Trade Association General Counsel - Alcohol Beverage

Job description

The Beer Institute (BI) is a national trade association representing U.S. brewers, beer importers and suppliers. The organization traces its roots back to the early 1860s and is one of the oldest trade associations in Washington, D.C. The BI is committed to developing sound public policy and to the values of civic duty and personal responsibility. The BI represents the industry and its members before Congress, federal agencies, and other public forums nationwide. Beer in America is a more than $471 billion industry that supports more than 2.4 million American jobs.

Today’s brewers, importers and suppliers operate not only in a competitive marketplace but in a complex public policy environment. Legal, legislative, regulatory and social challenges directly affect the beer industry’s day-to-day activities and its outlook for the future. As the unifying force in promoting industry interests, the BI helps brewers, importers and commodity suppliers operate efficiently and grow responsibly in today's challenging environment.

Position/Title: General Counsel

Date: September 2026

Status: Exempt

Reports to: President and CEO

Position Description: As the senior legal advisor, the General Counsel will provide substantive legal support and enterprise risk management. The General Counsel advises on significant legal, regulatory and trade matters. The role will implement best-in-class governance practices and shape BI’s response to legal and policy developments affecting the beer industry. Performance of duties requires the application of executive skills and the exercise of initiative, tact and independent judgment. Direct reports include the Senior Director, Health Policy & Regulatory Affairs. The position reports to the President & CEO.

Key Responsibilities

Effectively evaluate the key legal/regulatory issues impacting BI members and oversee the day-to-day legal issues impacting the organization, including:

Analyzing and prioritizing legal issues facing BI members and coordinating appropriate BI responses with member company attorneys and outside law firms (issues include federal and state distribution and trade practice laws, advertising and First Amendment, labeling and food safety and product liability)

Managing BI's Lawyers' Advisory Committee and providing legal support to other BI committees

Overseeing legal support for BI's infrastructure, including employment and benefit matters, and negotiating and drafting agreements as needed

Coordinating and monitoring industry compliance with CA Proposition 65

Supervising BI's outside counsel scope and budget

Lead the BI’s regulatory efforts and serve as a key spokesperson with regulatory and legislative bodies, and within the industry generally, including:

Researching and – in conjunction with other members of the Management Committee, BI member companies and BI staff – developing legislative and advocacy strategies for the organization

Drafting comments on federal regulations, legal briefs, legislative and regulatory updates, legislative conference materials and other advocacy or informational documents and providing legal reviews of BI board reports, testimony and other association public affairs materials and documents

Advocating for the industry as a representative for BI in regulatory activity and investigations by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury Department, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other agencies

Liaising with state alcohol beverage administrators and serving as a frequent speaker at state conferences on topics of mutual interest to regulators and representatives of other industry tiers

Actively support the Boards of Directors, Management Committee and staff on risk, governance and compliance, including:

Managing the organization’s corporate governance and ensuring that the organization is in full, ongoing compliance with all applicable laws and regulations

Administering and updating BI Advertising and Marketing Code and assisting the Code Compliance Review Board (CCRB) in addressing advertising complaints

Overseeing BI's document retention program

Overseeing key reporting, such as federal tax returns, employee benefits and lobbying reports

Advising government affairs representatives on lobbying and campaign finance obligations

Management/Mentoring

Serving as the primary Beer Institute contact for the Lawyers' Advisory Committee. This includes managing a budget to support and advance BI's objectives

Supporting the Code Compliance Review Board to ensure timely review of any advertising or marketing complaints

Managing outside counsels and consultants

Education/Experience

A Juris Doctor and undergraduate degree from an accredited, well-respected institution are required

Minimum of 10 years of broad general legal practice experience, with some experience in litigation and/or products liability preferred

Strong working knowledge and experience working in or with clients in highly regulated industries strongly preferred

Strong understanding of federal and state legislative and/or regulatory processes strongly preferred

Experience as a General Counsel or Deputy General Counsel is desirable but not required

Experience working in the food and beverage alcohol industry is a plus but not required

Experience working with Boards of Directors and managing these relationships openly and proactively is desirable

Proven ability to make excellent judgment in business decisions and recognized for integrity/ethics

Strong leadership skills and capability to anticipate and address significant industry legal/regulatory issues

Ability to be a coalition builder someone who can work effectively with groups and coalitions, and other organizations with mutual interests

Outstanding communications and interpersonal skills, including the ability to relate well to key constituencies

Effective and persuasive public speaking and written communication are required. The candidate must clearly articulate the message and command their audience's respect

Ability to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with the BI Board, members, staff and external partners

Problem-solving complex problems, ability to multitask and strategic planning capabilities

Work Environment/Conditions

The Beer Institute is in the heart of Washington, D.C. This position is eligible for either in-office or remote work, agreed upon by the candidate and BI leadership. The position requires travel, sometimes at short notice. Travel and other work-related assignments in the evening or on weekends are possible.

This full-time position offers a salary of $250,000-$300,000 (DOE) plus merit-based incentive pay. There is also a generous benefits package, including employer-sponsored health, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k), life and disability insurance, and generous paid time off, all with a flexible work environment. The organization is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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Worksite address

washington, DC, 20022, US

Who can apply

Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.