Senior Associate Attorney - Nonprofit Law

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Are you an experienced attorney who cares deeply about the quality of your work and the impact it has on the world?

For Purpose Law Group (FPLG) is a mission-driven law firm dedicated to serving nonprofit organizations, social enterprises, and other purpose-driven entities. Our team of experienced professionals helps organizations navigate complex legal challenges so they can focus on strengthening their communities.

We are seeking an experienced Senior Associate Attorney with a strong background in nonprofit and transactional law to provide thoughtful and practical legal guidance and regulatory compliance support to our clients. Active California bar admission is strongly preferred , as many of our clients operate in California and require California-specific legal guidance.

This role is ideal for attorneys who enjoy serving as steady, practical advisors to mission-driven organizations , who take ownership of their matters, and who take pride in delivering thoughtful, high-quality legal work within a collaborative team environment.

As a growing firm serving nonprofit organizations in California and across the country, our work requires thoughtful legal analysis, clear communication with clients, and the ability to translate complex legal requirements into practical guidance that helps organizations move their missions forward.

If you are looking for a place where you can build a sustainable legal career while doing meaningful work that supports organizations making a difference, we invite you to apply.

Our Core Values

At FPLG, our work is grounded in a set of core values that guide how we serve our clients and support one another as a team. We approach challenges with Proactive Resourcefulness , communicate with empathy and clarity through Compassionate Communication , and bring deep knowledge and confidence to our work through Unapologetic Expertise .

We believe strong teams are built through Inclusive Teamwork and by actively Building Our Community . We strive to create an environment where people feel connected, supported, and able to enjoy working together. Laughter is encouraged, collaboration is expected, and we recognize that we are all working toward shared goals.

We also value Uncompromising Authenticit y, encouraging our team members to show up as themselves while taking ownership of their work and responsibilities. Our team members support one another, communicate openly, and take pride in contributing to a professional environment built on trust, accountability, and mutual respect.

Compensation, Benefits, and Work Environment

For Purpose Law Group is intentionally structured differently from traditional law firms.

This is a full-time attorney role with a defined billing requirement that is intentionally lower than what is typical at many traditional law firms. This model allows our attorneys to focus on thoughtful, high-quality legal work while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

This structure reflects our belief that attorneys should be able to build meaningful and sustainable careers without the extreme billing pressures common in most firms. At the same time, attorneys are still expected to remain actively engaged in their matters, meet their billing expectations, and contribute consistently as full-time members of the team.

FPLG also offers an Attorney Incentive Bonus Program, providing additional compensation opportunities for attorneys who exceed their baseline performance expectations. The firm may also award discretionary bonuses based on overall performance and contributions to the success of the firm.

Full-time team members receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage with employer-paid medical premiums up to 99% (for Employees)
• Monthly health, wellness, and technology stipends
• Paid time off plus opportunities to earn additional paid time off throughout the year
• Home office reimbursement for remote employees
• Student loan assistance opportunities
• State Bar fee reimbursement and firm-sponsored CLE and conference opportunities
• Long-term career growth opportunities

Certain benefits and reimbursements are contingent upon maintaining good standing with the firm and meeting established billing expectations and key performance indicators.

About For Purpose Law Group

At For Purpose Law Group (FPLG), we are more than just a law firm. We are a team of dedicated advocates for the nonprofit sector.

Our mission is to empower nonprofits, social enterprises, and purpose-driven organizations by providing exceptional legal services rooted in integrity, expertise, and a deep commitment to building stronger communities.

Joining FPLG means becoming part of a collaborative, mission-driven environment where your expertise is valued, your growth is supported, and your work contributes to meaningful impact.

Requirements:

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school
• Active license to practice law in the United States, California bar admission strongly preferred
  • Attorneys licensed in other states are welcome to apply, particularly those with experience advising nonprofit organizations, but the ability to advise California clients is highly valuable for this role.
• Approximately 5 or more years of legal experience preferred , particularly in one or more of the following areas:
  • Nonprofit law, Corporate or transactional law, Corporate tax law, with experience advising tax-exempt organizations
• Experience advising nonprofit organizations, tax-exempt entities, or mission-driven businesses strongly preferred
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong attention to detail
• Strong organizational and project management skills
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a collaborative remote team environment
• Comfort using legal technology, case management systems, and digital collaboration tools

Key Responsibilities

• Advise nonprofit organizations and other mission-driven entities on legal and regulatory matters, including federal tax exemption, fundraising compliance, and corporate governance.
• Draft and review contracts, governance documents, and other legal agreements, including formation documents and applications for federal and state tax exemption.
• Guide clients on corporate governance, internal policies, and organizational best practices to support compliant and sustainable operations.
• Analyze legal risk and advise on appropriate organizational structures, including corporations, partnerships, joint ventures, and limited liability companies.
• Support clients in maintaining ongoing federal and state regulatory compliance.
• Provide counsel on operational legal matters such as employment considerations, intellectual property issues, and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in board discussions, administrative matters, or regulatory proceedings when appropriate.
• Delegate appropriate work to Associates, Junior Associates, and paralegals, ensuring tasks are assigned clearly, aligned with skill level, and executed efficiently.
• Review and oversee work product from Associates, Junior Associates, and paralegals, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and alignment with firm standards before client delivery.
• Provide ongoing mentorship and guidance to Associates and Junior Associates, supporting their professional development and strengthening overall team performance.

Expectations for Attorneys at FPLG

Attorneys at FPLG are trusted professionals who take ownership of their matters and actively move client work forward.

In this role you will:

• Conduct preliminary legal strategy sessions to assess client needs and develop practical legal strategies aligned with each organization’s goals
• Take ownership of assigned matters and proactively move them forward while maintaining the critical path to ensure efficient progress and timely completion.
  • Including ensuring matters are progressing efficiently across all contributors, maintaining visibility and accountability for work performed by Associates and Junior Associates.
• Advise clients at important decision points and present clear legal options that support informed decision-making.
• Maintain accurate documentation of client communications and matter progress
• Provide clear quotes or estimates for legal work when appropriate and communicate proactively with clients about scope and costs
• Meet monthly billing expectations and quarterly key performance indicators while maintaining efficient time management and consistently delivering high-quality legal work.
• Maintain strong billing discipline, ensuring billable time is tracked, recorded, and managed accurately and consistently in accordance with firm standards
• Collaborate with the legal team and broader firm to support a seamless client experience while contributing to a collaborative culture through knowledge sharing, training, engagement, and professional development.
• Proactively identify opportunities to leverage team capacity by delegating effectively.
• Serve as a go-to resource for Associates and Junior Associates, providing timely feedback, answering questions, and reinforcing firm systems, workflows, and quality standards.

Who Thrives at FPLG

Attorneys who thrive at For Purpose Law Group tend to share several key characteristics.

They take ownership of their work and approach their matters with a strong sense of responsibility and professionalism. Rather than waiting for direction at every step, they proactively move matters forward and serve as thoughtful advisors to clients navigating complex organizational decisions.

They are comfortable managing their workload while maintaining consistent productivity and meeting professional expectations. Our structure provides meaningful autonomy, and our most successful attorneys are those who take initiative and take pride in producing thoughtful, high-quality legal work.

They value collaboration and treat colleagues across all departments with respect and professionalism. Our work is highly team-oriented, and strong relationships within the firm are essential to providing an excellent client experience.

They are aligned with our mission and motivated by helping nonprofits and purpose-driven organizations succeed.

If you enjoy helping mission-driven organizations navigate complex legal decisions and want your work to directly support organizations making a real difference, we would love to hear from you.