Chief Legal Officer

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead firm legal strategies, and compliance programs to support the mitigation of firm-wide legal and reputational risks, including but not limited to, malpractice exposure, ethical issues and regulatory compliance
• Serve as trusted advisor to senior leadership including the firm chair and firm managing principal, board of directors, principals and a cross-functional team of chiefs on matters of significance
• Adept in understanding all operating matters in a law firm setting from a GC function and being proactive in identifying issues and solutions quickly
• Identify, assess and manage legal regulatory risk across the firm
• Advise on the development and implementation of firm policies, provide guidance on appropriate audit and governance structures to mitigate risk
• 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; oversee compliance with applicable rules of professional conduct, and bar regulations across jurisdictions
• Adept in defining processes, implementing appropriate governance/controls and operationalizing a cadence to review and update firm-wide policies, while building team structure and overseeing key functions such as risk management
• Support the resolution of conflicts governance and process matters
• Collaborate with HR, IT, Risk and Finance teams to ensure integrated governance and compliance oversight

Qualifications

• JD from ABA Accredited Law School
• Working in house at a large multi office AMLAW 200 law firm as the General Counsel (Or Deputy General Counsel if the remit is broad enough)
• 20+ years of relevant and progressive experience; Active member in good standing with the state bar
• Proven ability to provide strategic business-oriented legal counsel in a large matrixed organization with experience operating within billion-dollar enterprises and navigating the complex, sophisticated challenges inherent to large-scale environments
• Excellent attention to detail
• Excellent written and oral communication, negotiation and judgement skills
• Strong organizational and project management skills
• Strong understanding of Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel

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