Description:
The Position:The Corporate Counsel serves as the primary legal officer for An In-House Firm and is responsible for all legal, regulatory, and risk management matters related to senior living operations, in collaboration with the company's senior legal counsel. This role provides strategic legal guidance on regulatory compliance, state licensing, healthcare law, real estate transactions, contract negotiations, and corporate governance, ensuring the organization operates within the framework of federal and state laws.
The ideal candidate is an experienced legal professional with expertise in contract law, real estate law, and corporate transactions. This position requires strong leadership in navigating the multi-state regulatory landscape, advising executive leadership, and mitigating legal risks in an evolving industry.
Responsibilities:
Regulatory Compliance
- Ensure Compliance with federal, state, and local regulations governing senior living communities, including state-specific licensing for assisted living and memory care; CMS and Medicare/Medicaid regulations affecting reimbursement and facility operations; and safety compliance (OSHA, HIPAA, ADA, FHA, elder protection laws).
- Monitor and interpret changes in federal and state regulations across 11 states, advising leadership on necessary operational adjustments.
- Liaise with regulatory agencies, including state health departments, long-term care ombudsmen, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), to ensure proper licensing, reporting, and compliance.
- Provide legal guidance on multi-state employment laws to ensure compliance.
- Develop and oversee compliance policies and training for executive and operational teams.
- Identify and mitigate legal risks related to resident care, service agreements, property operations, and liability exposure.
- Oversee litigation strategy for resident disputes, regulatory investigations, and general liability claims, working with external counsel as needed.
- Ensure that appropriate insurance coverage and risk mitigation policies are in place for professional liability, general liability, and property matters.
- Conduct internal legal reviews and investigations related to compliance concerns, resident issues, and corporate governance.
- Draft, review, and negotiate contracts and agreements, including vendor and service agreements for facility operations and resident care, real estate transactions, leases, and property acquisitions for senior living communities, as well as partnership and development agreements related to expansion and growth initiatives.
- Provide legal guidance on land use, zoning, and property development for new and existing communities.
- Ensure that real estate and business transactions align with corporate objectives and comply with relevant regulatory requirements.
- Oversee corporate structuring, mergers and acquisitions, and entity governance for multi-state operations.
- Advise the CEO and Executive Leadership on legal risks, governance issues, and strategic business decisions.
- Ensure compliance with corporate bylaws, governance policies, and state reporting requirements for all An In-House Firm entities.
- Draft and review corporate policies and procedures to ensure legal integrity and compliance.
- Advocate for favorable regulatory frameworks affecting senior living communities.
- Provide insight on legislative proposals, legal trends, and other matters of public policy.
Candidate Qualifications:
Education and Experience:
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
- Active bar membership in Arizona or eligibility for multi-state practice.
- At least ten (10) years of legal experience, with a strong focus on healthcare regulations, real estate transactions, and corporate governance.
- Experience in real estate transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate structuring within the senior living or healthcare industries.
- Strong background in contract law, risk management, and litigation oversight.
- Proven ability to manage multi-state legal and regulatory challenges in a fast-growing organization.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Familiar with federal and state senior living regulations, including licensing, compliance, and healthcare laws.
- Experience working with senior living, healthcare, or long-term care organizations.
- Familiarity with Medicaid/Medicare reimbursement structures and regulatory compliance.
- Expertise in real estate and land use laws related to senior living developments.
