In-House Employment Counsel — Growth & Compliance

RYZE; Oregon; Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Comprehensive benefits package

Paid time off

Professional growth opportunities

Job summary

RYZE is seeking an Associate Counsel to lead employment-law matters across the organization. You will work closely with our in‑house Legal Counsel and People Operations to ensure compliant practices and facilitate transactions and policy development.

The role requires 5–8 years in employment law, strong contract drafting skills, and the ability to translate legal risk into clear business language. This is a startup‑minded, fast‑moving team with broad exposure.

Qualifications

• JD from an accredited law school and active bar admission in at least one state.
• 5–8 years of legal experience with a primary focus on employment law — law firm or in‑house (a combination of both is preferred).
• Transactional or commercial contracting experience is a plus.
• Working knowledge of FMLA, state leave laws, ADA accommodations, wage and hour requirements, and general employment compliance.
• Experience drafting employment policies, separation agreements, independent contractor/consultant agreements, etc.
• Comfortable advising on terminations and navigating employee relations issues with sound judgment.
• Able to draft and negotiate employment‑related agreements independently without heavy supervision.
• Can read a room and translate legal risk into plain business language.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for employment law matters with People Operations and management.
• Handle day‑to‑day employment issues including hiring practices, offers, performance management, discipline, and terminations.
• Draft, review, and negotiate independent contractor and consultant agreements; advise on general worker issues.
• Develop, review, and maintain employment policies; keep policies current with changing laws.
• Advise on leave of absence matters including FMLA and ADA accommodations.
• Support workplace investigations, employee relations matters, and general policy questions.
• Advise on multi‑state compliance including wage/hour and worker classification.

Skills

Employment law

Contract drafting

Policy development

Risk assessment

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Bar admission (one state)

Job description

RYZE is seeking an Associate Counsel to lead employment-law matters across the organization. You will work closely with our in‑house Legal Counsel and People Operations to ensure compliant practices and facilitate transactions and policy development.

The role requires 5–8 years in employment law, strong contract drafting skills, and the ability to translate legal risk into clear business language. This is a startup‑minded, fast‑moving team with broad exposure.