General Counsel

The Authors Guild is the nation’s oldest and largest professional organization for writers, serving as the nation’s collective voice for authors. A not-for-profit 501(c)(6) organization established in 1912, the Guild is the primary U.S. organization of professional writers. With more than 18,000 members, the Guild provides legal assistance, website services, and other benefits to its members; it also provides free education to all authors in the business of writing and advocates for all authors’ interests in copyright, fair contracts and compensation, free expression, AI, and other matters through lobbying, litigation, consultation, and public education.

Position Overview

The Authors Guild seeks a General Counsel to oversee its intellectual property work, litigation, and legislative activities. This position plays a critical role in advancing our mission to protect the rights and economic interests of authors while navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of publishing, technology, and intellectual property law. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in copyright and media law and knowledge of first amendment and not-for-profit law.

Reporting to and working closely with the CEO, the General Counsel is responsible for the organization’s and its related entities’ (the Authors Guild Foundation, Authors Registry, and Authors League of America) in‑house corporate affairs, litigation, and legislative initiatives. The General Counsel will be responsible for developing and drafting a wide variety of the organization’s written positions, policies, and statements and participate in its educational initiatives as well as domestic and international public speaking engagements and conferences. The General Counsel will also draft or edit articles and releases related to legal issues impacting authors and review other content that the Authors Guild publishes for legal accuracy.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Legal Leadership & Strategy

• Serve as principal legal strategist and advisor to the CEO and senior leadership on legal matters affecting the organization and its members.

Advocacy & Policy Work

• Lead or support legislative and regulatory advocacy efforts related to copyright law, fair use, AI and technology issues, freedom of expression, and publishing industry practices.
• Represent the Guild in coalitions, at conferences, and before policymakers and industry stakeholders.
• Prepare position statements, comment letters, and legal analyses on issues affecting the writing community.
• Speak at conferences, roundtables, and hearings on matters affecting writers.

Litigation & Amicus Support

• Serve as a primary contact on litigations with outside counsel in cases where the Guild is a party or has significant interest.
• Evaluate potential litigation opportunities that could advance authors’ rights.
• Track and report to the CEO and legal staff on litigation that affects authors.
• Work closely with outside counsel and oversee amicus briefs in cases with important implications for authors; organize other amici.

Writing and Editing

• Draft and/or edit alerts and updates on legal issues for authors, statements, press releases, and policies.
• Review and edit filings in our own cases and amicus briefs prepared by outside counsel.

Organizational Governance

• Ensure organizational compliance with applicable laws and regulations governing nonprofit organizations.
• Advise on governance matters, bylaws, and board policies; provide reports to the Authors Guild’s Council and Authors Guild Foundation board on legal and governance matters.
• Manage relationships with outside counsel and legal service providers.
• Oversee contracts, licensing agreements, and other legal documents.
• Strategic thinking with ability to balance legal risk management and mission advancement.
• Strong judgment and ability to provide practical, solutions‑oriented legal advice.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to explain complex legal concepts to non‑lawyers.
• Passion for social justice and authors’ rights.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Collaborative leadership style with commitment to transparent communications.
• Develop and implement legal strategies that advance the Guild’s advocacy priorities, particularly in copyright, contract law, and authors’ rights.
• Identify emerging legal issues affecting authors and provide proactive guidance on institutional responses.
• Oversee, with the CEO, the Guild’s federal and state lobbying efforts.
• Oversee and advise on matters of not‑for‑profit governance, contracts, risk management, employment, copyright, and other IP related matters.
• Keep senior management, the Board of Directors, and other staff updated on legal issues relating to programmatic affairs, including legislative and regulatory issues affecting the organization.
• Write and deliver speeches, white papers, comments to government agencies, press statements, member correspondence, and occasional articles for the Guild’s quarterly Bulletin.
• Work with outside counsel on employment and non‑profit matters.
• Monitor and manage the Guild’s litigations.
• Participate in the ongoing strategic planning process as an integral member of the senior management team.
• Serve as a liaison with publishing industry leaders and domestic and international rights organizations.
• Oversee the organizations literary estates.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the CEO.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

• Minimum 10–15 years of legal experience, with substantial expertise in copyright, publishing, and/or media law.
• Familiarity with First Amendment and free expression issues.
• Understanding of publishing industry practices, author‑publisher relationships, and contract law.
• Exceptional legal writing, analytical, and communication skills and organized thinking.
• Excellent public speaking abilities.
• Commitment to the Authors Guild’s mission, advocacy, and the interests of authors.
• Outgoing, with confidence and proclivity to speak up when appropriate or necessary to advocate for matters relating to authors’ interests.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with diverse stakeholders and to lead coalitions.
• Experience and skills with managing, delegating to, holding accountable, and training junior legal staff.
• Ability to multi‑task, meet deadlines, and juggle priorities is essential.
• Ability to read and synthesize information quickly with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to work at a computer for long hours.
• Ability to travel 1–2 times a quarter.
• Evening and weekend work, as necessary.

Preferred:

• Experience in legislative or regulatory advocacy.
• Experience in nonprofit legal work, advocacy, or public interest law.
• Background in technology law, particularly as it relates to AI, digital publishing, or internet policy
• This is a leadership position. The applicant must be able to work independently, assess priorities on their own, and recommend, develop, and execute strategies that align with the organization’s goals.
• Creativity in solving problems and executing solutions.
• Experience managing outside legal counsel.
• Familiarity with not‑for‑profit law.
• Background in publishing or entertainment related fields.

Work Arrangement & Compensation

• Hybrid schedule: two days per week in the Authors Guild’s New York City or Washington DC office (starting in 2027, flexible until then), with remote flexibility the remainder of the week.
• Competitive salary commensurate with experience, plus a comprehensive benefits package.
• The opportunity to shape the public voice of the leading advocacy organization for American authors.

The Authors Guild is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

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