General Counsel

Nightingale Veterinary Partners•New York, NY

4d•$200,000 - $250,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Nightingale Veterinary Partners is seeking a commercially minded, hands-on General Counsel to lead its legal function and serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO and executive leadership team. The company is a founder-led, fast-growing family of veterinary practices building standalone specialty practices across multiple states and operating multiple veterinary brands. The General Counsel will support the organization’s clinical excellence, sustainable growth, and long-term value creation. As the sole in-house attorney, this person will own broad day-to-day legal work, bring routine matters in-house, improve turnaround, and help leadership make informed decisions. The role is designed for independent execution, with outside counsel engaged when specialized expertise or capacity is needed. The position is full-time and hybrid, based in New York City, with regular in-person collaboration with executive leadership. Thoughtful use of AI is central to the role. The General Counsel will use and help develop responsible AI workflows for drafting, review, research, and other legal tasks, while protecting confidential information and verifying outputs and legal authorities.

Requirements

Active bar membership in good standing in any U.S. state or Washington, D.C.
Broad in-house experience, ideally as a General Counsel or senior in-house counsel at a growing small or midsize company.
Demonstrated proficiency using AI tools to improve legal research, drafting, contract review, or workflow efficiency, and interest in expanding their responsible use.
Hands-on experience with commercial contracts and employment matters, plus familiarity with commercial leases.
Experience supporting a business with employees and brick-and-mortar operations across multiple states.
Ability to independently manage competing legal priorities, distinguish material risks from routine issues, and determine when outside counsel is necessary.
Clear communication and practical judgment, including the ability to explain risks, recommend workable solutions, and build trust with business leaders.
Interest in the veterinary profession.

Nice To Haves

10+ years of relevant legal experience, including several years as in-house counsel at a high-growth, multi-location company.

Responsibilities

Independently draft, review, and negotiate commercial contracts, including vendor contracts, leases, service agreements, and employment-related agreements.
Advise on employment matters across multiple states, including policies, employee relations, and decisions requiring legal guidance, using outside counsel as appropriate.
Lead legal work associated with new practice launches, including lease negotiations, construction-related agreements, real estate matters, and coordination with outside counsel when necessary.
Give founders and business leaders clear recommendations that explain risks, support workable deals, and identify when a different approach is needed.
Develop contract templates and review processes, and provide practical guidance to make recurring legal work more consistent and efficient.
Manage legal disputes involving employees, vendors, landlords, and other counterparties, engaging outside counsel as appropriate.
Select and manage outside counsel, with clear expectations for scope, cost, and results.
Develop workflows for using AI in drafting, review, research, and other legal tasks while protecting confidential information and verifying outputs and legal authorities.