Note: APA operates on a 37.5-hour work week with one hour lunch breaks each day. APA sets salaries based on several considerations, including years of relevant experience, level of education, and previous staff and/or governance experience at APA.

DESCRIPTION:

This individual manages the administration of, and conducts legal and regulatory research services for, the Office of General Counsel (OGC), a small, fast-paced legal office at the American Psychological Association (APA). The Legal Administrator works directly with, and provides support to, three in-house lawyers, including the General Counsel on the amicus curiae brief program. The individual prioritizes and meets competing demands, including (1) managing APA's contract review and approval process (ICertis CLM Administrator); (2) handling APA's internal and external filings, including conflict of interest disclosures for elected and appointed leaders, state charitable solicitation registrations, and other government-related reports; (3) conducting basic legal research into pending court cases and published court decisions; and (4) directing OGC administrative operations, including drafting correspondence, gathering data for special projects, maintaining legal files, preparing and monitoring department's annual budget, scheduling meetings, and coordinating travel calendars. The Legal Administrator supervises at least one direct report, who also supports lawyers in OGC as well as Governance staff.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Paralegal Training and Certificate; 5 years extensive legal research experience; and minimum 7-10 years progressively responsible legal administrative, budgetary, and related office management experience. Licensed as a notary public or willing to become licensed as a notary public a plus.

COMPUTER SKILLS:

Microsoft suite, advanced excel, Lexis, Pacer, free internet legal research tools.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

This experienced administrator manages the administration of the Office of General Counsel, a small, fast-paced, and busy legal office, at the American Psychological Association (APA). The paralegal supports multiple time-sensitive workstreams and may be required to manage confidential projects/situations and/or work collaboratively with a high degree of complexity. A qualified individual will have a track-record of handling increasingly important responsibilities, the ability to maintain confidentiality, meet deadlines, and prioritize multiple and sometimes competing work demands. This role requires working independently to perform traditional paralegal duties, supervising at least one other staff person, and optimizing programs housed within the OGC.

1. Contract Management:
• Assist in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts specific to the organization's needs (e.g., vendor agreements, employment contracts, leases).
• Administer Contract Management System for the organization, including tracking key contract dates (expiration, renewal, termination) for contracts in the OGC and its units.
• Collaborate and support directorates to ensure compliance with contract terms.
2. Project Management on Legal, Corporate and Regulatory Matters:
• Collaborate across the organization on legal initiatives, such as coordinating and filing annual conflict of interest disclosures by elected and appointed leaders, annual state charity registration renewals with outside counsel, and other similar reporting.
• Coordinate legal special projects, including task assignment, timelines, and resources.
• Support General Counsel on amicus brief program
3. Legal Research and Analysis:
• Conduct internal research on organizational policies and compliance matters
• Analyze statutes, regulations, and case law
• Prepare and file reports with government agencies
4. General Administrative Support:
• Manage attorney calendars, schedule meetings, and coordinate travel.
• Oversee administration of legal department, including filing insurance claims, receiving notice of service of process, gathering materials in response to subpoenas, drafting correspondence to fulfill information requests, and coordinating litigation support.
• Create budget with General Counsel and track and manage OGC expenses.
• Assisting the onboarding of new OGC employees.
5. Records Management:
• Maintain legal files, organize documents, and ensure proper retention (and destruction) of legal materials.
• Coordinate document production, including legal templates, in response to legal requests.
• Implement document management systems
6. Technology Utilization:
• Ability to use legal software, free legal research tools, and other software used by the organization (Microsoft suite, including Co-Pilot)
• Familiarity with contract management systems a plus
• Optimize processes using technology to enhance efficiency.
7. Other duties as assigned.

About APA:

The American Psychological Association (APA) represents 157,000 psychologists, students, and affiliates, primarily in the U.S. and Canada but also in other countries around the world. APA is a scientific and professional organization with about 500 employees and is categorized as a 501(c)(3) along with its 501(c)(6) companion organization, APA Services, Inc. Our mission is to promote psychological science and knowledge to benefit society and improve lives.

Job Location: Remote: APA jobs may be considered for remote work eligibility as defined in APA's Flexible Work Policy and are subject to approval. Remote work employees may not work from the following states or U.S. territories: Alaska, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Iowa, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, U.S. Virgin Islands, Washington, Wyoming.

Application Instructions:

Qualified candidates must apply online through and attach a resume and cover letter specifying your salary expectations. Applications that are submitted without both documents are considered incomplete and will not be reviewed for consideration. Once your application is submitted, you will receive a confirmation email. Please make sure to check your Spam folder if you do not receive an email from us.

The American Psychological Association is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected categories covered under local law.

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