Chief Legal Officer

Jackson Lewis • New York City, NY

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

Focused on employment and labor law since 1958, Jackson Lewis P.C.’s 1,000+ attorneys located in major cities nationwide consistently identify and respond to new ways workplace law intersects business. We help employers develop proactive strategies, strong policies and business-oriented solutions to cultivate high-functioning workforces that are engaged and stable, and share our clients’ goals to emphasize belonging and respect for the contributions of every employee. The Firm is ranked in the First Tier nationally in the category of Labor and Employment Litigation, as well as in both Employment Law and Labor Law on behalf of Management, in the U.S. News - Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms”. Summary Responsible for overall firm risk management and compliance, the Chief Legal Officer will serve as a key member of the firm’s leadership team. This individual will oversee a team of attorneys in providing legal support and guidance to the firm in the oversight and management of 60+ national offices. This successful incumbent will be responsible for providing strategic guidance on various internal and client specific legal matters, including related business decisions, compliance programs and governance programs, protection of firm assets and ensuring accurate and timely litigation and management of employment issues. Reporting to our Chief Operations Officer, the Chief Legal Officer will collaborate with firm leadership, the board, and cross-functional teams and stakeholders, in providing proactive legal advice to mitigate risk.

Requirements

• JD from ABA Accredited Law School
• 20+ years of relevant and progressive experience; prior experience working as prior in-house leadership required
• 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 with experience operating within billion-dollar enterprises and navigating the complex, sophisticated challenges inherent to large-scale environments
• Prior experience in a multi-jurisdiction employer
• 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 a plus

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
• 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
• Oversee a team of attorneys and other professionals in the day-to-day execution of the OGC functions
• 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
• 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.

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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree