Chief Legal Officer

cainwattersassociates; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 260,000 - 420,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

HSA contributions

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Dental and Vision plans

Unlimited PTO

401k plan

Professional dues

Continuing Education

Parental leave

Wellness programs

Job summary

Cain Watters & Associates seeks a Chief Legal Officer to guide strategic legal affairs, oversee enterprise contract management, and lead compliance and governance across the firm. The CLO partners with the Executive Committee to pursue growth initiatives and scalable operations.

Ideal candidates have a JD, 12–15 years of in-house experience, and a track record of cross-functional leadership and risk management in professional services.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school required.
• 12-15 years of legal experience, in-house preferred.
• Experience leading enterprise contract management and governance.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal counsel to the Executive Committee and leadership.
• Oversee contract management, risk mitigation, and governance.
• Lead compliance through the Chief Compliance Officer.
• Drive growth initiatives and operational excellence across the firm.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Legal counsel

Contract management

Governance

Regulatory risk

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Bachelor’s degree in business

Tools

Legal operations software

Job description

Summary/Objective

Reporting to the Executive Committee, the Chief Legal Officer (CLO) is a critical member of the executive leadership team responsible for providing strategic legal counsel, overseeing enterprise contract management, leading key growth initiatives, and supporting operational excellence across the firm. The CLO serves as the firm's chief legal advisor while overseeing the Chief Compliance Officer and leading strategic initiatives and special projects that support firm growth, scalability, and long-term enterprise value.

Essential Functions

1. Serve as the principal legal advisor to the Executive Committee and executive leadership team, providing strategic counsel on legal, regulatory, governance, and risk-related matters.
2. Lead and oversee the firm's legal affairs, including contract management, risk mitigation, corporate governance, and legal operations.
3. Direct and develop the firm's compliance function throughoversightof the Chief Compliance Officer.
4. Support enterprise strategic initiatives and special projects focused on firm growth, innovation, scalability, and operational excellence.
5. Partner with executive leadership to evaluate business opportunities, improve organizational effectiveness, and align legal and operational strategies with firmobjectives.
6. Identify, assess, and manage legal, regulatory, operational, and reputational risks while regularly reporting recommendations to the Executive Committee.

Responsibilities and Duties

1. Develop and execute the firm's legal strategy in alignment with organizational goals and long-term business objectives.
2. Oversee the firm's contract management process, including contract review, negotiation, administration, and risk assessment.
3. Establish policies, procedures, and controls to ensure consistency and effectiveness in contract governance, legal operations, and corporate governance.
4. Serve as a trusted advisor to executive and department leadership regarding legal obligations, contractual matters, business initiatives, strategic priorities, and organizational risk.
5. Establish and monitor KPIs related to legal operations, compliance activities, contract management, and strategic initiatives.
6. Provide strategic oversight of the Chief Compliance Officer, aligning compliance, risk management, and legal priorities with the firm's business objectives.
7. Draft, review, negotiate, and oversee client, vendor, employment, technology, and other business agreements.
8. Manage relationships with outside legal counsel, specialized advisors, and regulatory agencies, as appropriate.
9. Provide guidance regarding employment law matters, business transactions, litigation management, regulatory examinations, and dispute resolution.
10. Lead cross-functional strategic initiatives from concept through implementation, ensuring alignment with firm objectives, measurable outcomes, and successful adoption across the organization.
11. Serve as executive sponsor for special projects identified by the Executive Committee, driving initiatives that support revenue growth, market expansion, service line development, operational scalability, and long-term enterprise value creation.
12. Monitor emerging legal, regulatory, industry, and market developments that may create opportunities or risks for the firm's strategic objectives while fostering cross-departmental collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of essential functions or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Essential functions and responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Operations Management, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law schoolrequired.
• Minimum of 12-15 years of legal experience, includingsignificant experienceserving as in-house counsel, general counsel, or senior legal executive.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex contract negotiations, enterprise contract management programs, and legal risk management initiatives.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional strategic initiatives and special projects from concept through implementation, including project planning, stakeholder management, execution, and measurement of results.
• Proven track record identifying, evaluating, and executing business initiatives that drive organizational growth, operational scalability, process improvement, and enhanced client experience.
• Strong understanding of corporate governance, compliance, risk management, employment law, and business transactions.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with process improvement methodologies and change management.
• Proficiency in leveraging technology and data analytics to drive operational efficiency.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving.
• Strong decision-making and analytical skills.
• Ability to lead and inspire diverse teams.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Commitment to fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability.

Travel

No travel is expected for this position

Work Environment

This job operates in a clerical, office setting. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Physical Demands

This is a largely sedentary role; however, some filing may be required. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand as necessary.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time, exempt position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Some flexibility in hours is allowed based on management’s approval. The ability to work remotely is allowed based on management’s approval.

Job Compensation & Benefits

Through our competitive compensation and benefits program, we seek to attract, retain and motivate a high-performing and increasingly diverse Associate population. Our compensation and benefit structure is comprised of many factors, including but not limited the size of our Firm, our financial position, the industry, business objectives, market salary information, benchmark pay levels and practices against the respective peer group (to ensure equal pay for equal work, with allowable pay differences based on factors not prohibited by law), and unique circumstances of the Firm that are subject to change.

Benefits

• Heavily subsidized medical insurance options
• Generous employer HSA contributions
• 100% employer-paid Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Accident, Basic Life Insurance, and Telehealth/Virtual Urgent Care/Whole Mental Health
• Dental and Vision plans
• Unlimited PTO
• Organization-paid holidays, including an extended Winter Break
• Safe Harbor 401k Plan
• Employer-paid professional dues, licenses, and renewals
• Continuing Education resources
• Family Planning Assistance Program and Paid Parental Leave
• Subsidized fitness programs

CWA has consistently been recognized from rating services and publications such as:

• INSIDE Public Accounting - Top 100 Firms (2022, 2023, 2024)
• Top Workplaces - Financial Services (2024)
• Top Workplaces - Culture Excellence (2024)
• Accounting Today - Top Firm by AUM (2024)
• USA Today - Top Workplaces (2024, 2025)
• Accounting Today - Top 100 Firms (2022, 2023, 2026)
• Forbes America's Best Tax & Accounting Firms (2022, 2023)
• INSIDE Public Accounting - Top 100 Fastest Growing Firms (2022)
• Dallas Morning News - Top Workplace (2022, 2023)
• Accounting Today - Beyond Top 100: Firms to Watch (2020)
• Accounting Today - Regional Leaders Top Firms (2012, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2020)
• INSIDE Public Accounting - Beyond the Top 100 (2015, 2016, 2018, 2020)
• INSIDE Public Accounting - Top 200 Firms (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)

Cain Watters & Associates is committed to upholding the principles of the Equal Pay and Opportunity Act (EPOA). If you have any concerns regarding compliance with this policy, we encourage you to report them immediately by contacting HR at [e-mail]. Your concerns will be handled with the utmost confidentiality and care.