General Counsel

U.S.VETS; Lancaster (CA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid schedule

Mission-driven work

Job summary

USVETS National in Downtown Los Angeles is seeking an experienced General Counsel to serve as a trusted legal advisor to the President & CEO, Senior Leadership Team, HR, and the Board. This role focuses on employment law, risk management, and nonprofit governance, with a hands-on approach to complex matters.

The ideal candidate has a JD, California Bar, 7+ years of employment-law experience, and the ability to translate legal considerations into practical guidance for leaders.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of practicing legal experience with substantial employment law.
• In-house or corporate experience preferred.
• Ability to advise executives and board.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the organization's primary legal advisor on employment and workplace matters, partnering with HR on employee relations, investigations, accommodations, leaves, wage/hour, policies, discipline and separations.
• Advise the President & CEO and Senior Leadership Team on legal risks, contracts, compliance and other significant matters.
• Manage multiple legal matters including litigation and investigations; coordinate with outside counsel as needed.
• Select, retain, and oversee outside counsel and manage legal resources effectively.
• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, leases and other legal documents.
• Monitor changes in laws/regulations and provide practical guidance to leadership.
• Advise on nonprofit governance and participate in Board/committee meetings.

Skills

Employment law

Negotiation

Communication

Risk management

Leadership

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

California Bar admission

Job description

Help Protect the Mission. Advise the Leaders. Mitigate the Risk.U.S.VETS is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing and ending veteran homelessness. We serve veterans and their families through housing, behavioral health, career development, outreach, and comprehensive supportive services.We are seeking an experienced General Counsel to serve as a trusted legal advisor to the President & CEO, Senior Leadership Team, Human Resources, and Board of Directors. This is a highly visible, hands-on role for an attorney who brings strong employment law expertise, sound business judgment, excellent communication skills, and a practical approach to managing and mitigating organizational risk. The successful candidate will be comfortable managing multiple matters simultaneously, navigating complex and sensitive issues, negotiating effectively, and translating legal considerations into clear, actionable guidance for leaders throughout the organization.Key Responsibilities· Serve as the organization's primary legal advisor on employment and workplace matters, partnering closely with the VP of HR and HR team on employee relations, investigations, accommodations, leaves, wage and hour issues, policies, discipline, and separations.· Advise the President & CEO and Senior Leadership Team on legal risks, organizational strategy, contracts, business transactions, compliance, and other significant matters.· Manage multiple legal matters and potential claims, including litigation, investigations, and disputes; develop strategies and work with outside counsel as appropriate.· Select, retain, and oversee outside counsel and manage legal resources effectively.· Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, agreements, leases, and other legal documents.· Monitor changes in laws and regulations affecting the organization and provide practical guidance to leadership.· Advise on nonprofit governance and attend Board and committee meetings as needed, including presenting legal matters to the Board with confidence and professionalism.What We're Looking ForWe are looking for an attorney who combines legal expertise with practical judgment, strong interpersonal skills, and a genuine commitment to mission-driven work.The ideal candidate will bring:· Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.· California Bar membership in good standing.· 7+ years of practicing legal experience, with substantial experience in employment law and preferably meaningful in-house or corporate experience.· Demonstrated ability to manage multiple legal matters, competing priorities, and deadlines with minimal supervision.· Strong knowledge of California employment law and experience advising employers on complex workplace matters.· Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to explain complex legal issues clearly to non-lawyers.· Strong negotiation, problem-solving, and risk-management skills.· The confidence and executive presence to advise and present to senior leadership and the Board of Directors.· Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with HR, Finance, Operations, Programs, and other functions.· Sound judgment, discretion, and the ability to handle highly sensitive and confidential information.· Strong organizational skills and a high level of personal accountability.· Proficiency with Microsoft Office and common business technology.The Person We're Looking ForYou take ownership. You are self-motivated, organized, and comfortable juggling multiple priorities without losing sight of the details. You're willing to roll up your sleeves and do the work, but you also value partnership and know that the best solutions often come from working collaboratively across disciplines.Most importantly, you want your legal expertise to support an organization doing meaningful work for veterans and their families.Location: Downtown Los AngelesSchedule: Hybrid — 3 days in office / 2 days remoteThis is an opportunity for an experienced attorney who wants to be a trusted business partner and an integral member of a mission-driven leadership team. If you're interested in bringing your legal expertise, judgment, and leadership to a mission-driven organization, we'd like to hear from you.