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About the Role

The Chief Legal Officer will be responsible for overall firm risk management and compliance, serving as a key member of the leadership team. This individual will oversee a team of attorneys, providing legal support and guidance for over 60 national offices. The role involves strategic guidance on internal and client-specific legal matters, business decisions, compliance and governance programs, asset protection, and managing litigation and employment issues. Experience in a General Counsel function within a law firm setting is essential.

Responsibilities

Develop and lead firm legal strategies and compliance programs to mitigate firm-wide legal and reputational risks, including malpractice, ethical issues, and regulatory compliance.
Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, the board of directors, principals, and chiefs on significant matters.
Proactively identify issues and solutions within a law firm's operating environment from a GC perspective.
Identify, assess, and manage legal and regulatory risk across the firm.
Advise on the development and implementation of firm policies and provide guidance on audit and governance structures.
Manage all legal matters, including contracts, outside counsel guidelines, litigation, intellectual property, and corporate transactions.
Effectively manage relationships with outside counsel, opposing counsel, and regulatory bodies.
Provide guidance to attorneys and practice leaders on professional responsibilities and oversee compliance with rules of professional conduct and bar regulations.
Oversee a team of attorneys and professionals in the daily execution of OGC functions.
Define processes, implement governance/controls, and operationalize policy review and updates while building team structure and overseeing risk management.
Support the resolution of conflicts, governance, and process matters.
Support internal investigations and confidential matters involving policy violations or professional conduct.
Collaborate with HR, IT, Risk, and Finance teams to ensure integrated governance and compliance oversight.

Requirements

Working in-house at a large multi-office AMLAW 200 law firm as the General Counsel (or Deputy General Counsel with broad remit) is required.
20+ years of relevant and progressive experience.
Active member in good standing with the state bar.
Must be a well-versed and experienced business/commercial lawyer.
Law firm experience required; preferred industries include professional services.
Proven ability to provide strategic business-oriented legal counsel in a large matrixed organization.
Experience operating within billion-dollar enterprises and navigating complex, sophisticated challenges in large-scale environments.
Excellent attention to detail.
Excellent written and oral communication, negotiation, and judgment skills.
Strong organizational and project management skills.
Strong understanding of Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel is a plus.

Skills

Risk management
Compliance
Legal support
Strategic guidance
Business decisions
Governance programs
Asset protection
Litigation management
Employment issues
General Counsel function
Legal advice
Malpractice exposure
Ethical issues
Regulatory compliance
Advising senior leadership
Board of directors interaction
Cross-functional collaboration
Identifying legal risks
Policy development
Audit structures
Contract management
Outside counsel management
Intellectual property
Corporate transactions
Professional responsibility guidance
Rules of professional conduct
Bar regulations
Team leadership
Process definition
Governance controls
Operationalizing policy review
Team structure building
Conflict resolution
Internal investigations
HR collaboration
IT collaboration
Risk team collaboration
Finance team collaboration
Communication skills
Negotiation skills
Judgment skills
Organizational skills
Project management skills
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Excel

Location

National

Work Type

Hybrid

Experience Level

20+ years of relevant and progressive experience

Education Level

JD from ABA Accredited Law School

Salary/Compensations

$700,000 - $800,000
Eligible for annual bonuses

Benefits

Medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance
401(k) Retirement Plan
Flexible Spending & Health Savings Account
Firm-paid holidays, vacation, and sick time
Employee assistance program and other firm benefits

About the Company

Focused on employment and labor law since 1958, Jackson Lewis P.C. has over 1,000 attorneys in major cities nationwide.
The firm's attorneys identify and respond to new ways workplace law intersects business, helping employers develop proactive strategies, strong policies, and business-oriented solutions.
They aim to cultivate high-functioning workforces that are engaged, stable, and emphasize belonging and respect for all employees.
The Firm is ranked in the First Tier nationally in Labor and Employment Litigation, Employment Law, and Labor Law for Management by U.S. News - Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms”.

Equal Opportunity

In furtherance of our culture, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status or any other characteristics protected by law.
We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status or any other characteristics protected by law.