Senior Legal Counsel

Description

Job Summary

The Senior Legal Counsel serves as an experienced practicing attorney, contributing to the Legal Department's execution of core legal services across the health system. The position's responsibilities include providing advice and counsel on a wide range of legal matters, reviewing and negotiating agreements and other documents, and management of claims and litigation involving the health system. The Senior Legal Counsel will partner closely with operational teams to enable strategic growth and day-to-day operations while ensuring compliance with applicable legal requirements by providing collaborative, practical, and solution-oriented guidance.

Job Specific Duties

• Advocacy and management of all claims and litigation involving the Health System (whether as a party or third-party), including professional liability, general liability, employment disputes, workers compensation and general commercial litigation. This includes, but is not limited to, management of outside counsel and third-party administrator (TPA), direction of strategy, service as company representative at mediations, hearings, trials and other legal proceedings or regulatory as needed, representation Health System employees for in third-party legal proceedings (e.g., criminal, DCF, family law, or personal injury).
• Provides legal advice, counsel, representation and oversight on the wide range of legal matters affecting the health system and its affiliates, aligning legal strategy and providing practical, business-focused solutions to clinical and business leaders to support high-quality patient care, operational realities, and the organization's objectives and strategic initiatives.
• Provide legal advice and counsel on medical staff credentialing, peer review and related matters. Provide legal guidance and support for quality improvement, patient safety, risk management, patient grievance, accreditation and related activities and matters.
• Prepare, review and negotiate (as applicable) routine and complex contracts for the health system and its affiliates. Provide day-to-day legal advice and support to business teams relating to contracts and applicable legal requirements.
• Draft and update organizational and departmental policies, procedures and standard work as required; support development, drafting, and maintenance of organizational policies and standard practices.
• Provide proactive legal advice to address and/or mitigate litigation, regulatory and other legal risk to the organization; provide training and education for leaders, physicians and staff (as applicable).
• Participate in monitoring legislative and regulatory developments and industry trends and communicate information to the Legal Department.
• Assist with corporate governance matters (e.g., draft and review resolutions, minutes and board presentations, assist with bylaws review and interpretation); attend board or committee meetings upon request of the SVP & General Counsel.
• Serve as a leader within the Legal Department, including providing direction, training and mentorship to attorney and staff direct reports; monitors the department's budget for assigned areas; and practice fiscal responsibility through improvement and innovation (e.g., Game Changers).
• Support the SVP and General Counsel and other members of the Legal Department on various matters as needed; perform other job-related duties and projects as required

Qualifications

Minimum Job Requirements

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school
• Active Florida Bar License
• 10+ years of experience practicing in a law firm, in-house legal department, or government agency with direct experience in civil litigation in state or federal court.
• Experience in healthcare law and healthcare related litigation required. Experience in healthcare operations (e.g., hospital, physician practice, quality, patient safety and risk management).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Proactive, driven, adaptable person who can, with poise and patience, prioritize and balance multiple projects and be responsive to multiple requests with strong sense of urgency, handle ambiguity, be resourceful and recalibrate advice in view of shifting priorities, legal developments, and risk tolerance.
• Effective oral and written communication and influencing skills.
• Excellent analytical, critical thinking and strategic skills; ability to identify and resolve complex and sensitive issues and to translate them in understandable terms; exercise exceptional judgment with a practical, solution-oriented approach.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively alongside the Legal Department members and other teams across the health system, and with external stakeholders (as applicable), and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with executive and other leaders.
• Ability to direct, train, and mentor other attorneys and legal team staff.
• Highly dependable, professional and demonstrates integrity, good judgment and respect for confidentiality and privilege .