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General Counsel  

Background   Circular Action Alliance (CAA), a 501(c)3, is poised to be a leader in changing how packaging is designed, responsibly managed and given a second life in a circular economy. CAA became the first U.S. Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) for paper and packaging in 2023, and in less than a year was selected by California, Colorado, and Maryland to represent producers and meet the requirements of their laws. The organization is poised to deliver best-in-class compliance services, scale innovation, and build systems that help both companies and consumers waste less and recycle more in these states, and in other states that have passed or will pass EPR laws in the future.  

Working with CAA presents an opportunity to be on the front edge of recycling system innovations that will have a meaningful and lasting impact. As a member of the CAA team, you will support the organization’s mission-driven work with our 20 Founding Members who are leaders in the food, beverage, consumer goods, and retail industries; companies (“producers”) whose packaging will be managed under these new laws; and a diverse array of stakeholders whose collaboration will be critical to delivering on the requirements of U.S. EPR laws and creating a circular economy for paper and packaging. We are looking for passionate, mission-driven, big thinkers to help us realize CAA’s full potential under the nation’s first EPR laws, but also someone who is a “hands-on” practical attorney.  

Purpose of this Position   This position is a new role at the organization. The General Counsel is a crucial leadership role that oversees the legal matters of CAA.  This role will lead all aspects of the legal needs of a scaling non-profit. This includes implementing strong anti-trust compliance protocols, contract development with producers and vendors, protecting intellectual property, ensuring compliance with passed regulations, developing, and implementing systems for legal document and information retention, managing litigation, interpreting state and local regulations, coordinate and oversee external counsel engagements and helping the leadership team develop and execute the company strategy. This senior role will oversee legal matters at the national level and will support state-specific needs in states where CAA operates as the PRO.  

The leader will be responsible for building a strong team or in house and/or external counsel and shaping and maintaining a positive and productive work culture that aligns with CAA’s mission, vision, and values. This role will report to the Chief Executive Officer once that position is hired, but to the Project Lead of CAA in the interim.    Key Deliverables for the Role:   Environmental Compliance and Regulations:  

• Collaborate with the CEO and Leadership to help ensure the company is complying with state and federal policies.  
• Interpret state laws for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and advise the project team in making informed business decisions. 
• Support the project team in strategies to engage regulators including future potential advocacy or lobbying efforts. 
• Review future laws for EPR and provide insight and suggestions for enhancing future legislation. 
• Manage the potential anti-trust issues inherent in a company managed by a Board of Directors consisting of representatives of companies that compete with one another. 

Contract Management and Protecting Company Information:  

• Lead the overall contract development program for CAA for producers, vendors, and service providers. 
• Assist the project team in development membership models and develop membership agreements for producers to register and be part of CAA. 
• Develop contracts with producers for ongoing startup operations, funding, and for future service offerings of CAA. 
• Review contracts for service providers and advise CAA on key risks and mitigation approaches. 
• Develop a process for managing hundreds of potential concurrent contracts for recycling services in the states in which CAA will contract directly with service providers and communities. 
• Manage all of CAA’s litigation and oversees external counsel and contracts. 
• Develop relationships and secure efficient and cost-effective outside counsel as needed. 
• Develop appropriate agreements and policies to ensure CAA’s intellectual property and confidential information is protected. 

Human Resources & Governance Support: 

• Work in partnership with the CEO and the Executive Team to shape overall strategy, help set goals and organizational priorities, and resolve key business challenges.  
• Support the Board of Directors in fulfilling their fiduciary and legal responsibilities as board members.  
• Develop appropriate governance structures and agreements between the state and national boards. 
• Support the development of future state boards for future states CAA chooses to engage in as the PRO. 
• Support the development of business models, structures, and new service offerings for CAA.  
• Support HR in compliance and personnel matters. 
• Advise and support in development of HR and company documents, policies, procedures, and practices.  

  Experience and Professional Qualifications:  

• At least 15 years of combined experience as a practicing attorney in the areas of contracts, regulatory compliance, corporate governance, and non-profit law.  
• Experience developing contracts and membership agreements preferred.  
• Experience with non-profit law and startup of new organizations preferred.  
• Demonstrated ability to build, develop, lead, and engage strong teams, with direct or indirect reporting lines including remote teams.  
• Ability to work under pressure and address escalations and situations as they occur, making appropriate decisions.  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.  
• Diplomacy in dealing with sensitive information or situations.  
• Commitment to environmental conservation and a passion for creating a positive impact on the planet.  
• Ability to work in a dynamic environment for rapid pace and with flexibility.  
• Environmental NGO experience a plus but not required.  
• Good standing membership in at least one State Bar Association. 
• Familiarity with anti-trust preferred. 

  Compensation and Other Information:  

• Location: Initially Fully Remote (future location TBD).  Note, there is no corporate office at the present time. 
• The actual base salary offered to a successful candidate will be based on a variety of factors in accordance with applicable law, including the successful candidate’s relevant experience, skills, knowledge, and work location. Additional Incentive Awards will be offered in addition to the base salary conditional upon meeting certain performance factors, as set forth more fully in any offer of employment made. In addition to base salary and an incentive opportunity, this role is eligible for medical, dental, and vision benefits, life insurance, retirement plan, and paid time off. 

• Circular Action Alliance is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), national origin, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you require accommodation as part of the application process, please contact careers@circularaction.org. 

• For questions, please email careers@circularactionalliance.org