General Counsel

Who We are Radio Free Asia (RFA) is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) media organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., with editorial and operational bureaus in Taipei, Bangkok, and Seoul. A congressionally funded grantee of the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), RFA operates with full editorial independence.

Our mission is to provide accurate, uncensored news and information to people living in countries where a free press does not exist. We broadcast in nine languages and dialects — Mandarin, Cantonese, Tibetan, Uyghur, Burmese, Vietnamese, Lao, Khmer, and Korean — reaching audiences across China, North Korea, Vietnam, Burma, Cambodia, Laos and beyond via radio transmissions,, satellite, and the internet. Our journalists work in some of the world’s most difficult media environments, often at considerable personal risk, filling a critical gap in access to truthful, timely news for millions of people who would otherwise have very little of it. That reality shapes everything about how we work and who we hire to lead this organization.

The General Counsel reports into the President of RFA and serves as the chief legal advisor to RFA’s Board of Directors, President, and senior management, providing strategic guidance on a wide range of legal, governance, and policy matters. This role oversees organizational compliance with U.S. and international laws, including employment and labor law, contracts, intellectual property, federal grants, and media-related regulations, while advising on complex issues such as press freedom, censorship, and defamation. The General Counsel manages risk through proactive legal strategies, supervises outside counsel, ensures effective corporate governance, and represents RFA in litigation or regulatory matters.

• Provide sound legal and policy advice to RFA’s Board of Directors, President/CEO, and senior management on matters involving employment and labor law, immigration, litigation, contracts, federal grants, intellectual property, liability and insurance, and corporate governance. Conduct legal research on specific regulatory and policy issues as necessary to support such advice.
• Interpret foreign laws and international agreements relevant to RFA’s operations and international broadcasting activities. Ensure organizational compliance with applicable laws and regulations in the United States and in jurisdictions where RFA employs staff or engages stringers and contractors. Provide legal guidance on issues related to press freedom, censorship, and libel and defamation claims in accordance with relevant laws.
• Advise and collaborate with RFA departments on legal matters including copyright and fair use, disciplinary actions, licensing and trademarks, press releases and public statements, internal policies, and litigation risk mitigation.
• Serve as Corporate Secretary for RFA, including attending Board of Directors meetings, preparing and maintaining official minutes and records, and responding to requests for information and the use of RFA materials.
• Oversee the review and resolution of conflict-of-interest disclosures and provide training and guidance on EEO compliance, copyright, and fair use issues.
• Oversee RFA’s risk and insurance policies and ensure appropriate coverage and risk management practices.
• Represent RFA in legal proceedings and coordinate legal strategy when litigation arises.
• Participate in labor relations matters, including collective bargaining negotiations and implementation of collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), in collaboration with the Chief Operating Officer.
• Support the development, review, and implementation of RFA policies and procedures.
• Select, retain, and manage outside counsel as necessary to obtain legal opinions and to manage claims, disputes, or litigation.
• Review and negotiate contracts, leases, and other legal documents, and conduct legal research to recommend revisions or risk mitigation strategies as needed.
• Monitor developments and emerging trends in relevant areas of law and maintain professional knowledge through ongoing legal education and best-practice engagement.

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• Minimum 15 years of progressively responsible legal experience with an established law firm or in a relevant in-house counsel role, with 7 of those years in a senior management position. 
• Current active membership in a State Bar, preferably the District of Columbia Bar, or eligibility to obtain membership in the District of Columbia Bar.Substantial experience in several of the following areas of law: employment and labor law, contracts, litigation management, nonprofit or corporate governance, intellectual property, federal grant compliance, or media law.
• Experience reviewing and negotiating contracts, agreements, and other legal documents in a professional legal setting.
• Ability to provide competent legal advice and counsel to the RFA Board, President, and senior management team on a wide range of legal, governance, and policy issues.
• Experience managing legal risk and ensuring organizational compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Prior experience overseeing or managing outside counsel and legal budgets.
• Demonstrated integrity, sound judgment, and strong professional ethics upon which legal advice and decisions are based.
• Strong research and analytical skills.
• Fluency in English with excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Sound computer skills with proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite.

Preferred Qualifications

• Relevant professional experience working in Asia and/or working for a media company, government entity, or mission-driven nonprofit organization.
• Knowledge of nonprofit governance, including board governance, corporate compliance, and regulatory reporting requirements.
• Experience with federal grant compliance, U.S. government funding regulations, or working with federally funded organizations.
• Demonstrated familiarity with legal issues affecting international journalism and broadcasting, including press freedom, censorship, and defamation matters.
• Experience managing complex litigation, regulatory matters, or high-risk legal environments.

Competencies 

• Ability to be proactive, responsive, and work efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work calmly under pressure while ensuring sound legal advice and guidance.
• Thorough understanding of, and ability to maintain, business sensitivities and strict confidentiality.
• Ability to effectively advise senior leadership and the Board of Directors on complex legal, regulatory, and governance matters.
• Ability to clearly explain complex legal issues to non-legal stakeholders and influence decision-making at the executive level.
• Ability to navigate legal and operational challenges in diverse international environments.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively in a diverse, multicultural environment.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively as part of a team, with a willingness to take a hands-on approach when needed.