Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

General Counsel

• Understand and support the objectives of fast-paced and demanding internal client groups, develop creative solutions, and resolve issues using the appropriate legal framework and in consideration of the foundation's values and risk philosophy.
• Serve as legal relationship manager for several program teams engaged in grantmaking, direct government engagement, and public facing campaigns, proactively identifying legal challenges and crafting business-oriented solutions.
• Advise on high-impact issues including global government engagement, public relations, lobbying, electioneering, and reputational risk.
• Demonstrate generalist expertise to identify legal issues and collaborate, where appropriate, with other legal team members or foundation stakeholders to lead the resolution of complex and strategic legal issues in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and foundation policy and process.
• Establish a relationship of trust with key partners and participate as a strategic advisor with regular touchpoints for communication.
• Collaborate with the Legal Leadership Team and broader legal team to ensure effective coverage, work allocation and communication regarding legal issues related to the foundation, all from a “one team” perspective.
• Facilitate compliance with and ensure current knowledge regarding applicable domestic and foreign legal and regulatory requirements in countries where the foundation maintains a legal presence or is otherwise active.
• Oversee legal structuring and negotiations of transactions and partnerships, including advocacy grants, campaigns, media agreements, and intellectual property matters.
• Lead education and training for foundation leadership and staff on key legal and compliance matters, ensuring knowledge transfer and consistent application of legal principles.
• Stay abreast of legal developments and provide thought leadership on evolving laws affecting private foundations, advocacy, digital communication, and nonprofit governance.
• Engage in a moderate amount of travel, primarily internationally, particularly to locations where the foundation has an office or presence.

Principal Legal Counsel – Policy & Advocacy