General Counsel

GENERAL COUNSEL

Florida Farm Bureau Federation
Location: Gainesville, Florida, or Tallahassee, Florida
Status: Exempt, Salaried

Put Your Legal Experience to Work for Florida Agriculture

Florida Farm Bureau Federation (FFBF) is seeking an experienced and highly capable General Counsel to serve as a trusted legal advisor to executive leadership, Boards of Directors, and the organization’s affiliated companies.

This is a unique opportunity for an attorney who wants to do more than provide traditional legal counsel. The General Counsel will play an integral role in organizational governance, legislative and regulatory matters affecting agriculture, contracts, compliance, employment-related legal matters, and issues that directly impact Florida’s agricultural community.

The ideal candidate is a practical, solutions-oriented attorney who can quickly assess complex issues, understand their organizational and business implications, and translate legal and regulatory requirements into clear, concise, and actionable advice for a variety of audiences.

About the Florida Farm Bureau Federation

As the state’s largest agricultural organization—representing over 132,000 member families—FFBF is dedicated to ensuring the prosperity of Florida’s farmers and ranchers. Our mission is rooted in advocacy, education, and service, promoting a thriving agricultural industry that sustains the food, fiber, and natural resources essential to daily life.

When you join FFBF, you join a team united by purpose:

• Advocate for Florida’s farmers and ranchers.
• Strengthen local access to healthy, sustainable food.
• Collaborate with passionate, purpose-driven professionals.
• Contribute to a positive, supportive workplace culture.
• Experience the fulfillment of advancing agriculture’s future.

Compensation & Benefits

We recognize that attracting top talent means providing meaningful rewards. FFBF offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package designed to enrich your professional and personal well-being:

· 401(k) Retirement Plan: Company match of up to 4% of eligible earnings, plus an additional annual employer contribution.

· Professional Development: Ongoing training opportunities and participation in an annual company retreat.

· Paid Time Off: 19 PTO days per year for new employees.

· Paid Holidays: At least 9 paid holidays annually.

· Health Insurance: Multiple plan options for medical coverage.

· Additional Insurance Options: Dental, vision, life, disability, and supplemental plans available.

· Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Optional enrollment.

· Insurance benefits become effective on the first of the month following your employment start date.

What You’ll Do

As General Counsel, you will serve as FFBF’s in-house legal resource and work closely with the President/CEO, executive leadership, Boards of Directors, staff, county Farm Bureaus, and outside counsel.

Key responsibilities include:

• Advise Boards of Directors, executives, management, and staff regarding laws and regulations affecting FFBF and its affiliated companies.
• Research and analyze legal issues and provide practical guidance regarding proposed actions, policies, programs, and organizational decisions.
• Serve as chief parliamentary advisor to the President/CEO, Board of Directors, and Board committees, including providing guidance regarding governance, meeting procedures, and Robert’s Rules of Order.
• Maintain and support appropriate corporate governance records, resolutions, bylaws, and related requirements.
• Analyze proposed legislation, regulations, and local ordinances affecting agriculture and provide clear recommendations regarding their potential impact.
• Review and draft proposed legislation, legislative amendments, regulatory changes, and related materials.
• Assist in developing legal strategies regarding matters that may significantly affect agriculture and FFBF members, including litigation strategy and amicus curiae (“friend of the court”) briefs.
• Advise county Farm Bureaus, presidents, and board members regarding bylaws, governance policies, and compliance requirements.
• Review and assist with contracts, organizational policies, procedures, and practices.
• Provide legal guidance and support regarding company-side human resource programs and employment-related legal and policy matters, as appropriate.
• Facilitate required licensing and statutory filings and provide oversight related to branding and trademarks.
• Monitor changes in laws and regulations, identify potential legal risks and opportunities, and keep leadership informed.
• Coordinate and communicate with outside legal counsel as needed.

What We’re Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law.
• Experience with corporate governance and contract review and drafting.
• Experience with agriculture leadership programs such as 4-H, FFA, or similar programs.
• Working knowledge of state and county legislative and regulatory processes.

Preferred Experience

• Agricultural or environmental law experience.

The Successful Candidate Will

• Be an exceptional written and verbal communicator who can tailor communications to different audiences and turn complex legal or regulatory matters into concise, actionable advice.
• Build trusted, professional relationships with directors, executive leadership, staff, volunteers, county Farm Bureaus, and other stakeholders.
• Approach legal issues with sound judgment, strong analytical skills, and a practical, solutions-oriented mindset.
• Handle highly confidential and sensitive matters with discretion and professionalism.
• Effectively manage multiple priorities and time-sensitive matters while maintaining strong attention to detail.
• Be comfortable presenting complex information to groups and diverse audiences.
• Demonstrate strong negotiation, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Be self-motivated, adaptable, and willing to develop expertise in the varied subject areas that affect FFBF and Florida agriculture.

Position Details

This position is based at Florida Farm Bureau Federation’s Gainesville headquarters.

Moderate in-state and out-of-state travel is required, and the successful candidate must possess a valid Florida driver’s license. The position may occasionally require work outside traditional office hours. Limited remote work opportunities are available.

Why This Role?

This position offers an opportunity to combine legal counsel, organizational governance, public policy, and agriculture in a highly visible role. The General Counsel will have the opportunity to advise senior decision-makers, contribute to matters affecting Florida agriculture, and help ensure that FFBF and its affiliated organizations operate within a strong legal and governance framework.

If you are an experienced attorney who values agriculture, enjoys working with diverse stakeholders, and excels at turning complex legal issues into practical guidance, we invite you to consider joining Florida Farm Bureau Federation as our next General Counsel.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Florida Farm Bureau Federation is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where diversity is celebrated, and all employees and applicants receive equal consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person