Corporate Counsel

athenahealth; United States; On-site; USD 149,000 - 253,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual discretionary bonus

Equity plans

Job summary

athenahealth is seeking a Corporate Counsel in the United States to develop deep expertise in digital health law. You will advise on health data, privacy, AI, data sharing, and regulatory matters while partnering with product and commercial teams.

The ideal candidate has a J.D., admission to a U.S. state bar, and 3–5 years of contract and regulatory experience. You will translate complex concepts into practical guidance in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• J.D. from a well‑recognized law school with excellent academic credentials.
• Admitted to the Massachusetts state bar or another U.S. state bar.
• 2–5 years business contract and regulatory experience; in‑house or large law firm a plus.
• Regulatory experience, especially health industry or FDA experience, a plus.
• Superior verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills and ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to think creatively and strategically with business acumen.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Clear communication to clients and employees with balanced risk guidance.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal review of new and evolving digital health products, services and data-use initiatives.
• Offer first-pass legal analysis on privacy, health data laws, FDA guidance, and privacy operations.
• Help evaluate data-use questions and interoperability and patient record sharing workstreams.
• Issue-spot antitrust and competition considerations.
• Advise on AI-related questions and monitor evolving laws and regulations.
• Partner with information security on AI and national security matters.
• Turn complex legal requirements into scalable playbooks and templates.
• Draft concise, business-oriented legal guidance and decision records.
• Support transactional work, including M&A and strategic investments.

Skills

Verbal and written communication

Strategic thinking

Time management

Ambiguity handling

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Education

J.D. from a well‑recognized law school

Massachusetts bar or other U.S. state bar admission

Job description

Join us as we work to create a thriving ecosystem that delivers accessible, high-quality, and sustainable healthcare for all.

Corporate Counsel

This is an opportunity for a 3–5 year attorney who wants to build deep expertise in digital health law while advising on novel questions involving health data, consumer privacy, patient access, new product development, AI-enabled services, de‑identification, data sharing, and evolving regulatory requirements.

The ideal candidate is comfortable operating in ambiguity, translating complex legal concepts into practical business guidance, partnering with product and commercial stakeholders, and escalating judgment‑heavy issues appropriately to senior legal leaders.

Essential Responsibilities

• Support legal review of new and evolving digital health products, services, partnerships, and data‑use initiatives, including emerging services questionnaires, alpha/beta pilots, service descriptions, and general availability readiness.
• Provide first‑pass legal analysis and practical guidance on privacy, health data laws, FDA laws/guidance, and privacy operations.
• Help evaluate data‑use questions.
• Support interoperability and patient record sharing workstreams.
• Issue‑spot antitrust and competition considerations.
• Assist with novel questions related to the use of AI and monitor developing laws and regulations.
• Partner with information security team on AI, national security, and related matters.
• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to turn complex legal requirements into scalable processes, playbooks, templates, and operational guidance.
• Monitor emerging laws, regulations, litigation, enforcement trends, and industry developments affecting digital health, privacy, interoperability, AI, patient access, and regulated data use.
• Draft concise, business‑oriented legal guidance, stakeholder communications, issue summaries, and decision records that help the company move quickly while maintaining appropriate legal and compliance guardrails.
• Support transactional work, as needed (e.g., M&A and strategic investments).

Expected Education & Experience

• J.D. from a well‑recognized law school; and excellent academic credentials
• Admitted to the Massachusetts state bar or another U.S. state bar
• 2-5 years business contract and regulatory; prior in‑house or large law firm experience a plus
• Regulatory, especially health industry or FDA, experience a plus
• Superior verbal and written communication skills
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability and willingness to spend the time necessary to meet demanding deadlines and adjust to shifting priorities
• Ability to think creatively and strategically, with both business acumen and legal skills
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and to flourish in a fast‑paced and high‑stress environment.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills, including the ability to communicate concisely to clients & employees, to integrate legal and business knowledge and to provide balanced advice regarding risks.

Expected Compensation

$149,000 - $253,000

The base salary range shown reflects the full range for this role from minimum to maximum. At athenahealth, base pay depends on multiple factors, including job‑related experience, relevant knowledge and skills, how your qualifications compare to others in similar roles, and geographical market rates. Base pay is only one part of our competitive Total Rewards package - depending on role eligibility, we offer both short and long‑term incentives by way of an annual discretionary bonus plan, variable compensation plan, and equity plans.

About Athenahealth

Our vision:

In an industry that becomes more complex by the day, we stand for simplicity. We offer IT solutions and expert services that eliminate the daily hurdles preventing healthcare providers from focusing entirely on their patients — powered by our vision to create a thriving ecosystem that delivers accessible, high-quality, and sustainable healthcare for all.

Our company culture:

Our talented employees — or athenistas, as we call ourselves — spark the innovation and passion needed to accomplish our vision. We are a diverse group of dreamers and do‑ers with unique knowledge, expertise, backgrounds, and perspectives. We unite as mission‑driven problem‑solvers with a deep desire to achieve our vision and make our time here count. Our award‑winning culture is built around shared values of inclusiveness, accountability, and support.

Our DEI commitment:

Our vision of accessible, high‑quality, and sustainable healthcare for all requires addressing the inequities that stand in the way. That’s one reason we prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion in every aspect of our business, from attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce to maintaining an inclusive environment for athenistas, our partners, customers and the communities where we work and serve.

What We Can Do For You

Along with health and financial benefits, athenistas enjoy perks specific to each location, including commuter support, employee assistance programs, tuition assistance, employee resource groups, and collaborative workspaces — some offices even welcome dogs.

We also encourage a better work‑life balance for athenistas with our flexibility. While we know in‑office collaboration is critical to our vision, we recognize that not all work needs to be done within an office environment, full‑time. With consistent communication and digital collaboration tools, athenahealth enables employees to find a balance that feels fulfilling and productive for each individual situation.

In addition to our traditional benefits and perks, we sponsor events throughout the year, including book clubs, external speakers, and hackathons. We provide athenistas with a company culture based on learning, the support of an engaged team, and an inclusive environment where all employees are valued.

Learn more about our culture and benefits here: athenahealth.com/careers

https://www.athenahealth.com/careers/equal‑opportunity