Job Description

For nearly 40 years, nonprofit AccessLex Institute® has been partnering with our member institutions – the nearly 200 state-affiliated and nonprofit ABA-approved law schools – to meet the ever-changing needs and challenges of law students and the legal education community we serve. From providing free resources for every step of the law school journey to maximizing the value and affordability of a law degree through research and policy advocacy, we exist to increase access and further the success of aspiring lawyers from admission to law school to admission to the bar. Helix Bar Review is our latest service in pursuit of our nonprofit mission – empowering the next generation of lawyers. Learn more at AccessLex.org and HelixBarReview.org

This is a hybrid position offering $160,000-170,000 annually. This position will report to our West Chester, PA office once a week.

The Assistant General Counsel provides practical, business-focused legal advice across AccessLex Institute and its affiliates, including Helix Bar Review, supporting day-to-day operations and strategic initiatives.

This role advises on commercial contracts; privacy and data protection matters; artificial intelligence issues, including governance; grants program administration; and issues relating to the Company’s Loan Servicer Oversight and Loan Recovery functions. Reporting to the Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, the Assistant General Counsel is a trusted advisor who balances legal risk with organizational objectives and collaborates closely with internal stakeholders to enable informed, compliant decision-making.

Responsibilities and Duties:

COMMERCIAL AND CORPORATE MATTERS

• Draft, review, negotiate, and advise on a wide range of commercial agreements, including services, consulting, supply, vendor and data processing agreements.
• Provide legal advice on contract interpretation, risk allocation, and general corporate matters, including licensing and registrations.
• Support vendor management initiatives and contract lifecycle processes.

PRIVACY, DATA PROTECTION AND TECHNOLOGY

• Advise on privacy, data protection, information governance, and data security legal requirements.
• Support legal review and governance of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, including contractual, data and intellectual property considerations.

GRANTS AND PROGRAM SUPPORT

• Partner with the Legal Department’s Grants Program Administrator and the research team to support the Company’s grantmaking activities.
• Review grant agreements and assist in developing and updating grant-related policies and procedures.

COMPLIANCE AND RISK MANAGEMENT

• Conduct and/or coordinate reviews of business processes and policies for legal and regulatory compliance.
• Draft, update, and support implementation of policies and procedures.
• Respond to day-to-day regulatory and legal issues related to the Company’s Loan Servicer Oversight and Loan Recovery functions, providing risk mitigation guidance.

TRAINING, OPERATIOND & COLLABORATION

• Develop and deliver legal training on topics such as contracts, vendor management, privacy, and related legal topics.
• Coordinate with and manage outside counsel as appropriate.
• Assist in identifying and implementing processes and legal technology solutions to improve the Legal Department’s efficiency and assist in the management of the Company’s contract management system.
• Other duties as assigned.

Candidate Requirements:

• Education and Law License
  • Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school required.
  • Active Pennsylvania Bar Admission or the eligibility for a limited In-House Corporate Counsel License pursuant to Rule 302 of the Pennsylvania Bar Admission Rules required.
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). To succeed in the Assistant General Counsel position, candidates should possess the following KSAs, which are required unless otherwise specified:

Experience:

• • • 5–7 years of experience as a practicing attorney, preferably in-house;
    • Demonstrated experience negotiating and drafting commercial contracts;
    • Working knowledge of privacy and data protection principles;
    • Experience with vendor management programs preferred;
    • Familiarity with AI and emerging technology legal issues preferred; and
    • General corporate law experience.

Skills:

• • • Sound legal judgment, professionalism and discretion;
    • A will to learn and win coupled with strong personal accountability;
    • Ability to balance superior attention to detail while maintaining clear awareness of the big picture;
    • Ability to quickly learn and fill gaps in knowledge with regard to applicable laws and regulations;
    • Ability to balance and negotiate business and legal needs;
    • Superior analytical, organizational and time/project management skills;
    • Ability to balance competing priorities, negotiate solutions and adapt to the changing needs of the business while meeting deadlines;
    • Experience preparing Power Point presentations, conducting oral presentations and facilitating interactions with internal and external stakeholders preferred; and
    • Demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: This is a full-time, hybrid exempt position located in the Company’s West Chester office; the incumbent is expected to be present and accessible for at least 40 hours per week, subject to approved leave time, travel and other absences as described in the Employee Handbook or as otherwise agreed by the Company. The Company’s standard hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: AccessLex Institute provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law.