Associate General Counsel Job Description

'While the General Counsel oversees the entire legal team, the deputy counsel works under him, and each department is manned by an associate general counsel. While not yet the top in the firm, this is a department head, overseeing assistant counsels and other lawyers and staff. As department head, the position comes with prestige and honor, as well as higher pay. The average pay scale for an association general counsel is $134K - relatively high for a lawyer, with a range from $74K to $254K. Most people in this position report a high level of job satisfaction, as it is an established place for a lawyer to be.

Here are a few sample associate general counsel job descriptions:

Associate General Counsel

The candidate will report to the Associate Vice President and Deputy General Counsel for the HSLO. Will provide legal advice and services in support of the operations of System and its affiliated entities. Provide legal advice and counsel to administration and clinical staff regarding medical-legal matters, including informed consent, privacy, disclosures to law enforcement and other state and federal agencies, medical staff issues (including peer review), and regulatory requirements. Analyze the impact and application of federal and state health care laws and regulations, including Stark, HIPAA, EMTALA, the Civil Monetary Penalties Law, fraud and abuse laws, the Affordable Care Act, and Medicare Conditions of Participation in connection with and in relation to the clinical, strategic, and business operations of System and its affiliates. Provide advice regarding relationships and transactions with hospitals, physicians, vendors, managed care companies, third-party payors, administrative agencies, and employers, as needed. Analyze and apply state and federal licensure laws related to health care entities and licensed health care professionals, including scope of practice, board reporting obligations, mental health, and recipient rights. Assist in the preparation, review, and negotiation of documents for complex transactions, as needed, incorporating state and federal health care regulatory requirements, in particular Stark and the Anti-kickback Statute. Prepare and review other documents to assist the business and clinical functions of System and its affiliates. Develop and review policies and procedures for business and clinical functions. Serve on committees and assist in the formulation and implementation of policies and practices.  

The candidate should have a degree from an accredited law school, strong academic credentials, and be licensed to practice law in Michigan or eligible to seek admission to practice in Michigan. Must have 5+ years of relevant experience in a hospital setting, health care environment, or law firm, with practice primarily focused on health law related issues. Preference will be given to candidate with 8 years of relevant experience. Experience working with academic medical centers and/or public entities is helpful. Knowledge of the Michigan Public Health Code, the Michigan Mental Health Code, and Michigan law pertaining to the delivery of health care and the licensing of health care professionals is helpful. Knowledge of health care clients and a broad array of health care laws and regulations is essential. Should have proficiency in legal research, including Lexis, Westlaw and other research tools, as well as file and document management technology. 

Associate General Counsel 

The candidate should have 10+ years of experience as a Mid-Level Corporate Counsel to support the insurance needs with a specialty in third party casualty business. Will report to the General Counsel. Must have multi-state P&C liability insurance experience with an extensive understanding of bad faith law, contracts drafting and negotiating experience. Must have a J.D. degree from top law school and insurance experience. 

Associate General Counsel- Health Plans

Duties: Handle a wide range of legal responsibilities as assigned and supervised by the President of Plans and the SVP and General Counsel, including participating in business, operational and strategic decisions; advising leadership of Plans on legal strategies, issues and risk management; developing and negotiating managed care and third party payer contracts; overseeing Plans' agreements and arrangements with government payer programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, advising on provider network development and contracting, and managing general health plan legal matters including regulatory and compliance matters. Act as a strategic partner for the President of Plans in the establishment of Plans organizational goals.  

Qualification: Requires current membership in the Indiana Bar Association. Extensive experience in insurance operations, regulatory compliance, legal issues relating to insurance law, interpretation of various types of insurance policies and civil procedure issues, management of insurance related litigation, financial analysis techniques and principles of insurance. Requires ability to communicate sensitive issues with all levels of employees and management. Requires the ability to lead and influence leaders on areas within subject matter expertise. Requires prior management experience in insurance program administration. Requires current skills and expertise in insurance financial matters. Requires energy and interest in keeping up to date on ever-changing rules and regulations that apply to Health. Requires excellent language and writing skills in order to draft, edit and develop written policies, procedures, workforce training materials, web-based resources and other documentation. Requires experience in each of the general areas covered by the essential functions of the position; as well as a broad general background in business and civil law.  

Assistant General Counsel/Associate General Counsel

Duties: Be principally responsible for advising the Purchasing Department on complex purchase transactions; the University Libraries on database and e-content license agreements; and departments and units on end user, distribution and other forms of software license agreements and on transactions to purchase goods and services. Advise departments and units in asserting, responding to and resolving commercial disputes involving the University's purchase of goods and services (but not including representing the University in litigation or arbitration of such disputes). Counsel in the development of internal policies involving the University's purchase of goods and services. Advise and represent University departments and units in other types of transactions as assigned by the general counsel and the director.  

Requirements: A Juris Doctorate granted by an ABA accredited law school. Admission to and good standing in the State Bar of Minnesota or eligible for prompt admission. 5+ years' of experience advising clients on commercial transactions. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Strong analytical and interpersonal skills and cross cultural competencies. Highest level of integrity and professionalism. An ability to manage and prioritize work in a high volume practice. Having worked collegially and professionally in a diverse environment with peers, subordinates and clients. A complete understanding of copyright and other intellectual property laws that affect the ownership and licensing of software and content. 

Associate General Counsel - Mutual Funds

The candidate will focus primarily on legal responsibilities for a large complex of U.S. open end mutual funds across diverse asset classes. Responsibilities include: preparation and filing of annual updates of open end mutual fund prospectuses and statements of additional information on Form N-1A and supplements as needed; prospectus and SAI disclosure analysis on an ongoing basis and other legal support to mutual fund complex as needed, including interface with product development and fund administration units, new fund registrations, fund mergers, and preparation of board meeting materials. 3-7 years of relevant in-house counsel or law firm experience and a solid foundation in 1940 Act, 1933 Act, and Form N-1A are required.   

Associate General Counsel

Duties: Handle employment litigation and, from time to time, litigation involving tort matters, contract disputes, and other issues common to a large state agency. Handle campuses of the University in state and federal litigation, proceedings before federal and state administrative agencies, including the Public Employee Relations Board, as well as before University grievance and other administrative committees. Will be working with counsel from the Kansas Attorney General's office and supervising outside counsel.  

Qualifications: Must have a J.D. from an accredited American law school and membership in Kansas bar or admission, 5+ years active litigation experience, as well as 3+ years' practice experience in employment matters, and solid oral and written communication skills as evidenced by application materials. Trial experience is required. Preference will be given to candidates with experience representing institutions of higher education or other public entities. Experience in labor, construction, or civil rights practice considered a plus.'