Senior Counsel, Labor and Employment - Aspen Dental

The Aspen Group (TAG) is one of the largest and most trusted retail healthcare business support organizations in the U.S. and has supported over 20,000 healthcare professionals and team members at more than 1,300 health and wellness offices across 48 states in four distinct categories: dental care, urgent care, medical aesthetics, and animal health. Working in partnership with independent practice owners and clinicians, the team is united by a single purpose: to prove that healthcare can be better and smarter for everyone. TAG provides a comprehensive suite of centralized business support services that power the impact of five consumer-facing businesses: Aspen Dental, ClearChoice Dental Implant Centers, WellNow Urgent Care, Chapter Aesthetic Studio, and AZPetVet. Each brand has access to a deep community of experts, tools and resources to grow their practices, and an unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality consumer healthcare experiences at scale. As a reflection of our continued growth, we have an exciting opportunity to join our Legal team as a Senior Counsel, Labor and Employment.

Under the supervision of The Aspen Group’s (“TAG’s”) Vice President, Associate General Counsel – Labor & Employment, this Senior Counsel will provide strategic legal guidance on labor and employment matters, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations while mitigating legal risks. This individual will advise on a wide range of employment issues, including labor relations, employee benefits, workplace policies, employee disputes, and litigation across TAG’s brands with an initial focus on the ClearChoice brand. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of employment law and a proven track record of handling complex employment-related legal matters.

Key Responsibilities

• Advisory and Compliance:  Provide legal counsel and strategic advice on labor and employment issues, including but not limited to hiring practices, employee classifications, terminations, wage and hour compliance, discrimination, and harassment.  Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, including the FLSA, FMLA, ADA, Title VII, and other relevant legislation.  Monitor legal developments and trends in labor and employment law, assessing their potential impact on the company.
• Employee Relations & Dispute Resolution:  Provide counsel in support of the employee relations team on related matters, ensuring effective resolution of workplace disputes, complaints, and grievances.  Assist with internal investigations related to employee misconduct, harassment, discrimination, and other workplace violations.  Handle employment-related litigation, arbitration, and mediations, working closely with external counsel where necessary.    
• Policy Development:  Draft, review, and update company-wide employment policies, handbooks, and procedures to ensure compliance with evolving employment laws and best practices.  Provide training and education to HR and management teams on employment law matters and internal policies.
• Litigation Management:  Manage and oversee employment litigation, including claims related to wrongful termination, discrimination, wage and hour disputes, and other employment-related claims.  Work with external counsel on complex employment litigation cases and oversee settlement negotiations.
• Risk Management:  Proactively identify potential labor and employment legal risks and develop strategies to mitigate these risks.  Advise on employment-related aspects of mergers, acquisitions, and restructurings.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
• Active bar membership in good standing.
• Minimum of 6 years of legal experience, with significant expertise in labor and employment law.
• Extensive knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
• Strong experience in managing complex employment litigation and disputes.
• Proven experience working with HR teams and senior leadership to resolve labor and employment issues.
• Excellent legal research, writing, and communication skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with a strategic mindset.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
   

Other Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a corporate in-house legal department specializing in labor and employment law.
• Experience with multi-jurisdictional employment law issues.
• Experience in a distributed healthcare setting (e.g., regional health systems).  

Salary: $160-200k with bonus opportunity