General Counsel

The primary purpose of this position is to provide expert, sound and strategic legal advice to the Board of Directors, CEO, and members of senior management thereby helping ECP minimize legal risks by advising internal clients of legal and regulatory issues the company and industry confronts. The position oversees all internal legal functions and people and provides direction and oversight to external counsel. In addition, the General Counsel establishes and/or reviews the necessary processes, programs, policies, and procedures for employees at all levels that have legal and/or compliance considerations on the company’s operations. The ultimate responsibility for contracts, copyrights, trademarks, business records, etc. lies with this function. Some delegation of this may occur (e.g. merchandise buys, procurement, etc.) but guidance as to contractual parameters remains with this function. This General Counsel also manages company litigation, interaction with insurance providers relating to liability issues, and handles company Whistleblower type issues that relate to financial fraud and senior management.

Legal compliance regarding mergers and acquisitions, health care laws and regulations, consumer protection and federal, state, and local government laws and regulations is also a responsibility of this function in addition to serving as the Chief Compliance Officer.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

Advising management and the Board on various matters such as legal rights as well as new and existing laws, ensuring the promotion and protection of EyeCare Partners in its operations, external facing, daily operations, and future business considerations.

Examining and creating draft agreements

Maintaining knowledge of organization’s operations and legal documents

Conducting legal research and reviewing company’s litigation strategy pertaining to legal actions

Promulgating and creating directives of corporate acts and decisions

Preserving all corporate records

Handling statutory filings, such as licensing forms

Liaising with outside counsel regarding their assignments

Creating new entities and managing the organization’s intellectual property

Assist with all legal documentation regarding mergers and acquisitions, real estate transactions, etc.

Develop, adapt, and lead the corporate compliance programs

Maintain proper corporate interactions with relevant local, state, and federal governmental bodies, legislatures, optometry and ophthalmology institutions, lobby efforts, administrative proceedings, agency negotiations, etc.

Partnering with the Human Resources function ensure annual Conflict of Interest Statement attestation, Code of Conduct attestation, etc.

Also partnering with Human Resources, ensure employment law, health and safety code regulations, violations (if any) and litigation (including government charges such as EEOC, other 3rd party entities) are appropriately investigated and managed. Manage dispute resolution and report all employee/physician employment issues on a regular basis to the Board of Directors.

Develop and manage annual budgets and performing periodic cost and productivity analyses.

Select and retain all outside counsel, as needed, to obtain legal opinions or handle claims and litigation. Supervise the legal work of other attorneys, paralegals, outside counsel, consultants, etc

Key Attributes

Juris Doctorate degree and a member of the Missouri American Bar Association

Minimum of 7+ years practice with an established law firm or role as a general counsel or senior position in a corporate general counsel office

Proficient legal experience in financing and M&A to support the M&A Function

Experience within a complex corporate institution preferred

Preferred background in health care…including health care regulatory and compliance

Proven ability to manage diverse relationships, exceptional communicator, and ability to work collaboratively in a matrixed relationship with line and staff areas.

Preferred experience with private equity stakeholders

Knowledge of regulatory impact on multi-state/multi-unit health care operations

Strong communicator – verbal and written communication skills

Team player