Chief Legal Officer

Focused on Employment and Labor Law Since 1958
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. This person should understand and be experienced with managing a variety of issues in a law firm setting in the General Counsel function.

Reporting to the 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.

Duties and 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.

Demonstrate strong understanding of all operating matters in a law firm setting from a GC function and proactively identify issues and solutions quickly.

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 OGC functions.

Define processes, implement appropriate governance and controls, and operationalize 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.

Skills and Educational Requirements
JD from an ABA‑accredited law school.

Experience working in‑house at a large multi‑office AMLAW 200 law firm as the General Counsel (or Deputy General Counsel with a sufficiently broad remit) is required.

20+ years of relevant and progressive experience; active member in good standing with a 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 challenges inherent to large‑scale environments.

Excellent attention to detail.

Excellent written and oral communication, negotiation, and judgment skills.

Strong organizational and project management skills.

Strong understanding of Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel is a plus.

#LI‑LM1
#LI‑Hybrid

Compensation
For New York Metro, California, and Colorado, the expected salary range for this position is between $700,000 and $800,000. This position is also eligible for annual bonuses.

The actual compensation will be determined based on experience and other factors permitted by law.

Benefits
Jackson Lewis offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

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

Equal Employment Opportunity
In furtherance of our culture, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristics protected by law.

Apply here