General Counsel

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Brookhaven Laboratory (BNL) is seeking an in-house General Counsel to provide comprehensive legal counsel and advice across all elements of the Laboratory’s mission and operations.   The General Counsel is responsible for overseeing the legal affairs of the laboratory, providing strategic legal advice to the management team, and advising on compliance with federal, state, and local laws.  The General Counsel reports to the Laboratory Director, is a member of the Senior Leadership Council, works closely with the Department of Energy (DOE), and serves as the board secretary for Brookhaven Science Associates, the LLC that manages and operates BNL on behalf of DOE.

Key Responsibilities:

• Legal Advice and Counsel:
  • Provide advice and support to the Laboratory Director and senior management on legal issues, including contracts, intellectual property, tech transfer and commercialization, employment law, regulatory compliance, environmental issues and government contracting.
  • Advise laboratory leadership on compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
  • Develop and implement legal policies and procedures to mitigate risks and ensure effective governance.

• Contract Negotiation:
  • Oversee the drafting, negotiation, and review of complex contracts, agreements, and other legal documents with partners and government agencies.

• Litigation Management: 
  • Lead the legal response to litigation, manage and coordinate all litigation, including working with outside counsel as necessary.
  • Identify strategies to minimize litigation risk.

• Leadership / Stakeholder Engagement:
  • Manage a team of attorneys with expertise in employment law, contracts, intellectual property and procurement.
  • Develop strong relationships with key stakeholders, such as DOE-HQ’s General Counsel’s office, the Brookhaven Site Office, Brookhaven Science Associates, auditors and elected officials, as well as General Counsels across the DOE National Laboratory Complex.
  • Represent the Laboratory in critical activities, including: litigation, hearings before administrative judges, third party investigations, regulatory and enforcement agencies.
  • Maintain knowledge of the laboratory’s operations and legal documents.
  • Manage the legal department's budget and resources efficiently.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school
• Admission to the bar and in good standing, in compliance with New York State Bar rules for in-house counsel
• A minimum of 15 years of legal experience
• Demonstrated ability to identify and mitigate legal risks
• Excellent analytical, negotiation, interpersonal, and communication skills
• Prior experience with motion practice, discovery dispute, and trial preparation
• Proven ability to manage complex legal issues and provide practical, strategic advice
• Proven leadership skills with the ability to manage complex legal matters and a legal team
• Ability to think critically and provide strategic legal guidance that aligns with the laboratory's goals and objectives
• High ethical standards and commitment to integrity
• Must have or be able to obtain a Q security clearance.
• Ability to relocate to Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, New York.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in a scientific or research environment
• Litigation experience
• Government contracting experience
• Experience as in-house counsel in a DOE national lab, Federally Funded Research and Development Center, or similar environment

About Brookhaven

Brookhaven National Laboratory accelerates pathways to scientific discovery and technological innovation that transform the world. Brookhaven Lab is a multidisciplinary laboratory with seven Nobel Prize-winning discoveries, over 40 R&D 100 Awards, and more than 75 years of pioneering research. The Lab is primarily supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science. Brookhaven Science Associates (BSA) operates and manages the Laboratory for DOE. BSA is a partnership between Battelle and The Research Foundation for the State University of New York on behalf of Stony Brook University.

Brookhaven Lab is home to one of the world’s largest existing particle accelerators and is constructing the future Electron-Ion Collider. The Lab also hosts one of the brightest x-ray synchrotrons in the world, the Center for Functional Nanomaterials, the quantum information science Center for Co-Design for Quantum Advantage, the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory, and produces radioisotopes for medical uses, as well as many other science programs.  The Scientific Data and Computing Center stores 300 PB of data, which is the largest tape archive in the U.S. for nuclear and particle physics, and third in terms of scientific data overall.  Brookhaven has a staff of more than 3000 scientists, engineers, technicians, and support, and hosts more than 7,000 guests and users annually.

Fundamental elements of the Laboratory's role in support of the DOE strategic missions in science, energy, national security and environmental management are given by our strategic initiatives:

• Understanding the Building Blocks of the Universe
• Leading in Discovery with Light-Enabled Science
• Developing Next-Generation Information Science and Technologies
• Advancing Energy Security and Essential Resources.

Brookhaven National Laboratory requires all non-badged personnel including visitors to produce a REAL-ID or REAL-ID compliant documentation to access Brookhaven National Laboratory – view more information at www.bnl.gov/real-id.  This is due to nationwide identification requirements for federal site access as required by the federal REAL ID Act.  Those not in possession of a REAL ID-compliant document will not be permitted to access the site which includes access to the Laboratory for interviews. 

About Us

Brookhaven National Laboratory (www.bnl.gov) delivers discovery science and transformative technology to power and secure the nation’s future. Brookhaven Lab is a multidisciplinary laboratory with seven Nobel Prize-winning discoveries, 37 R&D 100 Awards, and more than 70 years of pioneering research. The Lab is primarily supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science. Brookhaven Science Associates (BSA) operates and manages the Laboratory for DOE. BSA is a partnership between Battelle and The Research Foundation for the State University of New York on behalf of Stony Brook University. BSA salutes our veterans and active military members with careers that leverage the skills and unique experience they gained while serving our country, learn more at BNL | Opportunities for Veterans at Brookhaven National Laboratory.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

Brookhaven Science Associates is an equal opportunity employer that values inclusion and diversity at our Lab. We are committed to ensuring that all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, status as a veteran, disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.  BSA takes affirmative action in support of its policy and to advance in employment individuals who are minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities. We ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.  *VEVRAA Federal Contractor

BSA employees are subject to restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Programs, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation at the time of hire for review by Brookhaven. The full text of the Order may be found at: https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives-documents/400-series/0486.1-BOrder-a/@@images/file