Description:

Overview:
The role works under the supervision of the Sr Corporate Counsel, and with general oversight by the Deputy General Counsel and General Counsel. The Corporate Counsel, Employment will work closely with attorneys and paralegals in the Legal Department, dental professionals, operations leaders, administrative support staff, and other business functions in the organization, to provide legal and related support integral to the organization's operations and imperatives. The role will provide subject matter expertise and solutions-oriented legal guidance on all aspects of employment law across the U.S., while mitigating risk and ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and company policies and procedures.

Responsibilities:

Provide legal research, advice, and support to the Sr Corporate Counsel and People Services department on all aspects of employment law across the U.S.
Research and advise on employment law topics such as employee handbooks, policies, and procedures; immigration; recruiting and hiring; employee relations; performance management; discipline and terminations; internal investigations; disability and accommodations; sick leave and other leaves of absence; wage and hour; compensation and benefits; discrimination, harassment and retaliation; and confidentiality and restrictive covenants to ensure best practices and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Develop solutions and manage projects related to implementation of advice.
Research and keep current on developments in employment law across the U.S. Keep informed of significant employment law trends, legislation, caselaw, and agency actions, and make timely recommendations on related actions.
Develop and provide employment-related training.
Provide legal guidance and support regarding the organization's contingent workforce and agency workers.
Handle and resolve escalated employment-related disputes and investigations and prepare investigation reports.
Draft, negotiate, manage, and advise the Sr Corporate Counsel and business teams with respect to employment agreements and related templates and documents, independent contractor agreements, clinician provider agreements, restrictive covenant agreements, intellectual property agreements, separation agreements, externship affiliation agreements, staffing agreements, promissory notes, incentive plans, and other similar agreements and documents.
Draft and coordinate responses to requests for employment records, demand letters, dental board inquiries, and government audits and investigations.
Advise on all employee benefit issues, including ERISA and retirement plans, and health and welfare plans.
Provide legal advice and counsel on compliance with employee privacy law topics.
Provide support on pre-litigation and litigation matters, including regulatory and agency matters.
Develop case strategies and budgets, prepare and review pleadings and discovery responses, prepare witnesses, conduct fact investigation and witness interviews, and negotiate settlements.
Identify, engage, and manage outside counsel.
Provide general corporate support, with a focus on relevant employment topics.
Advise on employment aspects of various business transactions, including reorganizations and integrations, and other significant projects/initiatives.
Perform online research on legal and business-related matters.
Key advisor to various business departments on legal initiatives, general compliance matters, and proposed actions and policies. Requires strong written and oral communication skills and the ability to spot issues that are important to the organization.
Manage various legal projects to successful completion. Must be able to handle multiple ongoing projects in a timely manner to meet deadlines.
Handle confidential information with the highest degree of care.
Effectively interact and communicate with the organization's People Services department, management, other internal and external clients, and outside counsel.
Research, anticipate, and guard PDS and its supported entities against legal risks.
Additional duties and responsibilities, as assigned.

Qualifications:

J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school, with strong academic record.
Licensed to practice law in good standing in one state.
6+ years of employment law experience at a top-tier law firm (at the attorney level), including providing employment advice and counsel and handling employment litigation.
Employment advice and counsel experience includes the following: ADA and other types of accommodations, FMLA and other types of leaves, employee terminations, reductions in force, wage and hour, employee classification, performance management, privacy, workplace investigations, and employee relations issues.
Employment litigation experience includes the following: investigating and responding to claims and administrative charges, responding to complaints, conducting discovery, taking depositions, drafting motions for summary judgment, and preparing for trial.
Strong influencing and collaborating skills.
Able to identify and manage legal and other types of risks and have solid judgment.
Able to analyze complex situations and develop simple, concise, and effective legal solutions.
Strong writing and communication skills.
Attention to detail.
Self-starter; able to manage workload with little oversight or direction.

Preferred:

Combination of top-tier law firm and in-house experience.
Licensed, and experience practicing employment law, in California.
Healthcare and/or dental industry experience.
Managing employment or independent contractor agreements.
Immigration, ERISA, 401(k), and/or benefit experience.
Familiarity with Docusign CLM and Smartsheet.
Experience with team leadership and supervising others.
Experience with improving processes and systems; strong project management skills.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

Strong labor and employment background and litigation management experience in multiple U.S. jurisdictions, including California.
Excellent research, writing, and negotiation skills.
Ability to interface successfully with all levels of internal and external clients to develop and maintain good working relationships.
Ability to work independently, set priorities, work within budget, meet deadlines and resolve complex problems, with a thorough understanding of the business and legal environments.
Demonstrated ability to implement legal strategies to meet business goals.
Willingness to be flexible and adaptive and demonstrate a desire to operate in a dynamic and high-growth environment.
Outstanding communication skills, highly presentable and articulate.
Self-motivated, well organized and detail oriented.
Creative problem solver who possesses sound business judgment, business acumen and common sense
Demonstrated ability to diffuse high pressure situations and resolve difficult problems.
Ability to effectively supervise one or more individuals; delegate assignments and projects, provide coaching and guidance.
Ability to proactively raise, recommend and resolve issues.
Highly developed teambuilding, influencing, and collaboration skills.
Ability to direct the work of others and work as a team leader in attainment of goals.
Ability to interpret and apply policies and procedures.
Ability to handle and maintain extreme confidentially with employee records, compensation information, PII, PHI, etc.