General Counsel

The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) is a premier U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) national security Laboratory, with an annual budget more than $3 billion.  LLNL is managed by Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC (LLNS).  The Laboratory's mission is to enable U.S. security and global stability and resilience by empowering multidisciplinary teams to pursue bold and innovative science and technology.

LLNL is seeking a General Counsel to serve as the senior legal advisor for the Laboratory. As the General Counsel you will be a trusted advisor to the Laboratory’s senior leadership team, provide legal advice and counsel on all matters affecting the Laboratory, lead and manage the Office of General Counsel, oversee external legal resources. This includes leading, mentoring, and developing a high-performing legal, compliance, and IP team of about twenty professionals. You will also provide legal advice and perspective to the LLNS Board of Governors. The General Counsel reports to the Laboratory’s Principal Deputy Director of LLNS.

Depending on your assignment, this position may offer a hybrid schedule, blending in-person and virtual presence. You may have the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week.

You will 

• Serve as a strategic leader who can architect transformational organizational change that aligns with LLNL’s mission and leadership priorities.
• Provide proactive risk assessment that leans into operational needs and mission priorities of LLNL and DOE/NNSA.
• Be a catalyst for change with an ability to effectively collaborate with and influence senior management and leadership at all levels of the organization.
• Advise LLNS management and provide practical, strategic, and solution-oriented advice on a broad range of legal matters.
• Partner with the senior management team to establish strategic priorities, implement policies, and provide oversight and management for the Laboratory.
• Provide legal support to the LLNS Board of Governors as appropriate.
• Provide proactive LLNL executive representation of LLNS to DOE/NNSA.
• Coordinate and lead a team of legal professionals managing a variety of disputes and litigation, employment matters, complex business transactions (e.g., industry and academic consortia, joint ventures, CRADAs), regulatory compliance, intellectual property, technology transfer, and other legal matters.
• Lead the Office of General Counsel, an organization consisting of about twenty attorneys and other legal professionals, including responsibility for budgetary matters, recruitment, retention, and career development.
• Identify, retain, and manage outside counsel, and oversee others who do, to represent LLNS in litigation and to provide specialized legal advice.
• Participate in the development and drafting of policies and procedures, implementing legal and regulatory requirements, and developing and implementing programs to ensure compliance.
• Develop relationships and networks with key stakeholders, such as DOE and NNSA attorneys and leaders at headquarters and the Livermore Field Office, LLNS members and their counsel, local officials, and other attorneys across the DOE/NNSA national laboratory complex.
• Work cooperatively with LLNS member counsel, including keeping designated member counsel apprised of significant legal matters.
• Provide coaching and mentorship to junior attorneys to develop legal skills and judgment.

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Juris Doctor (or equivalent degree) and membership in the California Bar (or the ability to obtain a limited practice license as Registered In-House Counsel in California).
• Extensive experience leading and managing a team of legal professionals in a corporate legal office, a federal government legal office, a university, or a law firm.
• Extensive experience managing legal functions relating to litigation, employment and benefits, regulatory compliance (including environmental), procurement, intellectual property, and business transactions.
• Advanced analytical, problem solving and decision-making skills necessary to independently interpret, advise, recommend, approve and implement solutions/actions.
• Expert verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills necessary to effectively explain, present, negotiate, advise and influence all levels of management and stakeholders.
• Experience working with government agencies and commitment to establishing a close working relationship with federal counterparts.

• Qualifications We Desire

• Expertise and experience managing a legal counsel office in an organization that provides services to the federal government.
• Experience working in a national laboratory or other federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) and/or prior interaction with DOE/NNSA.
• Broad knowledge of DOE and/or NNSA.
• Experience working with federal government contracts.
• Experience working with a Board of Directors.

Pay Range

$521,580 - $669,864

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting; pay will not be below any applicable local minimum wage.  An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

#LI-Hybrid 

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2026 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - visit https://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.  Also, you must have the ability to obtain and maintain Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access.  If you are selected, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing. Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship. 

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession.  This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.  

If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas.  Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

How to identify fake job advertisements

Please be aware of recruitment scams where people or entities are misusing the name of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to post fake job advertisements. LLNL never extends an offer without a personal interview and will never charge a fee for joining our company. All current job openings are displayed on the Career Page under “Find Your Job” of our website. If you have encountered a job posting or have been approached with a job offer that you suspect may be fraudulent, we strongly recommend you do not respond.

To learn more about recruitment scams: https://www.llnl.gov/sites/www/files/2023-05/LLNL-Job-Fraud-Statement-Updated-4.26.23.pdf

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Reasonable Accommodation

Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory.  If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request. 

California Privacy Notice

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees, and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information LLNL collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here.