Assistant General Counsel

Overview

The Assistant General Counsel is responsible for providing guidance and advice to the Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, senior management, other administrative departments, and company employees on a wide variety of matters including legal, regulatory compliance, risk management, policy, process, and best practices. The Assistant General Counsel serves as the Legal Department lead for real estate and facilities-related matters, healthcare and regulatory compliance counseling, and licensing and credentialing matters in coordination with Operations, Quality, Real Estate and other administrative departments. The Assistant General Counsel also provides direct or dotted line supervision to other attorneys and legal professionals in the Legal Department.

Responsibilities

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides advice and counsel to the Chief Legal Counsel and other company employees on a range of legal, business, risk management, regulatory compliance and corporate governance matters, as necessary. Representative duties include but are not limited to, the following:
• Conducts research and provides advice related to compliance with state and federal laws, including, but not limited to, employment laws, HIPAA and other privacy and security laws and regulations, and federal and state (Massachusetts and Connecticut) funder regulations.
• Drafts, reviews, and negotiates contracts and other agreements and has primary responsibility for managing the Legal’s department’s contract review function.
• Conducts research and provides advice related to business issues, including potential new business ventures and state and federal grant matters.
• Addresses general corporate matters as assigned, including corporate governance matters for all Vinfen affiliated entities.
• Manages litigation related to Vinfen, Vinfen employees and Vinfen clients, including overseeing outside counsel.
• Conducts research and provides advice regarding mental health law issues, including but not limited to confidentiality, guardianship and representative payee issues; interfacing with law enforcement and/or the civil and criminal justice systems re same.
• Oversees directed investigations of internal discrimination and employee relations complaints, investigation of internal quality or operational concerns.
• Drafts and edits Vinfen policies and procedures and other company policies, procedures and best practices, as necessary.
• Addresses risk management issues, including working with Vinfen’s outside insurance broker, to ensure timely and accurate insurance renewal applications.
• Conducts research and provides advice related to real estate matters, including zoning, contracting, HUD issues, and landlord/tenant issues. 

• Conducts and/or manages litigation involving Vinfen in state and federal courts and agencies. Duties include management of outside counsel, management of litigation strategy, litigation discovery; negotiating potential settlements and drafting settlement agreements; and coordinating internal Vinfen witnesses and documents relevant to litigation. Also has primary responsibility for managing day-to-day oversight of the company’s litigation management function.
• Provides legal counsel to real estate group at Vinfen, including matters of contract, risk management and insurance, and landlord/tenant issues (e.g., HUD housing, eviction processes, duty to warn matters, zoning, etc.).
• Prepares and delivers training to management personnel on particular legal topics (e.g., employment and labor law, mental health law, privacy matters). Develops ongoing training to inform managers of updates and key changes in relevant laws and regulations.
• Administers and provides information to general and professional liability insurers regarding insurance claims under company policies. Regularly interfaces with insurance broker regarding claims and risk management matters.
• Manages the activities of, supervises, and gives performance evaluations to the Paralegal.
• Complies with internal and external documentation and reporting requirements.
• Performs other duties, as assigned.

 

Knowledge and Skills:

• Knowledge of some or all of the following legal areas is desired:
• Employment
• Contracting (development and drafting, reviewing and revising, negotiation)
• Corporate Governance
• Litigation
• Real Estate
• Mental Health/Health Care (including privacy and security legal frameworks)
• Ability to negotiate and solve problems.
• Ability to facilitate and conduct education/training sessions.
• Leadership skills and experience
• Organizational and analytical skills
• Excellent and proven verbal and written presentation and communication skills
• Ability to make sound judgments and decisions efficiently and effectively.
• Ability to work in a professional and confidential capacity.
• Sensitivity to cultural, religious, racial, disability, and gender issues
• Ability to balance many competing priorities.
• Knowledge of personal computer applications and equipment
• Knowledge of Vinfen services, organization and management practices a plus

About Vinfen

Established in 1977, Vinfen is a nonprofit, health and human services organization and a leading provider of community-based services to individuals with mental health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and behavioral health challenges. Our services and advocacy promote the recovery, resiliency, habilitation, and self-determination of the people we serve. Vinfen's 3,500 dedicated employees are experienced, highly-trained professionals who provide a full range of supportive living, health, educational, and clinical services in over 550 sites throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut. For more information about Vinfen, please visit www.vinfen.org/careers.

 

My Job. My Community. My Vinfen.

 

Vinfen is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Qualifications

Typical Requirements:

A minimum of 4-6 years of relevant experience required

Admission to MA Bar required.

Admission to CT Bar preferred.

 

Preferred /Required Education:

Juris Doctorate required.

 

Driving Requirements:

Driving is not required.

 

Physical Effort:

Ability to lift at least 25 pounds using proper lifting techniques. Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment such as a calculator, copier, and printer. Ability to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time as needed. Ability to bend, reach, file, sit, stand and move around the facility. Ability to speak, hear and communicate with clients, staff and external representatives. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

 

Required Certifications/Trainings:

N/A

 

Required Credentials/Licenses:

Admission to MA bar required

Pay Range

USD $165,000.00 - USD $175,000.00 /Yr.