Position Details

Chief Legal Officer

Chief Legal Officer

Job Code: CLC - 144
Revision Date: May 11, 2026

Starting Salary: $93.02 hourly; $193,485 annually

FLSA: Exempt

Overview

We are an agency committed to innovative behavioral health services in trauma-informed care that promote healing and recovery to instill a sense of empowerment and foster a lifelong sense of resilience.

General Description

This executive leadership position serves as the Center's chief legal advisor and provides comprehensive legal services, including governance counsel, representation, and legal research to the Board of Trustees, the Chief Executive Officer, executive leadership, management, and employees on applicable U.S. and Texas laws and regulations, Board policies, administrative rules, contractual matters, and other Center operations.

Provides proactive and strategic legal counsel on organizational risk, compliance, and workforce matters, including human resources policies and practices (staffing, compensation and benefits, employee relations, investigations, training, health and safety, and related regulatory compliance). Ensures that legal compliance and risk management strategies align with the Center's mission, common purpose, values, and strategic objectives.

The incumbent will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer and serve as a key member of the executive leadership team, contributing to organizational decision-making.

Duties and Responsibilities

The functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this position. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the position, as necessary.

  • Governance & Board Support
    • Provides expert, strategic, and timely legal advice, counsel, and guidance to the Chief Executive Officer and Board of Trustees on legal matters and the legal implications of strategic and operational business decisions.
    • Provides executive-level legal governance advice and representation to the Board of Trustees, executive leadership, management, and employees regarding Board policies, administrative rules, and overall organizational operations.
    • Monitors legislative, regulatory, and case law developments affecting the Center and recommends proactive policy or operational changes to maintain compliance and reduce legal and regulatory exposure.
    • Maintains strict adherence to all professional, ethical, and legal standards established under EHN's Business Code of Conduct and Corporate Compliance Plan.
    • Acts as the designee for the EHN Board of Trustees as needed.
  • Regulatory/Compliance & Employment
    • Provides legal advice and counsel to human resources, compliance, and leadership teams regarding programs and policies, including staffing, compensation, benefits, employee relations, workplace investigations, training, health and safety, risk management, and regulatory compliance.
    • Conducts and oversees legal research and provides timely, actionable guidance on employment law developments and their impact on organizational policies and practices.
    • Responds promptly and effectively to the needs and requirements of internal and external clients, as appropriate ensuring alignment with organizational priories and legal risk tolerance.
  • Contracts/Commercial + Real Estate/Construction
    • Drafts, reviews, and negotiates a wide range of contracts and legal agreements, including community service agreements, service and procurement agreements, partnership agreements, grants, licensing arrangements, employment-related agreements, confidentiality agreements, and vendor relationships.
    • Oversees the creation, execution, and lifecycle management, including monitoring, analysis, and compliance enforcement of the contract management system.
    • Oversees legal matters related to construction, facilities development, and capital improvement projects, including drafting, reviewing, and negotiating construction contracts, architect and engineering agreements, contractor/vendor agreements, change orders, claims and project disputes, mechanic's liens, warranties, and compliance with applicable building codes, permitting, and safety regulations.
    • Advises on real estate and property transactions, including acquisition, sale, leasing, easements, land use, zoning, title review, due diligence, property management agreements, and facility use arrangements, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and to protect the Center's legal and financial interests.
  • Litigation/Claims & Risk
    • Leads and directs legal strategy for risk management, claims prevention, and dispute resolution, including pre-litigation matters, mediation, arbitration, litigation oversight, insurance coverage issues, and coordination with outside counsel, as necessary.
    • Manages complex, high-risk, and high-impact matters involving multiple legal disciplines and cross-functional business areas.
    • Assists in the selection, engagement, and management of outside counsel in employment-related disputes and other legal matters, including contract disputes, administrative charges, unemployment claims, wage and hour claims, and related proceedings, as needed, ensuring cost effective and high-quality legal representation.
  • Leadership
    • Manages all aspects of the Legal Department, including personnel, performance management, and the operating budget.
    • Maintains an active role as a strategic advisor to the CEO regarding division activities to support strategic planning and growth opportunities.
    • Develops and implements division plans and strategies to support achievement of overall Center objectives and long-term organizational goals.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Requires Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school, with active membership, in good standing with Texas Bar Association, supplemented by 5 years of experience practicing law, preferably with a focus on government or corporate employment law (either in private practice or in-house); or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Experience with trauma-informed services; cognitive behavioral therapies, including Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT); and motivational therapies including the use of incentives, preferred.

Required Knowledge and Abilities

  • In-depth knowledge of federal, state, and local, regulations, and best practices, including but not limited to employment and health care matters.
  • Proven experience providing legal counsel and support in a corporate environment or to corporate clients, with a strong emphasis on employment law matters.
  • Demonstrated ability to handle complex employment and health law issues, investigations, and litigation effectively.
  • Excellent analytical, research, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to apply legal principles to practical business situations.
  • Strong negotiation, drafting, and communication skills, with the ability to explain legal concepts clearly and concisely to non-legal professionals.
  • Ability to work collaboratively and build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, including HR, management teams, and employees at all levels.
  • Exceptional attention to detail, organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
  • Strong public speaking skills and a demonstrated executive presence.
  • Experience working with outside counsel and managing external legal resources is a plus.

Knowledge of trauma-informed theories, principals, and practices (includes multi-faceted understanding of concepts such as community trauma, intergenerational and historical trauma, parallel processes, and universal precautions), preferred.

Physical Demands

Performs sedentary work that involves walking or standing some of the time and involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis or sustained keyboard operations.

Unavoidable Hazards (Work Environment)

  • Involves routine and frequent exposure to:
    • Bright/dim light; Dusts and pollen.
    • Extreme heat and/or cold; Wet or humid conditions.
    • Extreme noise levels, Animals/wildlife.
    • Vibration; Fumes and/or noxious odors.
    • Traffic; Moving machinery.
    • Electrical shock; Heights.
    • Radiation; Disease/pathogens.
    • Toxic/caustic chemicals; Explosives; Violence.
    • Other extreme hazards not listed above.

Special Certifications and Licenses

  • Must possess and maintain a valid state Driver's License with an acceptable driving record.
  • Must be able to pass a TB, criminal background, and drug screen.

Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance (ADA)

Emergence Health Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires Emergence Health Network to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.

Other Job Characteristics

  • Staffing requirements, including criteria that staff have diverse disciplinary backgrounds, have necessary State required license and accreditation, and are culturally and linguistically trained to serve the needs of the clinic's patient population.
  • Credentialed, certified, and licensed professionals with adequate training in person-centered, family-centered, trauma informed, culturally-competent and recovery-oriented care.
  • Responsible for leading and implementing the EHN common purpose and service framework to continuously provide exceptional care to all constituents.

Note: This Class Description does not constitute an employment agreement between the Emergence Health Network and an employee and is subject to change by the Emergence Health Network as its needs change.