Corporate Counsel

Position Summary

California Farm Bureau seeks an experienced Corporate Counsel to provide legal advice, legal information, and strategic counsel on a wide range of corporate governance, employment, nonprofit, and contract matters affecting a statewide agricultural membership organization. The ideal candidate will have strong expertise in California labor and employment law affecting agricultural operations, as well as in corporate law, nonprofit governance, contract negotiation, contract drafting and review, and regulatory compliance. This position will play a key role in supporting organizational leadership and county Farm Bureaus while advancing the mission of California Farm Bureau.

The ideal candidate will bring a positive, solutions-oriented approach; a collaborative mindset; and a strong commitment to teamwork, building effective partnerships across the organization and contributing to a supportive, high-performing work environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Corporate Governance & Nonprofit Compliance

• Advise leadership and boards on corporate governance matters, fiduciary duties, and organizational compliance.
• Draft, review, and revise bylaws, governance policies, resolutions, and board procedures.
• Counsel executive leadership regarding nonprofit corporate laws and regulations.
• Provide guidance on parliamentary procedures, including those recommended by American Institute of Parliamentarians, and board meeting protocols.
• Support board and committee meetings, governance initiatives, and organizational decision-making.
• Ensure compliance with California nonprofit corporation requirements and related reporting obligations.

Labor, Employment & Agricultural Legal Support

• Monitor, interpret, and analyze legislative and regulatory developments affecting California agriculture and employment practices, including support for FELS employment law intelligence through timely legal research, issue tracking, and practical guidance on emerging labor and employment matters.
• Analyze legal and regulatory issues impacting California farmers, ranchers, agricultural employers, and county Farm Bureaus.
• Advise county Farm Bureaus and agricultural stakeholders on California labor, employment, and agricultural laws and regulations.
• Partner with the California Farm Bureau Federation HR team to provide employment-related guidance and resources to county Farm Bureaus.

Tax-Exempt & Regulatory Compliance

• Provide legal oversight regarding requirements for federal and California nonprofit tax-exempt organizations.
• Support preparation and review of nonprofit filings, including IRS and California reporting obligations.
• Collaborate with finance and external advisors regarding compliance matters, audits, and tax-related issues.
• Monitor regulatory developments affecting nonprofit/tax-exempt and agricultural organizations.

Contracts & Business Transactions

• Draft, review, negotiate, and manage a broad range of contracts, including:
• Vendor agreements
• Service contracts
• Sponsorship agreements
• Licensing agreements
• Real estate and facility agreements
• Technology and software contracts
• Identify and mitigate legal, financial, and operational risks in contractual arrangements.
• Develop contract templates and best practices for organizational use.

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in good standing with the State Bar of California.
• Minimum of 3–7 years of legal experience in corporate law, nonprofit law, labor and employment law, or a combination thereof.
• Significant experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts.
• Strong knowledge of:
• California corporate law
• Nonprofit governance
• California labor and employment law
• Board governance and parliamentary procedures
• Tax-exempt organizations and compliance requirements
• Intellectual property law
• Political campaign law
• Lobbying law
• Exceptional legal research, analytical, and writing skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate complex legal concepts to non-lawyers and organizational leaders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience representing agricultural, membership-based, trade association, or nonprofit organizations.
• Knowledge of issues affecting California agriculture and rural communities.
• Experience advising boards of directors and executive leadership teams.
• Familiarity with California charitable registration requirements and nonprofit tax filings.
• Experience supporting legislative, regulatory, or public policy initiatives.

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking and business judgment
• Collaboration and relationship-building
• Risk assessment and problem-solving
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Sound judgment, integrity, and discretion

Salary Range: $115,000.00 to $135,000.00 yearly

Employees may be eligible to work remotely up to two days per week after successfully completing 90 days of employment.

California Farm Bureau is an Equal Opportunity Employer