General Counsel - The Roman Catholic Church of the Archdiocese of New Orleans

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW ORLEANS

POSITION DESCRIPTION - General Counsel

Position Overview

The General Counsel serves as the principal civil legal advisor to the Archbishop and senior leadership of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, providing practical legal counsel and guidance on matters affecting the Archdiocese, its parishes, schools, and affiliated ministries.

Working closely with organizational leadership, the General Counsel helps identify and address legal issues, assess risks, and support sound decision-making. The position requires a knowledgeable, solutions-oriented attorney with sound judgment, strong communication skills, and an understanding of the operational and pastoral needs of the Church.

The General Counsel is the Archdiocese's sole in-house attorney and works in close partnership with an established outside law firm that has represented the Archdiocese for more than 100 years and possesses substantial institutional knowledge. This longstanding relationship provides access to additional legal experience and specialized expertise, allowing the General Counsel to draw upon outside resources when appropriate.

Key Responsibilities

Legal Counsel and Organizational Support

• Serve as a principal legal resource to the Archbishop and senior leadership, providing practical advice and guidance on matters affecting the Archdiocese.
• Advise pastors, department leaders, school administrators, and ministry executives on legal issues and organizational matters.
• Identify significant legal risks and assist leadership in evaluating options and appropriate courses of action.

Corporate Governance

• Provide legal guidance concerning the governance of the Archdiocese's numerous separate legal entities, including parishes, schools, and affiliated organizations.
• Advise on corporate documents, bylaws, board matters, resolutions, annual meetings, and appropriate governance practices.

Contracts, Employment, and Organizational Matters

• Review, prepare, and advise on contracts, leases, construction agreements, vendor arrangements, and other business transactions.
• Provide legal guidance to Human Resources and organizational leaders on employment matters, workplace issues, policies, and related legal requirements.
• Support significant real estate, property, facilities, and construction matters.

Risk Management, Litigation, and Compliance

• Provide legal guidance on significant claims, disputes, insurance matters, and organizational risks.
• Work with leadership and outside counsel on litigation and other legal disputes, including determining when specialized legal assistance is appropriate.
• Advise on regulatory requirements, child protection obligations, Safe Environment matters, and other significant compliance issues.
• Play a key role in helping ensure the Archdiocese fulfills and, where applicable, exceeds its commitments under the Non-Monetary Agreement arising from its bankruptcy proceedings, particularly those relating to the protection of children and vulnerable adults from abuse.

Outside Counsel and Legal Resources

• Maintain a productive working relationship with the Archdiocese's longstanding outside law firm and other specialized legal counsel.
• Determine when matters are appropriately handled internally and when outside legal assistance is warranted.
• Coordinate legal resources and provide appropriate continuity and communication regarding significant legal matters.

Qualifications and Experience

Required:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Active license to practice law in Louisiana and membership in good standing with the Louisiana State Bar Association.
• Minimum of 10 years of substantial legal practice experience.
• Demonstrated ability to provide sound legal advice, exercise independent judgment, and work effectively with senior organizational leadership.
• An appreciation for and personal commitment to the mission, teachings, and values of the Roman Catholic Church, including a willingness to live and conduct oneself in a manner consistent with those teachings and values.

Preferred:

• Broad legal experience, with exposure to several areas such as corporate and nonprofit governance, employment law, contracts, real estate, litigation, insurance, and regulatory compliance.
• Experience advising executives, boards, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, or other complex organizations.
• Prior in-house counsel, general counsel, or comparable law firm experience.
• Familiarity with Catholic institutions, religious organizations, or nonprofit organizations.

The successful candidate will demonstrate sound legal judgment, integrity, discretion, practical problem-solving ability, strong communication and interpersonal skills, and a commitment to professional excellence and service to the Church.

This position description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work associated with the position and is not an exhaustive listing of all responsibilities or qualifications.

Responsibilities may evolve as organizational needs require.