Job Description
Title: General Counsel - Healthcare
Reports to: President & CEO
Effective Date: 02.2025 Review Date: 03.2026
Position Summary:
The General Counsel serves as the chief legal officer for the organization, providing strategic legal guidance and oversight across a network of long-term care facilities and hospital operations. This executive role is responsible for managing all legal, regulatory, and compliance affairs to protect the organization's interests, support operational goals, and ensure adherence to complex healthcare laws and standards.
The ideal candidate is a seasoned healthcare attorney with deep expertise in both post-acute and acute care settings - someone who brings practical business insight, exceptional judgment, and a proactive approach to managing legal and regulatory risk.
Core Responsibilities:
Legal Strategy & Governance- Serve as the primary legal advisor to the CEO, Board of Directors, and senior leadership team.
- Develop and implement a comprehensive legal strategy aligned with organizational and clinical priorities.
- Advise on governance matters, corporate structure, and fiduciary responsibilities.
- Draft, review, and negotiate complex agreements, including hospital affiliation contracts, vendor and supplier agreements, physician employment and medical director contracts, and managed care arrangements.
- Provide legal support for mergers, acquisitions, facility expansions, and joint ventures.
Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management
- Ensure organizational compliance with all applicable healthcare laws and regulations, including: HIPAA, Stark Law, Anti-Kickback Statute, EMTALA, False Claims Act, and CMS/Medicare/Medicaid regulations.
- Oversee the compliance program, including policy development, audits, investigations, and corrective action plans.
- Collaborate with compliance officers and facility administrators to manage licensing, accreditation, and survey readiness.
- Advise on quality and patient safety matters that carry legal implications.
- Monitor evolving healthcare legislation and regulations, advising leadership on potential operational and financial impact.
Employment & Operational Support- Provide legal counsel on employment law issues including hiring, discipline, wage and hour, and termination.
- Support HR and operations in addressing workplace investigations, union matters, and dispute resolution.
- Oversee litigation management, working with and supervising outside counsel as needed.
Policy Development & Education
- Develop and maintain organizational policies related to legal and regulatory compliance.
- Provide education and training to executives, managers, and clinical leaders on key healthcare legal topics.
- Foster a culture of compliance, ethics, and transparency throughout the organization.
Qualifications
Education & Licensure
- Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school required.
- Active license to practice law and in good standing with the Michigan State Bar
Experience
- Minimum 10 years of progressive legal experience, including at least 5 years in a senior legal role within healthcare.
- Experience in both long-term care (skilled nursing, rehabilitation, assisted living) and hospital or acute care systems strongly preferred.
- Proven expertise in healthcare regulatory compliance, contracts, corporate governance, and employment law.
- Proven experience within CMS Regulations, Michigan Nursing Home Operation Laws
- Experience with union contracts, EEOC, Labor Laws
Skills & Attributes
- Exceptional analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.
- Strong leadership presence with the ability to advise and influence executive decision-making.
- Strategic and pragmatic thinker with a hands-on approach to problem-solving.
- High ethical standards, sound judgment, and discretion in handling sensitive matters
