General Counsel

About Us:

CALSTART is a mission-driven industry organization focused on transportation decarbonization and clean air for all.

For over 30 years, it’s been CALSTART’s mission to develop, assess, and implement large-scale, zero-emission transportation solutions to mitigate climate change and support economic growth. CALSTART works with businesses, organizations, governments, and communities to create real-life impact toward clean air and equitable access to clean transportation for all. CALSTART provides scientific, technical and policy support for regulatory development and clean technology and infrastructure acceleration.

About The Role: 

CALSTART is seeking a General Counsel to join our leadership team and support our in-house legal needs. In this pivotal role, you will serve as an essential partner to our executive team and leaders.  

As the first and only member of our legal team, you will have a uniquely high-impact role with a diverse range of responsibilities across HR and corporate governance matters. You will be responsible for reviewing and approving all contracts, including state and federal government contracts, ensuring compliance and mitigating risk.  

This role requires a strategic legal advisor capable of managing various legal matters, providing contractual expertise, and offering comprehensive regulatory guidance. The General Counsel will report directly to the CEO and operate in a fully remote capacity. 

• Own and oversee all legal matters at CALSTART, with broad scope across multiple functional areas including corporate governance 
• Provide strategic counsel to leadership, senior management, and key decision-makers on corporate legal, HR and business matters and direction and guidance on corporate governance 
• Work collaboratively with the contracts department to oversee the review and approval of various contracts, focusing on legal review of grant agreements, including government and state-specific contracts in California 
• Provide expert guidance on Request for Proposals (RFPs), reviewing terms and conditions to ensure alignment with company policies and prevent operational hardships 
• Ensure legal compliance with grant requirements by collaborating with project leads, managers, and the finance team to build capacity for policy adherence and develop corrective action plans when necessary 
• Establish company policies to maintain integrity and prevent conflicts of interest with member or partner organizations 
• Identify risks early and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements 
• Advise and support HR teams on employment law matters, particularly in California 
• Research and interpret laws and regulations to guide decisions and mitigate risks 
• Assess when to consult with outside counsel and manage those relationships effectively 
• Represent the organization in litigation, negotiations, and other legal matters, coordinating with outside counsel when necessary 
• Proactively handle additional duties as the sole legal expert in a rapidly growing organization

• Experience as in-house counsel or transitioning from practicing attorney to in-house counsel (commercial experience required) 
• Experience reviewing and approving contracts in California at the state, national, and international levels 
• Practical experience and deep knowledge of government contracting laws and principles 
• Experience managing grants and government contracts; US Federal and state contract experience preferred 
• Expertise in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Code of Federal Regulations (CFR); bonus for 2 CFR part 200 experience 
• Experience and knowledge of Employment and Contract Law, with a preference for California-specific experience 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills 
• Excellent interpersonal, writing, and presentation skills for effective communication and collaboration with stakeholders 
• High moral standards, acting with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality 
• Proven ability to manage time effectively and meet deadlines 
• JD and admission to a state bar 
• Licensed to practice law in California 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite 

We understand that not everyone will match the above qualifications 100%. If your background isn't perfectly aligned but you feel you would be a great addition to the team, we'd love to hear from you.

We're a tight-knit team of world-class innovators, business minds, and change agents who believe passionately in our mission and put our team ahead of self. We are committed to the continued development and growth of our employees and invest in your success!

We care about your personal well being as much as your professional success and offer generous benefits to full time employees including: 100% company paid comprehensive health benefits for Medical, Dental, Vision, Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability and Life Insurance, Retirement plan with generous company contributions, FSA for Health and Dependent Care, 3 weeks of vacation time in the first year of employment, 11 paid company holidays, paid sick time, paid family leave, and more!

Our inclusive environment focuses on making decisions based on merit without regard to race, color, hair texture, gender, religion, age, nationality, social or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, LGBTQIA+ status, marital status, pregnancy, disability, genetics, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.