Office of General Counsel
OSI-New York

Application Deadline: May 23, 2008

The Open Society Institute (OSI), a private operating and grant making foundation based in New York City, aims to shape public policy to promote democratic governance, human rights, and economic, legal, and social reform. On a local level, OSI implements a range of initiatives to support the rule of law, education, public health, and independent media. At the same time, OSI works to build alliances across borders and continents on issues such as combating corruption and rights abuses.

OSI was created in 1993 by investor and philanthropist George Soros to support his foundations in Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. Those foundations were established, starting in 1984, to help countries make the transition from communism. OSI has expanded the activities of the Soros foundations network to other areas of the world where the transition to democracy is of particular concern. The Soros foundations network encompasses more than 60 countries, including the United States.

Position Description

The Office of the General Counsel is an extremely busy office with two attorneys working on a wide range of matters that include: exempt organizations law, including compliance with tax laws and regulations applicable to private foundations; advising with respect to domestic and international grant making; advising management with respect to governance and compliance policies; general corporate advice, including creation and administration of not-for-profit entities in the US and abroad; commercial/ transactional practice, including structuring, negotiating, and documenting business transactions in the US and abroad; advising with respect to employment law matters; advising on intellectual property issues, including licenses and trademark protection; and advising with respect to real estate matters. The Office of the General Counsel is looking for someone with eight to ten years of US law firm or in-house experience (or equivalent) with general corporate/commercial/transactional/ intellectual property experience, who is interested in becoming an all-purpose generalist in our in-house legal department. We would especially welcome candidates with experience working in the exempt organizations field, particularly in the private foundation context.

Qualifications

• Candidate must have a J.D. degree from an accredited law school and must be admitted to practice in New York State (or willing to be admitted);
• Eight to ten years of US law firm or in-house experience (or equivalent) in general corporate/commercial/transactional/intellectual property area, with exempt organizations experience preferred;
• Demonstrated ability to learn quickly and to work independently;
• Excellent communication (verbal and written) skills; superior organizational skills;
• and strong interpersonal skills;
• The ability to travel internationally;
• Ability to transact business in Russian preferred but not required;
• Demonstrated commitment to public interest law required;
• Pleasant, diplomatic manner and disposition when interacting with program management, colleagues at all levels, attorneys, external contacts and the general public;
• Integrity, discretion and ability to handle confidential matters;
• Excellent contract drafting and negotiating skills;
• Excellent issue identification and problem-solving skills;
• Excellent judgment and initiative in selecting the most effective solutions;
• Must have practical, business-oriented approach to problem-solving, tempered by an
• appreciation for legal complexity and risk;
• Must be detail-oriented and resourceful with excellent follow-through skills;
• The ability to work under pressure and must be able to manage workload, prioritize, manage simultaneous tasks, and meet deadlines within a changing fast-paced environment; and
• Commitment to excellence and to working as a member of a team, and establishing and maintaining harmonious working relationships.

Compensation

OSI offers a challenging, and enriching work environment. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. Benefits are excellent, including four weeks vacation and five personal days per year, a superb deferred compensation and health plan, transit and lunch benefits.

To Apply

Please fax or email a cover letter and resume before 5/23/08 to:

Ricardo A. Castro
General Counsel
Open Society Institute
400 West 59th Street , 4^th Floor
New York , N.Y. 10019

Email: GCOffice@sorosny.org or Fax: 212-548-4665

No telephone inquiries please. The Open Society Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

For additional information about OSI, please visit our web page at www.soros.org.