Sr. Corporate Counsel, Securities and Corporate Governance

Sonida Senior Living; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Sonida Senior Living seeks an experienced attorney to support SEC filings, governance, and compliance for a public company with senior living communities. You will collaborate with Finance, HR, Investor Relations, and Operations to ensure accurate reporting and robust governance practices.

The role emphasizes day-to-day legal support across corporate matters, including executive compensation disclosures and regulatory compliance, in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of legal experience, including 3+ years in corporate/securities law.
• Experience advising public companies on SEC filings and governance.
• Strong written and verbal communication; collaborative across departments.

Responsibilities

• Assist in preparing and reviewing SEC filings (10-K, 10-Q, 8-K) and proxy statements.
• Support Disclosure Committee materials and insider trading compliance programs.
• Ensure NYSE listing standards compliance and applicable securities laws.
• Draft and review executive compensation disclosures and governance materials.
• Coordinate with HR, Finance, and external advisors on compensation initiatives.
• Draft vendor contracts and support day-to-day legal affairs for communities and corporate office.
• Manage regulatory inquiries and disputes with internal teams and outside counsel.

Skills

Securities law experience

Corporate law

Writing ability

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

J.D. from ABA-accredited law school

Bar admission (US state)

Job description

About Sonida Senior Living

Sonida Senior Living is one of the nation’s leading operators of independent living, assisted living and memory care communities for senior adults. The Company operates165 communities that are home to nearly12,000 residents across 35 states providing comfortable, safe, affordable communities where residents can form friendships, enjoy new experiences and receive personalized care from dedicated team members who treat them family.

About Sonida Senior Living

Sonida Senior Living is one of the nation’s leading operators of independent living, assisted living and memory care communities for senior adults. The Company operates165 communities that are home to nearly12,000 residents across 35 states providing comfortable, safe, affordable communities where residents can form friendships, enjoy new experiences and receive personalized care from dedicated team members who treat them family.

Job Description

Sonida Senior Living is a public company, and that comes with real obligations: SEC reporting, corporate governance, disclosure controls, and staying compliant with NYSE listing standards. This role exists to help the Chief Legal Officer meet those obligations with accuracy and confidence, from board and shareholder matters to day-to-day disclosure work. Beyond public company work, this attorney also supports the legal needs of our senior living communities and partners across Finance, Investor Relations, and HR, so the Legal team can be a reliable partner to both corporate leadership and the field. We're looking for someone with strong securities and corporate law experience who is also comfortable rolling up their sleeves on day-to-day operational legal questions.

Responsibilities

Public Company & Securities Compliance

• Assist in preparing and reviewing SEC filings, including Forms 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K, proxy statements, and Section 16 filings, working closely with the Chief Legal Officer and Finance
• Support the Disclosure Committee process, including preparing meeting materials, tracking follow-up items, and helping administer the company's insider trading compliance program
• Help the company stay compliant with NYSE listing standards and applicable securities laws and regulations
• Research and track corporate and regulatory developments relevant to a public company, flagging changes that could affect Sonida

Executive Compensation & Equity Programs

• Provide legal support for executive compensation and equity compensation programs, including Compensation Committee governance, equity plan administration, and related disclosures.
• Assist with the preparation and review of executive compensation disclosures in the annual proxy statement.
• Advise on legal, governance, securities law, and disclosure considerations relating to executive and director compensation matters.
• Coordinate with Human Resources, Finance, and external advisors on compensation-related initiatives and compliance requirements.

Corporate Governance & Shareholder Engagement

• Support corporate governance activities, including preparing board and committee materials, maintaining governance policies, and helping the company follow governance best practices
• Coordinate the legal and governance side of the annual shareholder meeting, including proxy statement preparation, meeting logistics, and shareholder communications
• Help manage shareholder proposals and related engagement efforts, coordinating with internal stakeholders and external advisors as needed

Cross-Functional & Operational Legal Support

• Partner with Investor Relations, Corporate Communications, HR, and other corporate functions on securities law, disclosure, and governance matters as they come up
• Advise on community-level legal matters, including resident agreements, state licensing questions, and regulatory issues that affect day-to-day operations
• Draft and review vendor contracts, service agreements, and other commercial arrangements that support our communities and corporate office
• Partner with internal teams and outside counsel to manage legal disputes and regulatory inquiries as they come up

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school; licensed and in good standing with a U.S. state bar
• At least 5 years of legal experience, including 3+ years focused on corporate or securities law
• Experience advising or working with public companies on SEC filings and corporate governance
• Strong understanding of federal securities laws, NYSE requirements, and corporate compliance
• Excellent writing, analytical, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work effectively across departments in a collaborative and fast-paced environment
• Prior experience in senior living, healthcare, or other regulated industries is a plus