General Counsel, U.S.

About Us

Forward Global unites 350+ international strategists, communicators, and creators to achieve mission-critical objectives for public and private clients worldwide. We do so by helping global leaders, businesses, and institutions better understand, navigate, and mitigate risk, enhancing decision making and strengthening our clients’ strategic positions.

Forward Global prides itself on being an entrepreneurial firm with a close-knit, supportive team of professionals. The seamless integration of government affairs, strategic communications, digital storytelling, and public affairs is integral to Forward Global’s work.

Position Overview

The General Counsel, U.S. serves as the chief legal advisor to Forward Global U.S. and is responsible for overseeing all legal matters of the organization in the U.S., the center of the company’s growth strategy. This includes governance, regulatory compliance, contracts, employment law, risk management, and intellectual property. The General Counsel, U.S. plays a strategic role in advising both U.S. and French leadership on legal and reputational risks, enabling informed and compliant decision-making in all aspects of the organization’s operations. The General Counsel, U.S. will report to the Group General Counsel based in France.

This is a full-time, in-person role offering a dynamic environment, opportunities for process improvement, and direct engagement with our leadership team. Please note, this role will not be hired for until January 2026, with December 2025 being the earliest possible start date for the right candidate.

Key Responsibilities

Legal Strategy & Advice

• Provide strategic legal counsel to the company’s leadership, including Paris-based executive team, board of directors, global executive committee and U.S.-based partner group.
• Advise on legal risk and regulatory compliance, in the U.S. and in other countries, as relevant.

Governance & Compliance

• Oversee corporate governance matters, including board procedures, bylaws, and entity management and maintenance of corporate records.
• Draft and update articles of incorporation, bylaws, shareholder resolutions, and other governing documents.
• Ensure compliance with local, national, and international laws, including labor, privacy (e.g., GDPR), anti-corruption (e.g., FCPA), and tax-exempt status where applicable.

Contract Management

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of contracts including grants, service agreements, MOUs, and vendor contracts.
• Develop and maintain contract templates and policies to streamline operations.

Employment & Labor Law

• Provide legal oversight on employment matters, including hiring practices, workplace policies, and internal investigations.
• Coordinate with HR on cross-border employment issues.

Risk Management & Dispute Resolution

• Identify and mitigate legal risks across programs, partnerships, and operations.
• Manage relationships with external counsel, including to handle possible legal disputes in multiple jurisdictions.

Policy Development & Training

• Lead development and implementation of organizational policies relating to ethics, privacy, conflicts of interest, and whistleblower protection.
• Conduct legal training for staff and leadership.

Ideal Profile

• J.D. (Juris Doctor) or equivalent law degree from an accredited institution.
• Admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction; multi-jurisdictional experience preferred.
• 15+ years of relevant legal experience, including senior in-house counsel or law firm experience.
• Proven experience with nonprofit or international organizations, preferably in philanthropy, development, or humanitarian sectors.
• Strong understanding of legal frameworks relevant to global operations (e.g., cross-border transactions, data privacy laws, sanctions, and export controls).
• Demonstrated ability to navigate complex legal issues and offer pragmatic, actionable advice.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and leadership skills.
• French language proficiency is a plus.

Forward Global welcomes the applications from all qualified candidates. As an equal opportunity employer, the Group promotes an inclusive and diverse work environment.