Counsel, Litigation and Employment

Newport Academy; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Newport Healthcare is seeking a senior Counsel, Litigation and Employment to shape and execute the organization's legal strategy across general litigation, employment law, and insured claims. This role partners with HR, Compliance, and Operations to mitigate risk, ensure regulatory compliance, and support enterprise-wide integrity.

Reports to the Chief Legal and Development Officer and provides regular updates to senior leadership.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school and licensed to practice in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• Minimum of 5 years of legal experience in employment law, litigation, and risk management.
• Extensive experience advising HR on training, policy development, and legal counsel.
• Experience handling wage/hour issues, internal investigations, and agency claims.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day legal advice on employment and labor law issues.
• Monitor regulatory changes and train HR and leadership teams.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws.
• Advise on labor relations, bargaining agreements, and grievances.
• Lead litigation strategy and coordinate with outside counsel.
• Manage insured claims and coordinate defense with HR and third parties.

Skills

Employment law

Litigation strategy

Risk management

HR training

Policy development

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Job description

What You’ll Do

The Counsel, Litigation and Employment is responsible for developing and executing Newport Healthcare’s legal strategy related to general litigation, employment law, and insured claims. This senior legal role ensures proactive identification, mitigation, and resolution of organizational legal risks—including employment, workers’ compensation, and general liability claims—while supporting enterprise-wide compliance with employment laws and regulatory standards. This key leader partners cross-functionally with Human Resources (HR), Compliance, Operations, and other departments to promote a culture of accountability, legal integrity, and operational resilience. This role reports directly to the company’s Chief Legal and Development Officer and provides regular legal insights and risk updates to senior leadership.

Key Performance Responsibilities:

• Provide day-to-day legal advice on a broad range of employment and labor law issues, including hiring, discipline, leave management, terminations, wage and hour compliance, and workplace accommodations.
• Monitor evolving employment law and healthcare-specific regulatory requirements and provide timely updates and training to HR and leadership teams.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, including the FMLA, CFRA, FEHA, FLSA, ADA, and Title VII.
• Advise on labor relations and union matters, including collective bargaining agreements and grievance procedures, where applicable.
• Support HR and Compliance in conducting workplace investigations involving employee complaints, harassment, discrimination, and other policy violations.
• Lead legal strategy for internal and external litigation matters, including coordination with outside counsel on case strategy, discovery, depositions, and litigation holds.
• Respond to regulatory agency complaints and participate in audits or investigations.
• Identify, evaluate, and mitigate legal risks in collaboration with Compliance, HR, and Operations teams.
• Manage and oversee commercial litigation matters, including disputes related to contracts, vendors, business operations, intellectual property, and regulatory compliance; coordinate strategy and representation with outside counsel.
• Provide legal oversight on all insured claims, including workers’ compensation, auto liability, professional liability, and EPLI claims, ensuring timely reporting, compliance, and cost containment.
• Coordinate with HR, Operations, and third-party administrators to ensure proper handling and defense of claims.
• Advise on resolution and mediation strategies and reserve recommendations.
• Support HR in the development and implementation of company policies, employee handbooks, training programs, and best practices.
• Lead or support legal process management initiatives, including the development of workflows, templates, matter tracking systems, and document retention protocols to ensure consistency, efficiency, and regulatory compliance across legal functions.
• Deliver training to leaders and staff on legal compliance, claims awareness, and risk reduction best practices.
• Monitor legal and regulatory developments in labor & employment law, litigation, workplace safety, and risk management.
• Foster a culture of legal and ethical compliance through collaboration with HR, Compliance, Operations, and other departments.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What Makes You a Great Fit

Education, Experience, License Requirements:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school and licensed to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• Minimum of 5 years of legal experience in employment law, litigation, and/or risk management.
• Extensive experience supporting HR through employee training, policy development, and general advice and counsel.
• Demonstrated experience with wage and hour issues, internal investigations, and managing or responding to agency claims.
• Knowledge of workers' compensation systems and claims defense practices.
• Strong analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills; ability to provide practical, business-minded legal advice to a wide range of stakeholders.

Additional Details

Seeking candidates within the Nashville/surrounding areas for this Hybrid schedule position.