General Counsel

Behavioral-Health-Response; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 165,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

Behavioral Health Response (BHR) is seeking an experienced General Counsel to serve as its in-house legal expert. The role advises leadership on all legal matters across the organization, supporting both nonprofit and for-profit initiatives in a dynamic behavioral health environment.

You will oversee regulatory compliance, drafting and negotiating contracts, and managing external counsel across multiple states and international jurisdictions.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school with US license.
• Active license to practice law in the United States.
• At least 7 years of broad legal experience in nonprofit and for-profit sectors.
• Experience in multi-state and international business law and HR/employment law.
• Strong drafting, review, and contract negotiation skills.
• Ability to manage external counsel and complex projects.
• Experience with behavioral health organizations preferred.
• Excellent communication, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work independently and in a team within a mission-driven, fast-paced environment.
• High ethical standards and sound judgment.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic counsel to CEO and leadership.
• Oversee legal matters for nonprofit and for-profit activities.
• Oversee legal operations across states and international jurisdictions.
• Guide employment law and HR matters, including policies and investigations.
• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts with vendors, partners, and clients.
• Support risk management, privacy, and data security.
• Manage external counsel for specialized matters.
• Stay current on regulatory trends affecting behavioral health.
• Educate leadership and staff on legal and compliance requirements.
• Lead or participate in special projects.

Skills

Contract drafting

Negotiation skills

Regulatory compliance

Cross-border legal

Leadership communication

Analytical thinking

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school

Active license to practice law in the United States

Job description

Salary Range: $165,000.00 To $185,000.00 Annually

Position Overview:

Behavioral Health Response (BHR) is seeking an experienced and strategic General Counsel to serve as its in-house legal expert. The General Counsel will advise BHR's leadership on all legal matters across the organization, supporting both non-profit and for-profit initiatives. This role offers the opportunity to advance BHR's mission while managing complex legal issues in a dynamic behavioral health environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as the principal legal advisor to the CEO and executive leadership, providing strategic counsel on a wide range of legal issues impacting BHR.
• Advise on legal and regulatory matters for both non-profit and for-profit activities, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and international laws.
• Oversee all legal aspects of BHR's operations across multiple U.S. states and international jurisdictions, including entity formation, licensing, and compliance.
• Provide guidance on employment law and human resources matters, including policies, procedures, investigations, and dispute resolution.
• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, agreements, and memoranda of understanding with vendors, partners, and clients.
• Support initiatives related to risk management, privacy, and data security.
• Manage relationships with external counsel for specialized legal matters and litigation.
• Remain current on legal, regulatory, and industry trends affecting behavioral health organizations.
• Educate leadership and staff on legal issues and compliance requirements.
• Lead or participate in special projects as assigned by the CEO.

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school; active license to practice law in the United States required.
• At least 7 years of broad legal experience in both non-profit and for-profit sectors.
• Demonstrated expertise in multi-state and international business law, as well as employment and human resources law.
• Experience with behavioral health organizations is highly preferred.
• Strong contract negotiation, drafting, and review skills.
• Proven ability to manage external counsel and complex legal projects.
• Excellent communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a mission-driven, fast-paced environment.
• High ethical standards and sound judgment.

Reporting Structure:

• Reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

At BHR, we believe that every team member has an integral role in the lifesaving treatment we provide. We are a trauma informed agency, and we hire people who are passionate about our mission and are committed to improving the lives of those we serve through our trauma informed models of practice.

Behavioral Health Response is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, creed, age, disability, sex or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, national origin, or any other legally protected status.