General Counsel

Overview

Radio Free Asia (RFA) is an independent, nonprofit news organization dedicated to providing accurate, uncensored news to audiences in countries where a free press does not exist.

RFA operates from Washington, D.C. and is funded through a federal grant from the U.S. Agency for Global Media. The organization faces complex legal, regulatory, and geopolitical challenges while delivering journalism across Asia.

To navigate these challenges, RFA seeks a General Counsel (GC) who will serve as chief legal advisor and strategic partner to the President, Board, and senior leadership.

Role Summary

The GC will lead all legal matters: governance, employment, labor, contracts, litigation, intellectual property, federal grant compliance, insurance, and media‑related litigation. The GC will also advise on press freedom, censorship, reputational risk, and international operations.

The GC will serve as Corporate Secretary, manage outside counsel, and work closely with the Board on governance. The GC must bring strategic legal leadership, sound judgment, and operational resilience.

Responsibilities

Key Near‑Term Priorities

• Serve as strategic advisor to the President and senior leadership during 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 federal grants, labor and employment, international operations, and media‑related legal risks.
• Support evolution of organizational policies and practices to ensure compliance while enabling operational effectiveness.
• Partner closely with the Board and its committees to maintain strong governance and accountability.
• Navigate emerging legal, regulatory, and geopolitical developments affecting international journalism and press freedom.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal counsel and enterprise‑wide guidance
  • Serve as chief legal advisor on governance, non‑profit, employment, immigration, contracts, litigation, intellectual property, federal grants, insurance, and regulatory compliance.
  • Conduct legal research and deliver business‑focused guidance to support decision making.
  • Interpret U.S. and international laws relevant to RFA’s operations.
  • Advise on press freedom and censorship matters.
  • Provide guidance on copyright, licensing, trademarks, discipline, and risk mitigation.
• Ensure strong governance and compliance practices
  • Serve as Corporate Secretary, manage board records and minutes.
  • Counsel on governance, conflicts of interest, and policies.
  • Oversee conflict‑of‑interest disclosures.
  • Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and international laws and regulations.
  • Provide training on EEO compliance, copyright, and fair use.
• Oversee legal risk management and external counsel
  • Develop proactive strategies to identify and manage risks.
  • Oversee insurance programs and risk management practices.
  • Represent RFA in legal proceedings and coordinate strategy.
  • Select, retain, and manage outside counsel and specialized resources.
  • Collaborate with the Director of Journalist Safety on employee protection.
  • Ensure efficient handling of legal matters aligned with priorities.
• Support labor and employment matters
  • Partner with the COO on labor relations and collective bargaining.
  • Counsel on staff, contractors, and international personnel matters.
  • Develop and implement risk‑mitigating policies.
• Review contracts and legal agreements
  • Lead negotiation and review of contracts, leases, and other documents.
  • Recommend revisions and strategies to mitigate risk.
  • Ensure protections for vendors, contractors, partners, and service providers.
• Maintain legal expertise and organizational partnerships
  • Monitor emerging trends in nonprofit, media, labor, and federal grant law.
  • Build relationships with leaders, staff, outside counsel, and Board members.
  • Participate in board meetings and organizational activities as needed.

Qualifications

Candidate Profile

Commitment to independent journalism and freedom of expression and a genuine appreciation for RFA’s mission.

Strategic Legal Leadership

Seasoned legal executive with deep technical expertise, business judgment, and a strategic perspective.

Governance & Board Partnership

Significant experience advising boards on governance, policy, and fiduciary matters. Executive presence and credibility with Board members and senior leaders.

Global Perspective and Media Fluency

Experience with media organizations, international operations, or federally funded institutions and expertise in law, journalism, public policy, and geopolitics.

Risk Management and Sound Judgment

Exceptional judgment, high ethical standards, ability to navigate ambiguity, and manage reputational risk.

Collaborative Leadership and Influence

Excellent relationship building, influence without authority, clear communication, and willingness to engage in hands‑on work.

Intellectual Curiosity and Learning Agility

Commitment to continuous learning, staying abreast of developments in employment law, nonprofit governance, grant regulations, media law, and international operations.

Change Leadership and Organizational Agility

Resilience, flexibility, and emotional intelligence to lead through uncertainty and transformation.

Personal Characteristics

Unquestioned integrity, pragmatism, collaboration, resilience, adaptability, and mentoring ability.

Additional Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school and active membership in a state bar (DC bar if required).
• Minimum fifteen years of progressively responsible legal experience.
• Experience operating in international environments and navigating cross‑border legal issues.
• Demonstrated experience in employment and labor law, litigation, corporate governance, intellectual property, contracts, nonprofit law, federal grant compliance, media law, or regulatory affairs.
• Experience managing outside counsel and legal budgets.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience in complex, rapidly changing, high‑visibility environments.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and virtual collaboration tools.
• Willingness to travel periodically for Board meetings and organizational priorities.
• Knowledge of nonprofit governance, board governance, corporate compliance, and regulatory reporting requirements.
• Experience with federal grant compliance and U.S. government funding regulations.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The range is $195,000–$220,000 with a generous benefits package.

Equal Opportunity Employer

RFA is an equal‑opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce and encourages all qualified individuals to apply. Employment is contingent upon proof of authorization to work in the United States. RFA reserves the right to reconsider or withdraw any offer of employment if the candidate’s authorization would require petition or related documentation.