Legal Counsel

## Who We Are

The Trust for Public Land (TPL) is the leader of a movement to connect everyone in America to the outdoors. A national nonprofit, TPL partners with communities to create high‑quality parks and protect public lands—especially in communities that need them most—to improve public health, create social cohesion, strengthen historic and cultural connection to place, and increase climate resilience.

Since 1972, TPL has protected more than 4 million acres of public land, created more than 5,500 parks, trails, schoolyards, and iconic outdoor places, generated over $112 billion in public funding for parks and public lands, and connected nearly 10 million people to the outdoors. To learn more, visit TPL.

## Position Summary

Working as part of a team of attorneys and legal assistants, this position will provide legal support to advance The Trust for Public Land’s field programs, primarily in the States of California and Hawaii—acquiring, creating, and improving parks, trails, community schoolyards, and public lands.

Primary responsibilities include working with staff to structure, document, and complete parks and conservation projects and transactions that are legally sound and consistent with The Trust for Public Land’s mission, authority, policies, and procedures.

Hybrid preferred; remote candidates will be considered.

## Essential Functions

– **Project Support** — Assists project/program staff in designing, negotiating, and completing parks‑ and conservation‑related projects and transactions.
– **Land Transaction Documents** — Drafts and reviews land transaction documents such as purchase & sale agreements, option agreements, donation agreements, professional services agreements, restrictive use easements, conservation easements, and other documents for implementation of land protection transactions, including due diligence contracts and closing documents.
– **Procurement & Contract Review** — Drafts and reviews MOU’s, RFP’s, procurement packages, grant proposals and agreements, design and construction contracts, and contracts with public agencies; ensures compliance with laws, existing agreements, public policy, and internal protocols.
– **Negotiations** — Participates with staff in landowner, stakeholder, consultant, and public agency negotiations.
– **Project Issue Guidance** — Advises and assists staff on project‑ and transaction‑related issues, including delays, variations, defects, insurance, bond claims, post‑completion administration, real estate closings, and property management.
– **Mission‑Related Legal Support** — Advises and assists with other mission‑related legal issues as needed.

## Required Qualifications

– Strong commitment to TPL’s shared values (Belonging, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Hope) and mission.
– Admission to California state bar, and 3+ years in practice.
– Minimum of 3 years applicable experience in the following areas:
– **Client Advising** — Advising clients to meet business objectives and develop practical solutions within defined policies and practices while managing legal risk.
– **Independent Judgment** — Aptitude for independent work and sound judgment.
– **Legal Drafting** — Ability to draft quality legal documents quickly and respond promptly to staff needs.
– **Interpersonal Skills** — Sense of humor and composure when working with diverse personalities and work styles.
– **Influence & Collaboration** — Ability to change thinking or gain acceptance in sensitive situations.
– **Issue Anticipation** — Ability to anticipate problems and identify issues in advance.
– **Problem‑Solving** — Results‑oriented and creative in problem‑solving.
– **Multi‑Jurisdiction Work** — Comfortable managing multiple projects in a decentralized environment.
– Excellent written and oral communication skills.

## Preferred Qualifications

– Real estate transactional experience, including due diligence for property acquisitions (title work, boundary surveys, environmental site assessments).
– Familiarity with municipal and state law, real estate law, federal grants, and working with tax‑exempt organizations and public agencies.
– Construction law experience, including drafting and negotiation of AIA forms and other design and construction contracts.
– Understanding of critical path planning from conceptual design through construction close‑out.
– Hybrid preferred; remote candidates will be considered.

## Compensation

The Trust for Public Land is a hybrid work environment, and this role will ideally be located near a TPL office. As a full‑time employee, you will be eligible for TPL’s comprehensive benefits program, including medical, dental, and vision insurance; vacation and sick pay plus holidays; a year‑end office closure; and a 403(b) retirement plan with up to a 7% company match.

Salaries are competitive and commensurate with experience. The anticipated hiring range for this position is **$100,000 to $120,000 per year DOE**.

The Trust for Public Land is committed to being an inclusive and equitable workplace. The organization welcomes candidates with diverse backgrounds and multicultural skillsets. If you believe you are the right person for this job—even if you do not meet every listed criterion—you are encouraged to apply.

Apply here