Associate General Counsel
Posted Updated
JOB SUMMARY
The Associate General Counsel serves as a senior legal advisor and operational leader within the Legal Affairs Department. Reporting to the Senior Director, Government & Legal Affairs, the Associate General Counsel provides strategic legal counsel across a broad range of complex matters, including employment law, litigation management, commercial contracting, regulatory compliance, risk mitigation, and corporate operations.
The Associate General Counsel manages the organization's litigation portfolio, oversees outside counsel relationships, advises executive and operational leadership, and provides legal leadership regarding workforce and employment-related matters. The position also supervises the Privacy Officer & Corporate Counsel and supports the overall management and strategic direction of the legal function.
This position serves as a key advisor to organizational leadership, providing practical, business-focused legal guidance that balances risk management with operational objectives.
JOB DUTIES
- Provide primary legal counsel and strategic guidance on employment and labor law matters.
- Advise Human Resources and organizational leadership on employee relations matters, workplace investigations, disciplinary actions, leave administration, accommodations, wage and hour compliance, and workforce management practices.
- Interpret and advise management on compliance with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
- Review and advise regarding executive employment agreements, restrictive covenant agreements, and separation agreements.
- Provide legal support in responding to administrative agency investigations and employment-related claims.
- Provide legal guidance regarding workforce restructuring, reductions in force, and organizational changes.
- Monitor employment law developments and advise leadership on associated legal and operational impacts.
- Oversee the organization's litigation portfolio, ensuring effective management of legal risk and case strategy.
- Direct litigation strategy in partnership with executive leadership.
- Manage outside counsel relationships, evaluate performance, and monitor legal expenditures to ensure efficient use of resources.
- Evaluate claims, disputes, and potential litigation exposure to support risk-informed decision-making.
- Coordinate organizational responses to subpoenas, administrative proceedings, demand letters, and government investigations.
- Support dispute resolution efforts, including mediation, arbitration, and settlement negotiations.
- Develop litigation prevention strategies and risk mitigation initiatives.
- Draft, review, negotiate, and provide legal guidance regarding complex commercial agreements and business transactions.
- Provide legal oversight of significant contractual arrangements.
- Advise leadership regarding legal, business, financial, and operational risks associated with contractual commitments.
- Support strategic partnerships, vendor relationships, and operational initiatives.
- Develop and maintain contract standards and risk management protocols.
- Supervise and provide direction to the Privacy Officer & Corporate Counsel.
- Support management of legal department workflows, priorities, and resource allocation.
- Develop and implement legal processes, templates, and workflow improvements that enhance departmental efficiency and consistency.
- Contribute to legal department strategic planning, goal setting, and operational initiatives.
- Promote consistent legal guidance and risk management practices across the organization.
- Advise leadership regarding regulatory obligations affecting the organization.
- Provide legal support for regulatory investigations, audits, and agency inquiries.
- Partner with Compliance, Human Resources, Operations, and Finance to ensure legal and regulatory compliance.
- Monitor legal and regulatory developments and provide proactive recommendations regarding emerging risks.
- Serve as a trusted legal advisor to senior leadership on significant business, operational, and risk-related matters.
- Prepare legal memoranda, risk assessments, and executive briefings.
- Present legal recommendations regarding significant business decisions.
- Support organizational initiatives, strategic planning, and enterprise risk management efforts.
- Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
- Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
- Seven (7) years of progressively responsible legal experience required; ten (10) or more years of legal experience preferred.
- Significant experience in employment law and litigation management.
- Experience drafting and negotiating commercial agreements.
- Demonstrated ability to manage complex legal matters independently.
- Demonstrated leadership, communication, and analytical skills.
- Prior in-house counsel experience.
- Experience supervising attorneys or legal staff.
- Experience supporting healthcare, home care, or other regulated industries.
- Experience managing outside counsel and litigation budgets.
- Experience providing employment law, regulatory, and operational legal counsel.
- Ability to work flexible and/or extended hours, if needed, to meet job requirements.
- Ability to pass required background screening.
- Employees must provide their own reliable internet if working a remote/hybrid position.
The incumbent typically works in an office environment and uses a computer, telephone and other office equipment as needed to perform duties. The noise level in the work environment is typical of that of an office. Incumbent may encounter frequent interruptions throughout the workday. The employee is regularly required to sit, talk, or hear; frequently required to use repetitive hand motion, handle or feel, and to stand, walk, reach, bend or lift up to 20 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.