General Counsel

The Ward Law Group, PL; Florida; On-site; USD 170,000 - 320,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Professional development support

401(k)

Health insurance

Life Insurance

Disability insurance

HSA & DCFSA

Paid time off

Job summary

The Ward Law Group is seeking a senior legal leader in Florida to support the Managing Partner with attorney performance, risk assessment, and strategic operations. This role emphasizes accountability, mentoring, and ensuring high standards of client representation.

You will advise on employment matters, negotiate agreements, and help manage vendor contracts, regulatory considerations, and potential MSO transitions or acquisitions, collaborating with HR, finance, and outside counsel to drive

Qualifications

• J.D. with active bar membership; eligible to practice in relevant jurisdictions; 20+ years of litigation or related experience preferred.
• Substantial legal experience demonstrating independent judgment and responsibility for complex matters; personal injury experience or substantial research and writing experience strongly preferred.
• Experience evaluating litigation exposure, advising on employment matters, and negotiating commercial agreements.

Responsibilities

• Support the Managing Partner in attorney performance and accountability; collaborate with senior leadership on performance, productivity, and case progress.
• Advise leadership and HR on employee relations, performance management, investigations, discipline, and separations; review and negotiate employment-related agreements; oversee vendor/service agreements.
• Assess case-related risk and provide concise risk assessments with recommended actions; coordinate with responsible attorneys and escalate as needed.
• Lead MSO transition efforts and assist acquisitions; coordinate with leadership and outside advisers; support due diligence, transaction review, closing, and integration planning.
• Ensure professional responsibility and regulatory considerations are addressed in all actions.

Skills

Litigation experience

Law firm risk management

Negotiation

Research & writing

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

J.D. and active bar membership

20+ years litigation experience

Job description

Join an Award-Winning Personal Injury Law Firm

At The Ward Law Group, our mission is simple:

Changing Lives. One Client at a Time

Recognized as one of the Best Places to Work for consecutive years, we are committed to delivering exceptional legal representation while creating an environment where talented professionals can grow, lead, and make a meaningful impact every day.

We believe our people are our greatest asset. We foster a collaborative, innovative, and high-accountability culture where every team member is empowered to make informed decisions, continuously improve, and deliver exceptional results for our clients. Every role contributes directly to helping injured individuals navigate one of the most challenging times in their lives while supporting the continued growth and success of our firm.

Our Core Values

Faith – We act with integrity, honesty, and purpose in everything we do.

Accountability – We take ownership of our work, our commitments, and the results we deliver.

Leadership – We lead by example, inspire others, embrace continuous improvement, and develop high-performing teams.

Loyalty – We build lasting relationships through trust, respect, and dedication to our clients, teammates, and community.

Service to Our Clients – We are committed to delivering compassionate, responsive, and exceptional service that maximizes every client’s opportunity for success.

Service to Our Teammates – We foster a culture of collaboration, respect, support, and shared success where every team member has the opportunity to grow and thrive.

Service to Our Community – We believe in making a positive impact beyond the workplace by serving and strengthening the communities where we live and work.

If you are passionate about helping injured clients, thrive in a fast-paced, results-driven environment, and are committed to delivering exceptional client service while continuously growing your career, we invite you to join The Ward Law Group and help us change lives—one client at a time.

Job Description

Support the Managing Partner in Attorney Performance and Accountability

• Partner with other senior leadership in meetings addressing attorney performance, productivity, case progress, and professional expectations.
• Evaluate explanations for missed goals, distinguish legitimate obstacles from avoidable delays, and ask informed follow-up questions.
• Help establish clear commitments, measurable corrective steps, and appropriate follow-up.
• Bring legal credibility, preparation, and fair judgment to difficult conversations while reinforcing a culture of ownership and accountability.
• Help ensure that performance expectations support quality representation and professional obligations.

Manage Employment Matters and Vendor Agreements

• Advise leadership and HR on employee relations, performance management, workplace complaints, investigations, discipline, and separations.
• Draft, review, and negotiate employment-related agreements and support clear, consistently applied policies.
• Review and negotiate vendor and service agreements, identifying material obligations, costs, renewal terms, termination rights, and exposure.
• Coordinate specialized outside counsel when needed and manage assignments toward a timely, practical resolution.

Assess Case-Related Risk and Exposure to the Firm

• In the rare instances where the firm may have legal exposure, independently investigate issues arising from the firm’s cases that may create legal, ethical, financial, operational, or reputational exposure.
• Review relevant facts, documents, legal authority, deadlines, and the responsible attorney’s proposed approach before escalating an issue to leadership.
• Deliver concise risk assessments explaining the concern, potential consequences, available options, and recommended course of action.
• Work with responsible attorneys to confirm that appropriate steps are being taken and follow corrective actions through completion.
• Support sound case handling while preserving the responsible attorney’s ownership of the matter. This position is advisory and does not ordinarily involve taking over cases or appearing in court.
• Escalate urgent or material concerns promptly, with the best available analysis and a clear plan for resolving remaining questions.

Help Lead an MSO Transition and Support Acquisitions

• Help spearhead the legal work associated with a potential management services organization (MSO) transition.
• Coordinate with leadership and outside advisers to assess the proposed structure, identify requirements and risks, prepare agreements, and manage implementation.
• Support potential acquisitions through due diligence, transaction review, negotiation, closing, and integration planning.
• Identify professional responsibility and other regulatory considerations that require specialized advice.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Experience evaluating litigation or case-related exposure, including the ability to research unfamiliar issues and assess the adequacy of a proposed response.
• Working knowledge of law firm operations and professional responsibility.
• Experience advising on employment matters and negotiating commercial agreements.
• Ability to work effectively with attorneys, operational leaders, financial executives, and outside advisers.
• Strong research, writing, negotiation, and project management skills.
• Experience with law firm risk management, plaintiff-side practice, MSO structures, or business mergers or acquisitions is particularly valuable.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• J.D. and active bar membership in good standing, with eligibility to serve in this role in the firm’s operating jurisdictions; 20+ years of litigation or other related experience preferred.
• Substantial legal experience demonstrating independent judgment and responsibility for complex matters; personal injury experience or substantial research and writing experience strongly preferred.
• Experience evaluating litigation or case-related exposure, including the ability to research unfamiliar issues and assess the adequacy of a proposed response.
• Working knowledge of law firm operations and professional responsibility.
• Experience advising on employment matters and negotiating commercial agreements.
• Ability to work effectively with attorneys, operations leaders, financial executives, and outside advisers.
• Strong research, writing, negotiation, and project management skills.
• Experience with law firm risk management, plaintiff-side practice, MSO structure, business mergers or acquisitions is particularly valuable.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to access and navigate each department at the organization’s facilities.

The Person We Are Looking For

Thorough, direct, commercially minded, and comfortable holding others accountable; asks questions, verifies facts, and tests assumptions before reaching conclusions.

Able to challenge a senior attorney respectfully, support the firm’s senior leadership in a difficult performance conversation, and explain a complex issue to the Managing Partner in plain language. Distinguishes exposure from manageable risk and pairs concerns with practical solutions.

Demonstrates discretion, sound judgment, emotional steadiness, and consistent follow-through. Knows when to act independently, when leadership needs to decide, and when specialized outside counsel is necessary.

Additional Information

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• Professional development and continuing education support
• Collaborative, growth-oriented team environment
• Hospital plans
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Company paid Basic Life and AD&D as well as voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Company paid short and long-term disability
• Health & Dependent Care Spending Accounts (HSA & DCFSA)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition Assistance
• Paid time off and paid holidays

Join Our Team

At The Ward Law Group, every role contributes to changing lives.

If you're looking for an opportunity to grow your litigation career, maximize client recoveries, and work alongside a high-performing legal team, we'd love to hear from you.

At The Ward Law Group, we recognize our people are our strength. We are an equal opportunity (M/F/Disability/Veterans) and consider all applications without regard to race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, genetic information or any other status protected by applicable law. We value our people, their varying perspectives and are committed to fostering an environment where they can bring their whole selves to work.

In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, employment is contingent upon verification of identity and authorization to work in the United States. All persons hired will be required to complete Form I-9 and provide acceptable documentation as required by law.