Chief Counsel Healthcare

An experienced attorney with a background in healthcare regulatory compliance, transactional matters, and general corporate law. This position works under the direction of the Vice President & Deputy General Counsel and supports a wide range of legal needs across the healthcare and clinical operation functions of the University, as well as its subsidiaries and affiliates. The attorney will advise on matters involving healthcare regulations, clinical services, risk management, mergers and practice acquisitions, business entities, contracts, and compliance, while also supporting broader University legal initiatives. An attorney with additional experience in general transactional matters, who can also work alongside the University's other attorneys on project assignments that reflect the wide-ranging needs of the University. The role requires sound legal judgment, discretion, the ability to work independently, and a strong commitment to the University's mission.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Healthcare Regulatory Matters

• Provides legal advice and services to healthcare and clinical units, including medical operations, counseling services, wellness programs, and affiliated practices.
• Reviews, drafts, and negotiates healthcare-related contracts, including provider agreements, clinical services agreements, business associate agreements, affiliation agreements, and equipment or service arrangements.
• Advises on compliance with healthcare laws and regulations, including HIPAA, HITECH, EMTALA, Stark Law, Anti-Kickback Statute, state licensing laws, privacy, and billing/coding requirements.
• Assists with regulatory filings, credentialing matters, and scope-of-practice considerations.
• Supports risk management activities, including incident review, mitigation strategies, and policy development.
• Conducts due diligence and analysis related to healthcare partnerships, acquisitions, service expansions, or new clinical initiatives.
• Interface with other University attorneys on their areas of specialty as they relate to healthcare operations (e.g., employment).
• Coordinates with external healthcare counsel on specialized matters.

Corporate, Transactional and Other Contractual Matters

• Reviews, drafts, negotiates, interprets, and enforces commercial contracts, merger and acquisition agreements, and other transactions.
• Advises on contract liability, risk allocation, indemnification, and compliance considerations.
• Interprets federal and state statutes, regulations, and rules applicable to healthcare operations.
• Drafts and reviews institutional policies.
• Supports entity formation, governance, and maintenance for healthcare-related business entities.

General Legal Matters

• Provides legal services and guidance to administrators and department leadership for the University and its healthcare-affiliated entities.
• Recommends strategies for resolving issues involving business, compliance, risk management, and operations.
• Mentors para-professionals and junior staff.
• Conducts legal research and prepares legal memoranda.
• Develops training materials and delivers presentations on legal compliance topics.
• Stays informed of changes in healthcare laws, regulations, and related higher-education trends.
• Identifies opportunities to enhance efficiency and compliance in processes.
• Works collaboratively with the legal team and supports the University's mission.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None.

QUALIFICATIONS AND CREDENTIALS

Education and Licensing

• Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Strong academic record at undergraduate and law school levels.
• Active license in good standing to practice law in Virginia or eligibility to become licensed (or able to obtain a Virginia Corporate Counsel Certificate).

Experience

• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant legal experience.
• Experience advising on healthcare regulatory compliance, including HIPAA, Stark, Anti-Kickback, EMTALA, licensing, and privacy laws.
• Experience reviewing, drafting, and negotiating healthcare, merger and acquisitions, and other commercial contracts.
• Experience conducting due diligence review of various acquisitions and business opportunities.
• Familiarity with clinical operations, provider credentialing, billing/coding regulations, and healthcare risk management.
• Experience working with clients in regulated industries, preferably at both federal and state levels.
• Experience with corporate governance, business entity formation, and maintenance of organizational documents.

Personal

• Demonstrated walk as a committed Christian.
• Successful completion of an acceptable background check.

• Self-motivation with a strong work ethic.
• Confidence and maturity with a sense of humor and humility.
• Willingness to learn and mentor.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Prior in-house experience within a healthcare organization, university health system, or related environment; or prior private practice experience working in the healthcare-support practice group of a law firm.
• Experience representing hospitals, clinics, university health centers, or other healthcare providers.
• Knowledge of not-for-profit law and governance.
• Undergraduate or graduate degree in health administration, public health, business, or a related field.
• Experience with compliance programs, healthcare audits, or regulatory investigations.
• Experience with risk management or quality-improvement systems.

ABILITIES AND COMPETENCIES ESSENTIAL TO THE ROLE

Communication and Comprehension

• Professional demeanor.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to deliver legal advice to non-lawyer clients concisely and in plain English without legalese.
• Excellent legal research and writing skills.
• Strong and effective drafting, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to build strong working relationships with clients.
• Demonstrated ability to work well collaboratively with other team attorneys.
• Demonstrated ability to accept corrections with grace and humor.
• Demonstrated leadership qualities and experience.
• Discretion and the ability to maintain confidences.
• Ability to prioritize and thrive in a fast-paced environment; well-organized.
• A passion for client service.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word; working knowledge of PowerPoint and Excel.

Problem Solving

• Strong critical-thinking and analytical abilities.
• Ability to assess information, evaluate risk, and propose practical solutions.
• Business-minded, solutions-oriented approach.

Physical and Sensory Abilities

• Occasional travel locally and within the University campus.
• Frequent sitting, typing, and desk work.
• Regular verbal communication and interaction with clients and fellow team members.
• Occasional standing, walking, and stair navigation.
• Ability to lift up to 10 pounds.
• Willingness and ability to follow instructions accurately.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work Environment

The working environment in which one will typically perform the essential functions of this position is a climate-controlled office setting. It is well-lit and the noise level is moderate. The work hours are during University office hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time.

On-campus office location (in Lynchburg) is preferred for at least (2) years initially. Exceptional candidates will be considered for hybrid or remote work locations.

Driving Requirements

If the employee is required to travel in performing the duties and responsibilities of the position, the use of one's personal vehicle (or LU vehicles) may be required for travel. Proof of a valid driver's license, an acceptable DMV record, LU Driving Approval, and liability insurance is required when driving in the performance of the employee's position.

Time Type
Full time

Location
Onsite

The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe it is our moral and legal obligation to meet the responsibility of ensuring that all management practices regarding employees are conducted in a nondiscriminatory manner. In compliance with Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and other applicable federal and state statutes, all recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting for all job classifications will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status or other applicable status protected by law, including state of employment protected classes. It is, therefore, our policy and intention to evaluate all employees and prospective employees strictly according to the requirements of the job. All personnel related activities such as compensation, benefits, transfers, job classification, assignments, working conditions, educational assistance, terminations, layoffs, and return from layoffs, and all other terms, conditions and privileges of employment will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status or other applicable status protected by law, including all applicable state of employment protected classes. The University is a Christian religious-affiliated organization; and as such, is not subject to religious discrimination requirements. The University's hiring practices and EEO discrimination practices are in full compliance with both federal and state law. Federal law creates an exception to the "religion" component of the employment discrimination laws for religious organizations (including educational institutions), and permits them to give employment practice preference to members of their own religious beliefs.