Assistant General Counsel - Employment

Methodist Health System•Dallas, TX

57d•Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant General Counsel – Employment and Benefits represents MHS and its wholly owned affiliates and operating divisions and leads and implements the legal strategies as assigned for employment and benefit matters. MHS is a large, dynamic, and growing organization, with seven acute care hospitals, a medical group, jointly owned surgical hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers, as well as numerous additional affiliations and operating divisions. The Assistant General Counsel partners strategically with leaders across the system, including those in the areas of human resources, benefits, physician strategy, medical staff matters, operations, risk, and various wholly owned subsidiaries and joint ventures, all with respect to employment and benefit matters. This is an outstanding opportunity to join a high-performing in-house legal team and work in a positive, collaborative, and responsive team environment. The Assistant General Counsel must be visible, credible, and accessible, as well as an individual of the highest integrity. The ability to listen effectively and work collaboratively in a matrixed environment is essential.

Requirements

Full technical proficiency in the principles and practices of representing management and counseling senior leadership regarding employment and benefits
Experience in leading strategic, complex projects and initiatives
Demonstrated track record in leading legal aspects of and innovating legal concepts related to employment and benefits
Outstanding analytical, negotiating, and drafting ability
Pragmatic business acumen with the ability to recognize the broader implications of legal advice
Demonstrated excellence in oral and written communication
Innovative thinking that adds value for clients and finds creative solutions to complex legal issues
Interpersonal skills that foster successful interaction with a diverse array of legal and operational colleagues, clients, and leaders at all levels
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and initiatives; prioritizing and working independently in a highly collegial and high performing environment
High degree of personal integrity, sound judgment, and a commitment to accountability
Extensive knowledge of federal and state laws relating to wage and hour and employment practices laws including ADA, FMLA, and FLSA
Working knowledge of ERISA
Bachelors Degree and Juris Doctor (J.D.)
Active license to practice (Texas license or ability to apply for and obtain Texas license)
A minimum of 10 years of relevant health law experience in a law firm practice and/or in-house

Nice To Haves

Prior representation of a complex, sophisticated health system
Good working knowledge of the key operational and strategic issues and challenges currently affecting hospitals, health systems, providers, health care delivery organizations, and/or integrated delivery systems

Responsibilities

Lead counsel on employment operations and related advice (e.g., FMLA, ADA, etc.)
Lead counsel on employment litigation, demand letters, and EEOC charges
Lead counsel on benefits, including retirement plans
Lead counsel on Occupational Injury Benefit Plan matters
Lead counsel on employment contracting
Lead counsel on HR Policy support
Support Graduate Medical Education, the Police Department (including policy support), and the Clinical Research Institute
Provide accurate and timely legal advice and analysis to leaders on a variety of legal issues including, but not limited to, contract disputes, drug diversion, training and development, termination claims and regulatory agency investigations
Serve as the Office of Legal Affairs liaison to the Corporate Compliance Committee for Discrimination Grievances, and to other committees, congresses, and task forces, such as the System Workplace Violence Committee
Provide New Leader Orientation on behalf of OLA
Undertake other duties as assigned