Counsel - Healthcare

Serenity Mental Health Centers•Mesa, AZ

About The Position

Serenity Healthcare is seeking an in-house Counsel to oversee the company’s legal activities and advise key stakeholders on compliance as the organization grows. The role supports healthcare operations and expansion across existing and future markets, including regulatory diligence and the development of state-compliant operating models. The Counsel will build and oversee the company’s legal and compliance functions, establish processes, allocate resources, and manage internal and external legal support. The position also oversees managed care and payor contracting, litigation and claims, regulatory disputes, and other legal proceedings. It manages outside counsel relationships and coordinates internal investigations and responses to subpoenas, government inquiries, and regulatory investigations. Listed locations may include Dallas, Texas; Mesa, Arizona; Atlanta, Georgia; and Lehi, Utah.

Requirements

At least 10 years of corporate or operational healthcare experience.
Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
Active membership in at least one state bar where Serenity operates; Arizona or Texas is preferred.
Ability to identify and manage legal risks in healthcare, including risks related to insurance, patient care, operations, and financial matters.
Familiarity with healthcare regulatory issues and experience leading responses to such issues.
Expertise negotiating and drafting contracts, including employment agreements, payor contracts, corporate leases, and service vendor contracts.
Strong understanding of healthcare regulatory frameworks and experience developing and implementing compliance programs.
Ability to collaborate with operations, HR, marketing, revenue cycle and billing, finance, and IT departments.

Nice To Haves

Active membership in the Arizona or Texas state bar.

Responsibilities

Review, negotiate, and manage provider and employment contracts.
Advise on federal and state healthcare regulatory requirements, including HIPAA, fraud and abuse laws, Stark and anti-kickback issues, and licensure matters.
Build state-compliant models and conduct regulatory diligence and oversight for existing and future markets.
Review, negotiate, and approve real estate agreements, including leases.
Manage labor and employment disputes and collaborate on policies and procedures to mitigate HR-related risks.
Advise executive team members on legal matters affecting their departments.
Help ensure awareness of and compliance with applicable laws and company policies and procedures.
Build, develop, and oversee the company’s legal and compliance functions, including establishing processes, allocating resources, and managing internal and external legal support.
Oversee managed care and payor contracting, including negotiations, reimbursement provisions, regulatory considerations, and ongoing contractual compliance.
Oversee and manage litigation, claims, regulatory disputes, and other legal proceedings.
Manage outside counsel relationships, including selection and retention, legal strategy, budgets, and cost-effective representation.
Coordinate internal investigations and responses to subpoenas, government inquiries, regulatory investigations, and other legal matters.