Job Description
Experience in Employment Law Preferred About the Role We are seeking an accomplished and strategic General Counsel / Chief Compliance Officer to serve as our in-house legal leader. This is a high-impact, multidisciplinary role spanning legal oversight, regulatory compliance, operations management, human resources guidance, and firm-wide risk mitigation. The ideal candidate is a licensed attorney with deep knowledge of California professional responsibility rules, employment law, and business operations — someone equally comfortable in the boardroom and the weeds of day-to-day compliance. This role is central to the Firm's continued growth across its core Employment practice, Immigration Department, and emerging Data Breach practice. Key Responsibilities In-House Legal & Compliance Oversee internal litigation, fee arbitrations, bar complaints, interpleaders, employment disputes, privacy matters, marketing compliance, and commercial disputes Serve as liaison with outside ethics counsel, intellectual property counsel, and regulatory bodies (State Bar, Secretary of State, LWDA, etc.) Negotiate and review a broad range of contracts including leases, vendor agreements, technology agreements, employment agreements, and banking arrangements Identify compliance risks proactively and implement mitigation strategies across all departments Human Resources & Operations Ensure compliance with all laws governing the maintenance of a California law corporation, including Secretary of State and State Bar requirements Oversee OSHA compliance, insurance policy management, employee benefits review, and audit responses Supervise conflict screening procedures for incoming attorneys and legal staff Assist in high-level hiring decisions and HR investigations, including guidance on 401(k) management Finance & Accounting Lead IOLTA/CTAPP compliance, including monthly reconciliations, annual reporting, and cash collection policy oversight Ensure adherence to attorney lien obligations and fund distribution deadlines (15-day and 45-day requirements) Supervise finance-led compliance initiatives including bank audits Marketing, Intake & Pre-Litigation Compliance Review and approve all marketing materials, website content, scripts, referral agreements, and advertising platform arrangements for compliance with the California Rules of Professional Conduct, TCPA, CAN-SPAM, SB37, and consumer protection laws Implement auditing systems for marketing vendors, intake teams, and virtual assistants Ensure ethical compliance in all communications with putative class members and witnesses Oversee retainer agreements, intake workflows, and PAGA notice procedures Technology & AI Governance Develop and enforce firmwide AI use policies, including requirements for attorney review, fact-checking, and safeguards against unauthorized practice of law Create and maintain the Firm's privacy policy in compliance with CCPA and the California Rules of Professional Conduct Oversee data deletion requests and technology vendor compliance Monitor evolving AI regulations, ethics opinions, and emerging case law Strategic & Firm Leadership Participate in firmwide leadership meetings and contribute to strategic planning Assist with firm expansion efforts including new practice areas, additional states, and new office launches Build compliance frameworks and staffing models to support organizational growth Qualifications Active membership in the California State Bar (required) 7+ years of legal experience, preferably with a blend of in-house and law firm background Strong knowledge of California employment law, professional responsibility rules, and business compliance Experience with wage-and-hour class actions and/or PAGA matters a significant plus Familiarity with immigration law operations and multi-jurisdictional compliance preferred Experience with data privacy regulations (CCPA, TCPA, CAN-SPAM) strongly preferred Demonstrated ability to manage multiple practice areas and cross-functional teams Exceptional communication, judgment, and leadership skills