Assistant General Counsel

Steptoe LLP; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 200,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Steptoe LLP seeks an Assistant General Counsel to serve as a trusted advisor to the General Counsel and firm leadership. The role focuses on identifying, evaluating, and managing legal, ethical, regulatory, and firm risk while providing practical, business-focused guidance.

You will counsel on conflicts, confidentiality, privilege, and professional responsibility; negotiate and draft key agreements; handle sensitive investigations; and collaborate with HR and IT on policy, privacy, and training

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and must be licensed and in good standing in the District of Columbia.
• Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible legal experience, preferably including law firm counsel and risk management.
• Strong working knowledge of legal ethics and professional responsibility with ability to analyze conflicts and risk.
• Experience independently managing sensitive legal matters, conducting legal research, and advising senior stakeholders.
• Strong drafting, negotiation, analytical, and communication skills; ability to translate complex issues into actionable guidance.
• Discretion and sound judgment in handling confidential and privileged information.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced professional services environment and collaborate across offices.

Responsibilities

• Advise the General Counsel and firm leadership on legal, ethics, regulatory, compliance, and risk matters.
• Provide counsel on conflicts, confidentiality, privilege, and related professional responsibility issues.
• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial and operational agreements.
• Manage and respond to claims, subpoenas, investigations, and other legal processes.
• Conduct or support privileged internal investigations and risk assessments.
• Collaborate with People Operations on employment-related legal matters.
• Coordinate with Information Security on data privacy and cybersecurity issues.
• Monitor developments in professional responsibility rules and firm policies.
• Develop training and guidance on ethics and compliance for lawyers and staff.
• Maintain privileged matter records and report status to the General Counsel.

Skills

Legal ethics

Conflicts of interest

Negotiation

Drafting

Risk management

Investigations

Data privacy

Training

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Juris Doctor degree

Job description

The Assistant General Counsel serves as a legal advisor to the Firm and supports the General Counsel in identifying, evaluating, and managing legal, ethical, regulatory, and Firm risk. The role provides practical, business-focused counsel to Firm leadership, lawyers, Partners, legal services and business services teams; handles sensitive and privileged matters; and develops proactive strategies, policies, and training that protect the Firm while supporting its client service and operational objectives.

Essential Functions

• Advise the General Counsel, Firm leadership, partners, and business services leaders on legal, professional responsibility, ethics, regulatory, compliance, and risk management matters affecting the Firm.
• Provide counsel on conflicts of interest, confidentiality, privilege, attorney mobility, client and matter acceptance, ethical walls, waivers, and other professional responsibility issues, in coordination with the Firm's Conflicts and Intake Compliance team.
• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial and operational agreements, including vendor, consulting, confidentiality, technology, data protection, and other agreements entered into by the Firm.
• Manage and respond to claims, disputes, demands, subpoenas, investigations, litigation holds, and other legal process involving the Firm; coordinate with insurers and outside counsel when appropriate.
• Conduct or support privileged internal investigations and legal reviews of sensitive matters, assess risk, and recommend practical corrective or preventive action.
• Partner with People Operations on employment-related legal matters, policies, employee relations issues, and investigations as requested, and coordinate with outside employment counsel when needed.
• Partner with Information Security, Technology, and other stakeholders on data privacy, cybersecurity, incident response, records, and information governance matters that present legal or regulatory risk.
• Monitor developments in professional responsibility rules, laws, regulations, and industry practices affecting law firm operations; assess impact and recommend updates to policies, procedures, controls, and training.
• Develop and deliver training and guidance for lawyers and business professionals on ethics, risk management, legal compliance, and other areas within the Office of General Counsel's responsibility.
• Maintain appropriate privileged and confidential matter records, track significant legal and risk issues, and provide clear status reporting and recommendations to the General Counsel and other stakeholders.

Non-Essential Functions

• Participate in Firm committees, working groups, professional organizations, and internal initiatives related to legal, ethics, compliance, and risk management matters.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned by the General Counsel.

Minimum Qualification

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and be licensed and in good standing in the District of Columbia.
• Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible legal experience, preferably including law firm counsel, professional responsibility, risk management, sophisticated in-house legal work, or a combination of relevant experience.
• Strong working knowledge of legal ethics and professional responsibility principles, with the ability to analyze complex conflicts, confidentiality, privilege, and law firm risk issues.
• Demonstrated experience independently managing sensitive legal matters, conducting legal research and investigations, and providing practical advice to senior stakeholders.
• Strong drafting, negotiation, analytical, and oral and written communication skills, with the ability to translate complex legal issues into clear, actionable guidance.
• Demonstrated discretion and sound judgment in handling highly confidential, privileged, and sensitive information.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and time-sensitive matters in a fast-paced professional services environment and to collaborate effectively across offices and functions.

Success Factors

• Exercises excellent legal judgment and balances risk mitigation with the Firm's business, operational, and client service objectives.
• Builds credibility and trusted relationships with Firm leadership, lawyers, and business services professionals through discretion, responsiveness, and practical problem solving.
• Anticipates issues, identifies emerging risks early, and develops pragmatic solutions before matters escalates.
• Communicates complex legal concepts clearly and appropriately for the audience and provides concise recommendations that support decision-making.
• Works collaboratively across functions while maintaining independence of judgment and the confidentiality of privileged matters.
• Demonstrates strong organization, ownership, follow-through, and attention to detail across multiple high-priority matters.
• Models the Firm's values, professional standards, and commitment to client service, integrity, and continuous improvement.

Work Environment

• Professional office environment with a hybrid work arrangement, subject to Firm policy and business needs.
• Work routinely requires prolonged use of a computer and participation in in-person and virtual meetings.
• Periodic travel between Firm offices or to other locations may be required.
• Occasional work outside regular business hours may be required to address urgent, confidential, or time-sensitive legal matters.

The anticipated base salary range for this position is $200,000 - $240,000. The actual base salary offered will be dependent upon the applicant's experience and qualifications, as well as other job-related factors, including but not limited to, relevant skills, education, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, geographic location.

Steptoe offers a full range of benefits for you and your eligible dependents. Benefits currently include: medical, dental, vision, life, disability, dependent care, health care flexible spending accounts, 401K Plan, Profit-Sharing, Paid Time-Off and a robust Wellness Program.

Steptoe LLP is an equal opportunity employer EOE/Disability/Veteran. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information, or any basis proscribed by applicable statutes.