evaluate and draft agreements, contracts and other legal documents that minimize risks and ensure PEC’s full legal rights.

• Stakeholder Relations:
• Coordinate with outside General Counsel for PEC and the Piedmont Foundation as appropriate.
• Collaborate with the President, program staff, and advancement team to achieve organizational goals.
• Represent the PEC and The Piedmont Foundation in interactions with landowners, government agencies, and other stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

• Strong work ethic and commitment to PEC’s core values, mission, and vision.
• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Minimum of five years of experience practicing law, with a strong preference for experience in real estate, land use, environmental and/or non-profit law.
• Strong working knowledge of local, state, and federal government rules and regulations in land use, transportation, historic preservation and environmental protection.
• Demonstrated enthusiasm and flexibility coupled with sound judgement; emphasis on confidentiality; knowledge of correct protocol for specific situations.
• Excellent analytical, negotiation, and communication skills (written and verbal).
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) principles.
• Reliable transportation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active license to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia and active membership to the Virginia State Bar.  If not active, willing to pursue obtaining Virginia State Bar membership or recognition.
• Familiarity with conservation easements and land trust operations.

Geographic Focus

In this position, the In-House Counsel will work from PEC’s headquarters office in Warrenton, VA, or in a hybrid manner to be decided jointly with the President. PEC’s hybrid work policy includes a requirement of at least one day per week in the office. Occasional travel to PEC jurisdictions, Washington, DC and Richmond, VA expected

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

This position will be completed in both an office environment. Office work requires extended sitting or standing and the use of a computer, keyboard, and mouse provided by PEC. 

Compensation

The In-House Counsel salary range is $120,000 – $140,000 annually and is an exempt position with benefits. 

Benefits

PEC offers an outstanding and robust benefits package including:

• Two health plans (83% employer-paid premium for employee only plan, 80% employer paid for added dependents)
• Short- & Long-Term Disability*
• Group Term Life*
• Accident, Critical Illness & Hospital Indemnity insurances*
• HSA account (with employer match up to $750 per year)
• FSA accounts (health & dependent)
• 403(b) pension plan with employer contribution after 1 year of service with 100% vesting from day one
• 10 paid holidays
• 2 floating holidays
• PTO leave – 24 days per year, accrued each pay period
• 1 day per year of paid leave to volunteer at another non-profit or charitable cause
• Salary continuation leave for employee or family illness – from 2 to 8 weeks fully paid leave eligibility every 24 months, depending on length of service
• Paid bereavement, jury duty and military service training leave
• Travel expense reimbursement
• Hybrid work environment and flexible work schedules
• Cell phone Reimbursement, up to $75 per month
• Professional development support
• Reimbursement for relevant licenses & professional membership fees

*Indicates that this insurance premium is 100% paid by PEC for employee’s coverage.

The Piedmont Environmental Council strives to increase diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ) in all aspects of achieving our mission. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote regardless of race, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity (including gender nonconformity and status as a transgender individual), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, genetic information, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Read more about our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) commitments.

We recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job, therefore our job descriptions are guidelines. Your experience, which may include paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work, helps build the competencies and knowledge. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of excellence. Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process may be requested. If you have any questions or concerns, please email apply@pecva.org.

If selected for this position, a background check will be conducted.