Volunteer Legal Advisor — Nonprofit Governance & Partnerships

Non-Resident (Remote) · Volunteer / Pro Bono · As-needed (a few hours/month) · Ongoing, reviewed at 6 months

NB: BEFORE YOU APPLY — MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

This is a counsel-level role, not a student or paralegal position. We will only review applicants who meet both of the following:

Licensed and in good standing with a Canadian provincial or territorial law society (called to the bar); and

Demonstrated experience in charities and not-for-profit law, or in corporate/transactional law with meaningful exposure to nonprofit clients.

About Tessera Research Collective

Tessera is a Canada-based, independent think tank dedicated to advancing research and informed dialogue on transatlantic relations, global security, and democratic resilience. We are proudly non-partisan. With particular attention to Canada–EU cooperation, we produce timely analysis, host events and discussions, and connect researchers, policymakers, and civil society. Our international network of researchers and fellows supports high-quality, accessible work on issues ranging from defense and critical minerals to technology governance and geopolitical risk.

As we grow, we are formalizing our structure, building partnerships, and expanding our footprint — and we are looking for legal guidance to do this soundly.

About the role

Tessera is seeking a volunteer Legal Advisor to support our institutional development as we scale up. The role centers on helping us build the right legal foundation: establishing our structure as a nonprofit, getting our governance in order, and putting our partnerships and collaborations on a solid footing. You would work directly with leadership as a trusted advisor, providing clear, practical guidance and knowing when a matter calls for specialist counsel.

This is an opportunity to shape the institutional architecture of an emerging, mission-driven organization from the ground up.

Responsibilities

Advise on legal structure and incorporation as a Canadian not-for-profit, and on the options and trade-offs around charitable or tax-exempt status

Draft and review governing documents (articles, bylaws) and advise on board structure, membership, and fiduciary duties

Review and advise on memoranda of understanding (MoUs), membership agreements, and research-collaboration agreements with partner organizations — including the binding/non-binding line, confidentiality, intellectual property, data handling, and dispute resolution

Help us understand obligations attached to joining international networks and umbrella bodies

Spot and flag intellectual property, data-protection/privacy, and employment issues as they arise, and help identify when specialist counsel should be brought in

Provide general, plain-language legal guidance to a non-legal leadership team on an as-needed basis

What we're looking for

The minimum requirements above (Canadian bar admission in good standing; charities/not-for-profit or relevant transactional experience) — these are firm requirements

Comfort with contract drafting and review, particularly partnership and collaboration agreements

The ability to translate legal complexity into clear, actionable advice for a non-legal team

Sound judgment about scope — knowing what a generalist can handle and when to escalate to a specialist

Familiarity with intellectual property, privacy/data protection, or employment law is a strong asset

French, or experience advising organizations with international or cross-border operations, is an asset

What you'll gain

A formal affiliation as Legal Advisor, Tessera Research Collective

The opportunity to shape the institutional foundation of a growing independent think tank, working directly with its leadership

A meaningful, well-scoped pro bono engagement with clear boundaries and a collaborative team

Connection to our international network of researchers, policymakers, and practitioners, and invitations to Tessera events and roundtables

Public acknowledgment of your contribution and a written reference letter on request

How to apply

Apply through LinkedIn with your CV and a short cover note (one page) combined into a single PDF, outlining your relevant experience — particularly in charities/not-for-profit or transactional law — and your interest in supporting an independent research organization. We review applications on a rolling basis.

Questions: message us on LinkedIn.

— Tessera Research Collective

www.tesserainstitute.ca