Associate Counsel

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 operates‑165 communities that are home to nearly‑12,000 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

The Associate Counsel will support the Legal Department with regulatory compliance, litigation management, and risk mitigation in the senior housing industry. This role will work closely with local operations leadership to provide practical legal guidance across multiple jurisdictions.

Responsibilities

• Advise local operations leaders on assisted living regulatory compliance, resident risk, and operational issues.
• Review and respond to state regulatory matters, including plans of correction, plans of removal, self‑reports, and informal dispute resolutions.
• Investigate internally reported incidents, claims, and potential litigation matters.
• Review third‑party resident record requests to ensure compliance with privacy laws.
• Review vendor and service contracts.
• Manage resident discharge, eviction, and collections matters in coordination with operations and outside counsel.
• Maintain up‑to‑date reporting on the status of ongoing and potential litigation.
• Assist in the selection and coordination of local litigation counsel.
• Attend mediations, arbitrations, and case status conferences.
• Review and revise compliance and risk management policies.

Education and Experience

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Active admission and good standing with at least one U.S. state bar.
• 2 – 5 years’ experience as a practicing attorney required.
• Experience with regulatory matters in assisted living is strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with Federal and State health care laws, licensing and other standards, Medicare and Medicaid programs.
• Experience with long‑term care litigation may be considered.
• Must possess strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent negotiation skills.
• Demonstrate ability to meet deadlines.
• Must have the ability to multitask.
• Must be able to operate effectively in a fast‑paced environment with attention to detail.
• Able to develop a positive rapport with employees and outside vendors.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office including: Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.

Skill/knowledge requirements

• Strong organizational skills that reflect ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly with excellent attention to detail.
• Demonstrated high‑level organizational skills, detail‑oriented with a proven ability to handle multiple priorities and to take initiative to resolve issues.
• Demonstrated exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including strong spelling, grammatical and mathematical skills. Strong focus on business writing practices and must be able to proofread and produce accurate, professional documents and information.
• High degree of professionalism and interpersonal skills.
• Participate and project a positive and professional image of the organization.
• Must be able to adapt to changing priorities and develop proactive planning for the upcoming week.
• Proven ability to handle confidential information with discretion, be adaptable to various competing demands, and demonstrate the highest level of client service and response.
• Demonstrated ability to achieve high performance goals and meet deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.