General Counsel

What does BPM stand for? Innovation, opportunity, community, diversity, inclusivity, flexibility and so much more.

B-P-M stands for “Because People Matter,” because at our core, our people drive everything we do and how we do it.

We are a forward-thinking, full-service accounting firm providing modern solutions to businesses across the globe. We focus on comprehensive assurance, tax, and consulting services for our clients, and we provide our people and our community with the resources to lead meaningful and purposeful lives.

While we are one of the largest California-based accounting firms, our flexible work locations and schedules mean we have professionals across the continent. Our teams and our clients drive us to provide quality services and ignite unique insights and ideas that contribute to our continued success. Our clients come from different backgrounds and industries, which keep our people intellectually challenged every day.

Our initiatives and ideals lead to our continued recognition as one of the “Best Places to Work” in the Bay Area and beyond. We are dedicated to providing meaningful careers for all of our employees along with fostering an environment that allows an integrated lifestyle. Our flexible culture allows our professionals to live a balanced lifestyle between their work responsibilities and personal commitments.

General Counsel Overview

The BPM General Counsel is responsible for the overall strategic and tactical legal initiatives of the firm. In addition, they will assess the principal risks of the firm and ensure that these risks are monitored and managed accordingly. A successful candidate will provide effective advice on strategies and implementation, and manages the legal function while overseeing the utilization of outside counsel (as needed). This newly created role will have oversight of contract review and negotiation, litigation, and provide general support in the areas of tax, internal audit, and general compliance within the firm. The General Counsel will report to the Chief Executive Officer.

We Have:

A unique people-centered culture that attracts the brightest and most forward-thinking accounting professionals.

The resources, expertise, and global capability of a Big Four accounting firm together with the responsiveness and accessibility of a local firm.

A strong regional presence in the Bay Area, while still serving our clients nationally and internationally.

Recognition as one of the Bay Area’s “Best Place to Work” and “No. 1 Best Large Accounting Firm to Work for” by Accounting Today.

You Have (Requirements)

Juris Doctorate Degree with an active license to practice in California required (Additional states preferred).

Prior experience as an attorney with an in-house law firm required.

Fifteen years (15) of professional legal experience with at least 5 years in general business law.

Ideal candidate will demonstrate experience in litigation and corporate law.

Strong business acumen and professional services firm experience preferred.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with both internal and external audiences.

Proven experience with project management support, including the ability to build relationships with stakeholders.

Advanced contract drafting and negotiations skills with the ability to develop creative solutions, especially in the area of evolving legal standards.

Demonstrated experience with Business Combinations (Mergers & Acquisitions)

Ability to propose solutions and think strategically with a high degree of professional ethics and integrity.

Skilled at influencing others and gaining stakeholder trust and confidence.

Proficient in MS Office Suite.

Ability to travel to/from BPM offices as needed and work remotely outside of non-traditional business hours.

You Will (Responsibilities

Serve as the key advisor to the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Practice Group Leaders (PGL) and CST Senior Leadership Team.

Manages relationships, coordinates litigation and all other legal matters facilitated by external legal counsel.

Ensures that firm leadership are informed of substantive legal topics as appropriate.

Serves as a legal advisor on all major business transactions, inclusive of business combinations (mergers and acquisitions), divestitures and joint ventures, contracts, leases, compliance, Partnership agreements, Master Service Agreements, and immigration counsel.

Drafts, reviews, and edits contracts inclusive of client engagement letters, supply agreements, confidentiality agreements, software license agreements, marketing agreements and IP licensing agreements.

Provides guidance to all levels of the organization on a variety of legal matters, including responses to subpoenas, depositions, settlement and release documents, litigation management and client bankruptcy matters.

Assists in managing the firm’s professional liability and general liability insurance claims and relationship with insurers and brokers.

Provides leadership to the CEO and Board of Directors regarding corporate governance and partnership agreement interpretation matters.

Participate in formulating strategy and major business transactions across BPM’s corporate and business units.

Manage and advise on all potential business risks.

Assist in the compliance of licensing laws for the firm, specific individuals and right of the firm to practice in such jurisdictions.

Manages firm’s internal & external legal budget.

Advise firm leadership regarding the management of firm risk including potential exposure, governance, enterprise risk management (IT, Finance, Human Resources, Privacy, Cybersecurity and general business counsel) and professional liability.