Attorney for Agriculture & Environment

Position Title:  Attorney for Agriculture & Environment

Department:  Legal 

Reports to:   1) President, Advocacy, Law and Public Policy Division, and

                      2) General Counsel & SVP Legal

Primary Purpose of the Position: 

Provide regulatory counseling and litigation management regarding legal, policy, and regulatory matters for the Agriculture and Environment groups at BIO. This advocacy counseling primarily involves any litigation and regulatory activities related to USDA, EPA and FDA, as well as any related legislative and advocacy activities. 

Also serve as in-house counsel providing legal services for the organization, including supervising compliance and contractual matters, as well as training for BIO attorneys and staff.

Responsibilities:

1. Provide legal assistance, training and supervision, as needed, on contracts and compliance, as well as state, federal, and international legislative, regulatory, and trade-related matters for BIO on non-health matters, including evaluating and developing comments on regulatory proposals, proposed legislation, and other documents.
2. Serve as legal counsel to the Agriculture and Environment groups at BIO, including regulatory counsel and support, litigation management and support, antitrust counsel, corporate legal support, and advice and support on governance and compliance issues.
3. Serve as counsel to section Boards for Agriculture and Environment, and all related staff-level committees, work streams and working groups.
4. Provide legal assistance on voluntary industry self-regulatory initiatives (e.g., product stewardship and transparency) and communication campaigns related to Agriculture and Environment. 
5. Manage the efficient use of outside counsel within all of the above subject matters.
6. Assist with other legal activities of the organization, as requested by the General Counsel (GC) and/or the President, Advocacy, Law and Public Policy Division. 
7. This attorney position will report to the Division President for all policy, regulatory and legislative matters, and to the GC for administrative, contract, legal compliance, and any litigation matters.

Requirements:

• Knowledge of trade association-specific law (including antitrust and consumer protection), as well as contracts, compliance, and general legislative and regulatory advocacy laws.
• Knowledge of the regulatory and legal framework for agricultural biotechnology, and/or industrial biotechnology (including renewable fuels, bio-based products, and/or bio-based chemicals) under the Plant Protection Act, the relevant Food  and Drug laws, the Clean Air Act, TSCA, FIFRA, and any other relevant environmental laws.
• Knowledge of state and federal regulatory/legislative processes, including administrative law principles and procedures, and experience with environmental or other litigation involving government entities.
• Knowledge of the biotechnology industry strongly preferred.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively and accurately with other BIO staff, member companies, Board members, regulatory agency personnel, and internal and external counsel for other entities and organizations.
• Strong inter-personal skills, and the ability to build consensus and foster compromise among sometimes competing interests.
• The ability to work efficiently under tight deadlines.
• Excellent academic credentials, including J.D. degree.
• Admission in good standing to the District of Columbia (DC) bar or, alternatively, admission to the bar of another U.S. jurisdiction and ability to gain admission to the DC bar as needed.
• At least five (5) years of relevant legal experience required, preferably including, or in addition to, experience in a trade association, member company, government regulatory agency, or similar organization.
• Experience interacting with Boards of Directors and senior executives strongly preferred.