General Counsel

The Ward Law Group, PL•Miami Lakes, FL

About The Position

The Ward Law Group is seeking a General Counsel to support the Managing Partner and senior leadership in attorney performance and accountability, employment matters, vendor agreements, firm-related legal risk, and strategic business initiatives. The role brings legal credibility, sound judgment, and practical advice to sensitive matters while reinforcing high standards of representation and professional responsibility. The General Counsel will assess potential legal, ethical, financial, operational, and reputational exposure arising from the firm’s cases; investigate relevant facts and legal authority; provide concise risk assessments and recommendations; and follow corrective actions through completion. The position is advisory and does not ordinarily involve taking over cases or appearing in court. The role will also help lead legal work for a potential management services organization (MSO) transition and support potential acquisitions, including due diligence, transaction review, negotiation, closing, and integration planning. The successful candidate is thorough, direct, commercially minded, discreet, emotionally steady, and comfortable holding others accountable. A J.D. and active bar membership in good standing, with eligibility to serve in the firm’s operating jurisdictions, are required. Twenty or more years of litigation or related experience is preferred. The position requires prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer, as well as the ability to access and navigate the organization’s facilities. The Ward Law Group describes its culture as collaborative, innovative, and high-accountability, and says its mission is to change lives one client at a time.

Requirements

J.D. and active bar membership in good standing, with eligibility to serve in the firm’s operating jurisdictions.
Substantial legal experience demonstrating independent judgment and responsibility for complex matters.
Experience evaluating litigation or case-related exposure, researching unfamiliar issues, and assessing the adequacy of a proposed response.
Working knowledge of law firm operations and professional responsibility.
Experience advising on employment matters and negotiating commercial agreements.
Ability to work effectively with attorneys, operational leaders, financial executives, and outside advisers.
Strong research, writing, negotiation, and project management skills.
Thoroughness, direct communication, commercial judgment, discretion, emotional steadiness, and consistent follow-through.
Ability to hold others accountable, respectfully challenge senior attorneys, explain complex issues in plain language, and distinguish manageable risks from material exposure.
Ability to determine when to act independently, when leadership must decide, and when specialized outside counsel is needed.
Ability to sit for prolonged periods, work on a computer, and access and navigate the organization’s facilities.

Nice To Haves

Twenty or more years of litigation or other related experience is preferred.
Personal injury experience or substantial research and writing experience is strongly preferred.
Experience with law firm risk management, plaintiff-side practice, MSO structures, or business mergers and acquisitions is particularly valuable.

Responsibilities

Partner with senior leadership in meetings addressing attorney performance, productivity, case progress, and professional expectations.
Evaluate explanations for missed goals, distinguish legitimate obstacles from avoidable delays, ask informed follow-up questions, and help establish measurable corrective steps and follow-up.
Reinforce accountability while ensuring performance expectations support quality representation and professional obligations.
Advise leadership and HR on employee relations, performance management, workplace complaints, investigations, discipline, and separations.
Draft, review, and negotiate employment-related agreements and support clear, consistently applied policies.
Review and negotiate vendor and service agreements, assessing obligations, costs, renewal terms, termination rights, and exposure.
Coordinate specialized outside counsel when needed and manage assignments toward timely, practical resolutions.
Investigate potential legal, ethical, financial, operational, or reputational exposure arising from the firm’s cases by reviewing facts, documents, legal authority, deadlines, and proposed approaches.
Deliver concise risk assessments that explain concerns, potential consequences, available options, and recommended actions.
Work with responsible attorneys to confirm appropriate steps and follow corrective actions through completion while preserving the responsible attorney’s ownership of the matter.
Escalate urgent or material concerns promptly with the best available analysis and a plan to resolve remaining questions.
Help spearhead legal work for a potential MSO transition, coordinating with leadership and outside advisers to assess structure, requirements, risks, agreements, and implementation.
Support potential acquisitions through due diligence, transaction review, negotiation, closing, and integration planning.
Identify professional responsibility and other regulatory considerations requiring specialized advice.

Benefits

Competitive salary commensurate with experience
Professional development and continuing education support
Medical, dental, and vision plans
Hospital plans
401(k) retirement plan with pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions
Company-paid basic life and AD&D insurance, plus voluntary life and AD&D coverage for employees and dependents
Company-paid short- and long-term disability
Health and dependent care spending accounts (HSA and DCFSA)
Employee Assistance Program
Tuition assistance
Paid time off and paid holidays
Collaborative, growth-oriented team environment