General Counsel

Radio Free Asia General Counsel Position

Reporting to the President, the General Counsel (GC) serves as the chief legal advisor and a strategic thought partner to the President, Board of Directors, and senior leadership team of Radio Free Asia (RFA). More than the organization's lead attorney, the General Counsel is an enterprise leader who helps shape decisions, manage risk, and ensure that the organization can fulfill its mission in an increasingly complex legal, regulatory, and geopolitical environment.

Radio Free Asia occupies a unique and critically important space. Operating under a congressional mandate and with full editorial independence, RFA delivers accurate and uncensored news and information to audiences living in countries where free press does not exist. Supporting that mission requires legal leadership that is sophisticated, agile, and deeply grounded in both sound judgment and organizational strategy.

The General Counsel provides counsel across a broad range of issues including governance, employment and labor matters, contracts, litigation, intellectual property, federal grant compliance, insurance, and media related legal issues. At the same time, the role extends well beyond traditional legal practice. The General Counsel serves as a trusted advisor to organizational leadership, helping navigate complex questions involving press freedom, censorship, reputational risk, international operations, and the rapidly evolving external environment in which RFA operates.

This leader will work closely with the President and executive team to ensure legal considerations are integrated into strategic and operational decisions. They will partner with the Board of Directors on governance matters and serve as Corporate Secretary, ensuring the organization maintains strong governance practices, sound policies, and an unwavering commitment to integrity and accountability.

The General Counsel oversees relationships with outside counsel and specialized legal resources and is responsible for ensuring that legal matters are addressed proactively, efficiently, and in a manner that protects both the organization and its long-term mission. They will foster trust and credibility across the enterprise through responsiveness, transparency, and a practical approach to problem solving.

As a member of the senior leadership team, the General Counsel will contribute broadly to organizational strategy and culture, bringing a collaborative mindset, exceptional judgment, and a deep appreciation for the importance of independent journalism and freedom of expression.

Responsibilities

Serve as a strategic advisor to the President and senior leadership team during a period of organizational transformation and external uncertainty. Strengthen governance practices, legal processes, and enterprise risk management capabilities. Evaluate the use of outside counsel and specialized legal resources. Provide guidance on matters involving federal grants, labor and employment issues, international operations, and media-related legal risks. Support the continued evolution of organizational policies and practices to ensure compliance while enabling operational effectiveness.

Partner closely with the Board of Directors and its committees to maintain strong governance and accountability. Help the organization navigate emerging legal, regulatory, and geopolitical developments affecting international journalism and press freedom.

Provide strategic legal counsel and enterprise-wide guidance. Serve as the chief legal advisor to the President, Board of Directors, and senior leadership team on matters involving governance, non-profit organizations, employment and labor law, immigration, contracts, litigation, intellectual property, federal grants, insurance, and regulatory compliance. Conduct legal research and provide practical, business-focused guidance to support organizational decision-making. Interpret U.S. laws, foreign laws, and international agreements relevant to RFA's operations and international broadcasting activities. Provide guidance regarding issues involving press freedom, censorship, libel, defamation, and other media-related matters. Advise departments across the organization on copyright and fair use, disciplinary actions, licensing, trademarks, internal policies, public statements, and litigation risk mitigation

Ensure strong governance and compliance practices. Serve as Corporate Secretary and support the Board of Directors through preparation and maintenance of official records and minutes. Provide counsel regarding governance matters, conflicts of interest, and organizational policies. Oversee the review and resolution of conflict-of-interest disclosures. Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and international laws and regulations. Provide training and guidance on matters including EEO compliance, copyright, and fair use.

Oversee legal risk management and external counsel. Develop proactive strategies to identify and manage legal, regulatory, and reputational risks. Oversee insurance programs and ensure appropriate risk management practices are in place. Represent RFA in legal proceedings and coordinate legal strategy when litigation arises. Select, retain, and manage outside counsel and other specialized legal resources. Provide strategic counsel and close collaboration with Director of Journalist Safety to protect RFA employees across all safety-related matters, from risk assessment and training to field operations and crisis response. Ensure legal matters are handled efficiently and that resources are aligned with organizational priorities.

Support labor and employment matters. Partner with the Chief Operating Officer on labor relations matters, including collective bargaining negotiations and implementation of collective bargaining agreements.

Provide counsel on employment and workplace issues involving staff, contractors, and international personnel. Support the development and implementation of policies and procedures that foster compliance and mitigate organizational risk.

Review contracts and legal agreements. Lead the review and negotiation of contracts, leases, and other legal documents. Recommend revisions and strategies to mitigate risk while supporting organizational goals. Ensure appropriate protections are incorporated into agreements involving vendors, contractors, partners, and service providers.

Maintain legal expertise and organizational partnerships. Monitor developments and emerging trends in areas affecting nonprofit organizations, international journalism, media law, labor and employment law, and federal grant compliance. Build effective relationships with leaders, staff, outside counsel, and Board members. Serve as a trusted advisor and collaborative partner across the organization. Participate in Board meetings and other organizational activities as needed.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will possess a genuine appreciation for the importance of independent journalism and freedom of expression and will be energized by the opportunity to support an organization whose work advances access to truthful and uncensored information. They will bring a strong commitment to public service and an understanding of the critical role RFA plays in some of the world's most challenging media environments.

The General Counsel will be a seasoned legal executive who combines deep technical expertise with business judgment and strategic perspective. They will have the ability to anticipate issues, assess risk thoughtfully, and provide practical guidance that advances organizational priorities while protecting the long term interests and integrity of the institution. This leader will be viewed as a trusted advisor and thought partner by the President, Board, and senior leadership team.

This leader will excel at synthesizing diverse perspectives and providing balanced, actionable guidance that enables sound decision-making. They will combine intellectual rigor with practicality and will be viewed as a trusted counselor during periods of complexity and change.

The ideal candidate will bring significant experience advising executive leaders and boards of directors on governance, policy, and fiduciary matters. They will understand how to build trust, provide candid counsel, and ensure that sound governance practices support organizational effectiveness. The successful candidate will possess the executive presence and credibility necessary to work effectively with Board members and senior leaders on sensitive and high-profile issues.

Given the nature of RFA's mission and operations, the General Counsel must possess the ability to navigate complex legal and operational issues across diverse international environments. Experience with media organizations, international operations, federally funded institutions, or mission-driven organizations operating in highly visible or sensitive environments will be particularly valuable. The ability to appreciate the intersection of law, journalism, public policy, and geopolitics will be critical to success.

The successful candidate will bring exceptional judgment and a steady hand in managing legal, operational, and reputational risk. They will be comfortable navigating ambiguity, making decisions in fast-moving environments, and addressing sensitive matters with professionalism and discretion. They will possess high ethical standards, intellectual rigor, and the ability to remain calm and thoughtful under pressure.

This leader will excel in highly collaborative environments and will be known for building strong relationships across functions and constituencies. They will possess the ability to influence without authority, communicate complex legal concepts in clear and practical terms, and foster confidence among colleagues, leadership, and Board members. Their approach will be characterized by responsiveness, humility, and a willingness to roll up their sleeves when needed.

They will thrive in a lean, entrepreneurial, and highly mission-driven culture where collaboration, accountability, and adaptability are highly valued. While possessing the gravitas to advise senior leaders and the Board on sensitive matters, they will also embrace a hands-on approach and a willingness to engage deeply in the work when necessary.

The General Counsel will demonstrate intellectual curiosity and a commitment to continuous learning. They will stay abreast of developments affecting employment law, nonprofit governance, federal grant regulations, media law, and international operations, and will bring an adaptive mindset to an environment characterized by ongoing change and evolving challenges.

The General Counsel will bring the resilience, flexibility, and emotional intelligence required to lead effectively through periods of uncertainty and transformation. They will be comfortable operating in evolving environments, balancing competing priorities, and helping the organization adapt to changing legal, operational, and geopolitical realities. This leader will provide steady guidance, foster alignment, and help the organization navigate complexity with confidence and clarity.

The successful candidate will be a person of unquestioned integrity who is thoughtful, pragmatic, and highly collaborative. They will combine sound judgment with common sense and possess the maturity and emotional intelligence to navigate difficult issues with diplomacy and confidence. They will be resilient, adaptable, and motivated by the opportunity to support a mission that has meaningful global impact. They will also be recognized as a generous colleague and mentor who invests in developing others and strengthening organizational capacity through teaching, coaching,