Associate Legal Counsel

YoungWilliams; Ridgeland (MS); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

YoungWilliams seeks an Associate Legal Counsel to support the Corporate Legal Department in contract administration, regulatory compliance, and risk mitigation. This in-office role in Ridgeland, MS requires strong drafting, research, and multitasking across matters including employment and corporate law.

The successful candidate will manage contract lifecycles, analyze employment regulations, and assist HR and executives with high-risk employee relations and compliance initiatives.

Qualifications

• JD from an accredited law school.
• Active law license in at least one jurisdiction or eligible to become licensed within one year; MS Bar preferred.
• Minimum 2 years of legal practice, internships, or in-office experience.

Responsibilities

• Assist in full lifecycle management, retention, and maintenance of client and vendor contracts.
• Analyze and address regulatory changes impacting employment law and compliance.
• Develop reports for HR and leadership on new or updated regulations.
• Identify compliance gaps and propose policy or training updates.
• Support HR with leave administration and high-risk employee relations matters.

Skills

Legal drafting

Legal research

Multitasking

Contract management

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Mississippi Bar admission preferred

Job description

The Associate Legal Counsel will support the Corporate Legal Department in its administration of client and vendor contracts, corporate entity maintenance, litigation management, state and federal regulation compliance, and high-risk employee relations matters. This role requires exceptional legal drafting skills, research capabilities, and the ability to navigate complex legal issues. The Associate will have a varied workload, addressing multiple subject areas throughout the workday, and is expected to multitask with ease. This is an in-office position in Ridgeland, MS and will require little-to-no off-site work.

CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION

• Assists Legal Counsel with the full lifecycle management, retention, and maintenance of all client and vendor contracts.
• Assists in new vendor review and approval process.

REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

• Analyzes and understands federal, state, and local employment law. Monitors any changes to those laws/regulations.
• Studies and digests employment law regulations (i.e. FMLA, ADA, etc.) to develop subject matter expertise in these areas.
• Creates and delivers reports to HR teams, department heads, and workforce members on new or updated regulations applicable to the business.

RISK MITIGATION

• Works with Legal Counsel and HR to address Compliance risks related to hiring practices, leave administration, and new/recently passed employment laws.
• Identifies Compliance gaps and communicates with Legal Counsel and HR about any proposed solutions.
• Recommends timely adjustments to policies, procedures, systems, and training as the result of any legal/regulatory changes impacting the YoungWilliams workforce.

EMPLOYEE RELATIONS SUPPORT

• Works with Legal Counsel to respond to federal agency charges by gathering documents, conducting interviews, and drafting the company’s response.
• Provides guidance to company management on high-risk disciplinary actions or employee grievances. Presents to company executives as needed.
• Assists HR with leave of absence administration as needed.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Regular and timely attendance.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Education

• Juris Doctor from an Accredited Law School.
• Active license to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, or the ability to become licensed within one-year. Mississippi Bar membership preferred

Required Experience

• A minimum of 2 years’ legal practice experience or a combination of internships and in-office experieince required.
• Experience with employment law, corporate law, or contract law a plus.