Associate Legal Counsel

YoungWilliams; Ridgeland (MS); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

YoungWilliams seeks an Associate Legal Counsel to support the Corporate Legal Department in managing contracts, regulatory compliance, and risk mitigation. The role requires strong drafting, research, and ability to navigate complex employment and corporate matters across multiple subject areas.

The Associate will assist with contract administration, vendor reviews, compliance reporting, employee relations support, and policy updates, collaborating with HR and senior counsel in a fast-paced

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• Active license to practice law in at least one jurisdiction (Mississippi preferred).
• Minimum of 2 years of legal practice experience.
• Experience with employment, corporate, or contract law preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist in full lifecycle management, retention, and maintenance of client and vendor contracts.
• Assist in new vendor review and approval process.
• Analyze and understand federal, state, and local employment law; monitor changes.
• Develop subject matter expertise in employment law regulations (FMLA, ADA, etc.).
• Create and deliver regulatory reports to HR and leadership.
• Address compliance risks related to hiring practices and leave administration.
• Support HR with leave of absence administration.
• Respond to federal agency charges by gathering documents, interviewing, and drafting responses.
• Advise on high-risk disciplinary actions or employee grievances.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Legal drafting

Legal research

Contract management

Regulatory compliance

Employee relations

Mississippi law

Education

Juris Doctor from an Accredited Law School

Active license to practice law (Mississippi preferred)

Tools

MS Office

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.

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.

Summary of Position

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.

Essential Job Requirements

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, Mississippi preferred.

Required Experience

• A minimum of 2 years’ legal practice experience required.
• Experience with employment law, corporate law, or contract law preferred.