Attorney - Office of the General Counsel

The mission of the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington is to spread the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. In the faithful pursuit of this mission, the Archdiocese is seeking an Attorney for the Office of the General Counsel.
Reporting to the General Counsel, the Attorney provides legal advice and counsel to the Archdiocese of Washington. In particular, the Attorney will address complex and diverse legal matters affecting the Archdiocese (which includes the Central Pastoral Administration, as well as individual parishes, schools, and ministries) to ensure legal compliance and identify and reduce risk. The Attorney will be expected to provide legal guidance, while maintaining a pastoral approach, in the areas of contracts, property, land use, religious liberty, corporations, employment, tax, non-profit organizations, education and schools, estates, immigration, public policy, and other areas of the law; manage litigation activities involving the Archdiocese to ensure successful and cost-efficient defense; and assist with legal issues brought forward by other departments, ministries, and affiliated corporations.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Draft, negotiate, and review contracts between Archdiocesan entities and vendors
• Draft, negotiate, and review contracts and documents related to property transactions
• Analyze and prepare responses to subpoenas and records requests
• Collaborate with other departments on legal issues impacting their ministries
• Provide legal advice to pastors, principals and corporate officers
• Research and analyze legal issues for 501(c)(3) entities
• Research, analyze, and prepare documents related to tax-exempt status
• Research and analyze legal issues pertaining to Catholic identity, religious freedom, and public policy
• Research and analyze federal, state, and local legal and regulatory requirements
• Review and coordinate the filing of immigration documents
• Prepare archdiocesan corporate documents
• Represent archdiocesan entities and employees as assigned
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Qualifications
Required Education and Experience
• Practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church and who fully supports her teachings
• Law degree
• Membership in District of Columbia and Maryland bar
• 3+ years of relevant experience
• Background in theology, canon law, non-profit law, or public policy issues impacting the Roman Catholic Church a plus
• Strong legal research and writing skills and familiarity with Lexis Nexis for legal research
• Demonstrated communication and collaborative skills, including the ability to provide clear and succinct oral and written legal guidance, work cooperatively within a team environment, and effectively supervise and manage support staff.