General Counsel

Harvey Hohauser & Associates - Retained Executive Search; Michigan; On-site; USD 170,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Harvey Hohauser & Associates - Retained Executive Search is partnering with a growing healthcare distribution and manufacturing company to recruit a General Counsel. This executive role reports to the Owner/CEO and guides government contracts, regulatory compliance, and overall risk management as the business expands its federal, state, and local government work.

The General Counsel will lead contracting negotiations, oversee corporate governance, and collaborate with sales, operations, and

Qualifications

• J.D. from ABA-accredited law school and active Michigan bar license.
• 10+ years of legal experience, including significant work with VA, DoD, and federal contracts.
• Strong knowledge of FAR, DFARS, and federal contracting regulations.
• Proven contract drafting and negotiation skills.
• Experience as sole or lead in-house counsel, or autonomy in a small team.
• Excellent judgment and business acumen; ability to explain complex legal issues to non-legal audiences.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the chief legal officer and advisor to the CEO and executive team.
• Provide subject-matter expertise on VA, DoD, and other federal contracts, including FAR/DFARS.
• Manage VA FSS, MSPV, DAPA contracts, SBA certifications, and SAM.gov registration.
• Draft and negotiate vendor, customer, supplier, distribution, and real estate contracts.
• Partner with sales, operations, and finance on terms and risk in deals.
• Oversee governance, compliance, and risk management policies and training.
• Support M&A, JVs, litigation, HR matters, and manage outside counsel.
• Lead and mentor the legal staff.

Skills

Contract drafting

Negotiation

Legal leadership

Regulatory compliance

Education

J.D. from ABA-accredited law school

Michigan bar license (active)

Florida licensure a plus

Job description

Serve as chief legal advisor to a growing, mission-driven healthcare distribution and manufacturing company

Harvey Hohauser & Associates is conducting a confidential search for a General Counsel on behalf of a growing healthcare distribution and manufacturing company that supplies medical equipment and supplies to government healthcare facilities. This newly created role reports directly to the Owner and CEO and will play a key part in guiding the company as it expands its federal, state, and local government business.

What You'll Do

• Serve as the company's chief legal officer and trusted advisor to the CEO and executive team
• Provide subject-matter expertise on VA, DoD, and other federal agency contracts, including FAR and DFARS compliance
• Manage VA Federal Supply Schedule (FSS), MSPV, and DAPA contracts, plus SBA small-business certification and SAM.gov registration
• Draft and negotiate commercial agreements, including vendor, customer, supplier, distribution, and real estate contracts
• Partner with sales, operations, and finance on contract terms, risk allocation, and deal structures
• Oversee corporate governance, compliance, and risk management policies and training
• Support M&A, joint ventures, litigation, and HR matters, and manage outside counsel
• Lead and mentor legal staff

What You Bring

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school and active Michigan bar license (Florida licensure a plus)
• 10+ years of legal experience, including significant work with VA, DoD, and/or federal agency vendor contracts
• Strong knowledge of FAR, DFARS, and federal contracting regulations
• Proven commercial contract drafting and negotiation skills
• Experience as sole or lead in-house counsel, or significant autonomy within a small legal team
• Excellent judgment, business acumen, and the ability to explain complex legal issues to non-legal audiences

Preferred

• Experience with GSA/VA Federal Supply Schedules and SBA certifications
• Background in business litigation, M&A, or private equity
• Experience in manufacturing, distribution, or supply-chain-driven businesses
• MBA or LL.M. in Taxation

Why Join

This is a rare opportunity to work directly with ownership and play a central role in a company's continued growth in the government healthcare space.