General Counsel

U.S.VETS; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S.VETS is seeking an experienced General Counsel to advise the President & CEO, senior leadership, HR, and the Board of Directors on employment law, contracts, and risk management. This hands-on role requires translating complex legal concepts into actionable guidance and coordinating with outside counsel as needed.

The ideal candidate will have a JD, California Bar, and 7+ years of employment law experience, with a track record of prudent risk management and strong executive presence.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• California Bar membership in good standing.
• 7+ years of practicing legal experience with employment law focus.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the organization’s primary legal advisor on employment and workplace matters.
• Advise the President & CEO and Senior Leadership Team on legal risks, contracts and compliance.
• Manage multiple legal matters, investigations, and disputes; coordinate with outside counsel.
• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, leases, and other documents.
• Monitor changes in laws affecting the organization and provide guidance to leadership.
• Attend Board and committee meetings to present legal matters with professionalism.

Skills

Employment law

Legal advisory

Negotiation

Risk management

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

California Bar

Tools

Microsoft Office

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.

Qualifications

We 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 For

You 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 Angeles

Schedule

Hybrid - 3 days in office / 2 days remote

This 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.