Not-for-Profit Legal Careers: An In-Depth Look

The Not-for-Profit Legal Career Path

Not-for-profit legal jobs present unique opportunities for those looking to embrace challenges and stand out as valuable assets to an organization. The diversity of clientele and specialization opportunities offered create great working conditions, deep sense of satisfaction, and the ability to be part of something big. Yet, not-for-profit legal positions have their own set of challenges.
Specifically, non-profit lawyers find themselves dealing with 501(c)3, 501(c)4, and other tax-exempt models. Each category comes with its own set of rules, regulations, and unique needs. Not-for-profits may also have multiple entities under their umbrellas which leads to more opportunities to face a variety of needs. A tax-exempt organization may be called a non-profit, a charitable organization, or a community-based agency, but all of these entities work toward the same goal: a higher cause.
One example of an essential legal role for charitable groups is that of the in-house not-for-profit attorney. This legal professional provides counsel on topics such as governance, compliance, and related state and federal laws. Non-profit attorneys are also responsible for ensuring that any contracts and leases are in order for the organization. In-house counsel can provide guidance to the board of directors and help to prevent costly mistakes as they relate to non-profit tax status and other key issues.
Attorneys in issues dealing with contracts will need an extensive understanding of the types of grants that are available to non-profits and ways of acquiring them. Non-profit lawyers must have strong interpersonal skills as they often work with a lot of different people in and out of government .
In-house lawyers also work with administrators and other staff members to make sure that they should follow procedures as they relate to the non-profit’s mission. For example, if the organization aims to become a leader in a particular field, governmental rules and regulations could prevent them from becoming active in that area. The lawyer will also advise on how such issues can be dealt with.
However, it’s not all about the law and legal compliance. Non-profit law firms also do what all other law firms do to keep their clients happy: They provide the quality of service that leads to long-term relationships built on trust.
Beyond drafting contracts and paperwork, an attorney may also need to work with people in different fields to aid with their cases. For example, a non-profit lawyer might have a case against the local government for poor treatment of people with disabilities. In this situation, they could work with people in the personal injury, real estate, or other fields to put a case together.
Many not-for-profit legal jobs also involve considering land use. If the organization is involved in construction projects or the acquisition of property, the lawyer will have to look at zoning issues and discuss alternatives if development isn’t possible.
A number of non-profit lawyers work exclusively on immigration issues. These legal roles focus on helping displaced people get to and stay in a new country. For many, the entire point of non-profit work is to help others who may be facing rough situations. The primary difference between immigration lawyers that work for for-profit firms and those that work for non-profits is their bottom line.

The Perks of a Not-for-Profit Legal Career

The world of not-for-profit legal jobs is varied and diverse, as is true of the legal industry as a whole. There are many different types of not-for-profit legal roles, and therefore many advantages that go along with them. One thing they all have in common, however, is the potential they have to be incredibly fulfilling to not only the organization they represent, but also to the person who fills the position.
One of the biggest answers to why individuals choose not-for-profit legal jobs is the opportunity for personal fulfillment: helping those less fortunate than oneself or advocating on behalf of some extra-special cause. The vast majority of people who choose public interest work feel a sense of duty to society and a desire for emotional gratification by serving others.
Some other benefits to not-for-profit legal jobs include flexibility in working conditions. Individuals in public service may even see great work/life balance as well as excellent remote working opportunities. There is less internal competition in not-for-profit legal jobs than there is in corporate settings, which means employees generally enjoy a more collaborative work environment.
There also tends to be less red tape and more room for creativity. Not-for-profit legal jobs are often much more flexible than they are in the corporate world when it comes to creative problem-solving.
The ability to gain experience in a variety of legal areas is another benefit that comes with many not-for-profit legal jobs, as these opportunities frequently require lawyers to wear many different hats. You may be able to take on a greater role, interact with clients more often and assume a greater degree of responsibility.
While the compensation that comes with not-for-profit legal jobs tends to be lower, there are certain work environment considerations that make it worthwhile for many people. The key to being happy on the job isn’t making a mountain of money—it’s about being satisfied with the work you do every day.

Skills Required for Success

Success in the legal profession — not-for-profit law included — requires some essential skills. The most important for not-for-profit legal jobs are effective communication, empathy, and advocacy. Each of these skills requires a special focus on both the mission of non-profit law and the charity sector in general.
Effective Communication: In addition to communication skills in general, both verbal and written, not-for-profit legal jobs require advocates who approach with confidence and clarity. Sarbanes-Oxley requirements and other federal legislation place more demands on non-profits than ever before. Not-for-profit lawyers perform the vital work of communicating compliance requirements to boards of directors and other internal stakeholders. External constituents include not only donors, funders, and beneficiaries but all members of the public concerned about or interested in the work of your organization. As board members routinely comment, "We need to know how to say ‘no’ to donors," and "no" is never an easy word to speak. Because donor relations can be highly charged (e.g., when funders want to exert influence that doesn’t fit the non-profit’s mission), strong communication skills are called for, especially when communicating declines. Clear communication is vital in tight times that we have now, especially when it comes to down-sizing, rightsizing, layoffs, and job reductions.
Empathy: When it comes to not-for-profit legal jobs, the ability to empathize is what can set one candidate apart from another. Non-profit organizations exist to help others solve problems or pursue causes. In the course of day-to-day business, many lawyers receive personal feedback from grateful clients who have benefited from their help. Non-profit lawyers receive that feedback, too, but in a more powerful way. They enjoy a level of personal satisfaction that no other lawyers have ever experienced from their one-time clients. Non-profit lawyers may be called on to help victims of violence, counsel the homeless, or fight for the rights of the disabled. Empathy is also important at the organizational level; non-profit lawyers must be able to connect with their organization’s mission wholeheartedly and to listen to the needs of their commissioners, boards, and other nonprofit executives so that they can be effective in their advocacy roles for their organization’s clients.
Advocacy: Advocacy is the act of supporting or advising, aid, or intercession. To advocate means to recommend or argue in favor of something, to plead for, to defend or maintain by argument or to support by argument. Not-for-profit lawyers are generally called on to advocate for 501(c)(3) tax exemptions on behalf of their client organizations, to defend their rights and represent them in litigation, and to defend their freedom of practice and donors’ philanthropic choices. Some key legal specializations can also be useful in practicing not-for-profit law or related to not-for-profit legal jobs, including laws specific to tax exempt organizations, conscience and religious freedom laws, and laws pertaining to the advancement of civil society in repressive regimes.

Where Not-for-Profit Legal Jobs are Found

Many job boards are available to those who are in the not-for-profit industry. It is important that you regularly check the career pages for your favorite local, state and national organizations to see if any of them have posted any relevant opportunities. Some of these entities post unpaid or work for donation opportunities. Those who operate nonprofits are always looking for assistance, including legal help.
In addition to your favorite industry organizations, some other good resources to identify not-for-profit legal jobs include: Networking events and groups related to the non-profit sector. Although the majority of these networks target individuals who work in the direct service side of non-profits, many are open to lawyers. If you get a name or lead regarding a not-for-profit opportunity within one of these groups, it is important to have a referral or contact person within the organization to speak to at the non-profit to ask for more information about the opportunity. Similarly , speaking at or attending relevant seminars or conferences where you can meet not-for-profit staff and board members is also a way to make contacts in the non-profit world.
Professional associations for lawyer with a focus on non-profit law. Associations and network groups that target lawyers who practice in the non-profit realm are a good way to build a name for yourself and to learn about the trends in the non-profit legal community. Some of these groups will also feature job opportunities for lawyers and specific boards of directors.
Websites that feature non-profit board openings. Occasionally not-for-profit organizations will post their board openings online. If you find a non-profit law job on one of these boards and the name of an individual or contact is provided, be sure to follow up with them using your best communication skills.

The Challenges of Not-for-Profit Careers

The allure of a job at a not-for-profit often comes with compensation that can be significantly less than what a private firm offers. While some candidates insist that they would be willing to take a pay cut (sometimes upwards of 20% of their current salaries) for the opportunity, it is important to note that such steep concessions may not be necessary. Compensation varies greatly between 501 (c) (3)s and, generally, larger non-profit organizations (which may have more fiscal resources) compensate their attorneys and legal staff more generously than smaller, new or regional groups. And, as with most workplaces, large market rates still apply for large organizations located in legal hubs like New York City and Washington DC.
Other challenges can include limited resources in terms of both staffing and budgeting. Smaller organizations are often run by just a handful of overworked individuals who wear many hats, including legal and administrative hats. Groups often expect legal professionals to help with the administrative load of their organizations, from basic record keeping and filing to research and administrative tasks. One way to overcome these inter-organization challenges is to seek a position at a larger organization, where you can focus solely on your legal responsibilities. Larger groups often hire outside of their organizations (consultants) to help with administrative duties, understand the importance of providing attorneys with the time to focus mainly on their legal work, and work hard to ensure that their attorneys do not suffer from burnout.
Another potential problem for those in the not-for-profit sector is the level of intervention by other departments, which can result in legal professionals losing their competitive edge. Non-profit lawyers often have more advancement potential with large groups than small ones, but managing their non-legal departments can become onerous when they have to jump back and forth between legal and non-legal issues and work with limited resources. One solution may be to enforce organizational boundaries that solidify your role as a legal professional, rather than an administrative liaison. Consider speaking with hiring decision-makers about their expectations and policies prior to taking the position, and clearly establish before you accept the position that your primary responsibility is to serve as the legal counsel for the organization.

Miscellaneous Organizations that Offer Career Options

A wide range of not-for-profit and academic organizations regularly seek lawyers for legal positions. The following high-profile entities regularly have in-house employment opportunities for lawyers and sometimes recruit in multiple markets at once:
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU): The ACLU is a nonprofit organization that takes on civil liberties cases and seeks to ensure constitutional rights. It pursues cases involving a large spectrum of issues, including free speech, criminal law, immigration, reproductive rights, religious freedom, racial justice, and much more. The ACLU has lawyers working in almost every state, and its litigation projects tackle a range of issues.
Human Rights Watch: Human Rights Watch is a nonprofit organization focused on creating public awareness regarding threats to human rights in a variety of locations globally. The organization pursues fact-finding investigations and mobilizes resources in dozens of countries, bringing issues to the attention of the public and international policymakers. Human Rights Watch also prosecutes its own cases in certain circumstances .
Equal Justice Works: Equal Justice Works is a nonprofit group that helps recruit lawyers for law schools and public interest employers through its pro bono recruiting forum. Equal Justice Works also sponsors a fellowship and student funding program and serves as a resource center for educational information on public interest law and careers.
Teach For America: Teach For America recruits recent college graduates to teach underprivileged students in underserved communities. Those placed in teaching positions sign on for two years, with the ultimate goal being to help grow students into leaders. The organization aims to close the achievement gap in education, and many of those who join Teach For America end up pursuing careers in public interest law and other fields dedicated to social justice.
KIPP: KIPP is a network of charter schools that helps prepare low-income students for higher education. Many KIPP alumni go on to attend top colleges and universities. As part of their teaching commitment, KIPP teachers also find ways to better their students’ families, and some ultimately become mentors and advocates for their students on legal and public policy issues.