Vice President, Assistant General Counsel

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the Vice President General Counsel - Healthcare Operations and Claims, Litigation & Risk Prevention, the VP Assistant General Counsel is responsible for planning, directing, and advising the legal function for Baylor Scott and White Health (BSWH), which includes providing legal advice and services on issues concerning the legal rights, obligations, litigations, and privileges of BSWH, and may include specialized legal advice in an area of expertise or assigned area of responsibility. Develops and implements legal policies, procedures, and practices for BSWH and ensures the organization complies with all applicable laws and regulatory requirements. Leads, develops, reviews, and negotiates legal documents, letters of agreements, contracts, opinions, correspondence, and reports in various legal areas which may include litigation, joint ventures, physician groups, complex contracts, commercial transactions, intellectual property, employment, compliance, and federal, state, and regulatory matters. Provides legal review for BSWH communications, contracts, documents, filings, and press releases as appropriate. Interprets and clarifies relevant laws, rulings, regulations, and statutes for senior leadership and advises on proposed legislation and recent changes in laws and regulations that affect BSWH. Identifies, monitors, and addresses issues of legal risk and protects BSWH legal interests and rights. Represents and advocates for the organization in litigation, arbitration, mediation, or other disputes with courts, government agencies, or other legal authorities. Leads and conducts written discovery, due diligence, and trial preparation as appropriate. Represents the organization to patients, vendors, suppliers, government entities, regulatory agencies, and other external parties. Works closely with senior leadership, risk management, compliance, operations, and other stakeholders to identify and prevent violations of law and promote BSWH compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

- Oversees and conducts legal research into a variety of legal issues within assigned area of responsibility.
- Provides legal and strategic oversight for the management of claims, litigation, healthcare operations, and risk management matters across BSWH.
- Directs and oversees medical malpractice and professional liability claims, general liability matters, prompt pay disputes, managed care and reimbursement matters, and other significant claims, litigation, or disputes impacting the health system.
- Partners with clinical, operational, risk management, managed care, finance, compliance, and executive leadership to identify, evaluate, and mitigate legal, operational, financial, and reputational risks affecting BSWH.
- Develops and directs enterprise strategy for significant claims and litigation, including early case assessment, liability and exposure evaluation, resolution strategy, outside counsel and expert management, mediation, trial, and identification of trends and opportunities for systemic risk reduction.
- Acts as assistant general counsel for BSWH and provides legal advice and assists with negotiation of complex contracts.
- Provides legal and regulatory interpretations and operational legal advice to business leadership, including new legislation and regulations.
- Composes, edits, and finalizes legal agreements, opinions, correspondence, reports and other legal documentation.
- Applies specialized legal and subject matter expertise in one or more of the substantive areas of oversight.
- Serves as a legal point person to business leaders to navigate and address legal issues impacting complex business problems or strategies.
- Oversees legal projects, coordinating with and supervising the attorney team leaders and staff.
- Identifies and executes on process improvements to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the delivery of legal services for BSWH.
- Advises leadership and stakeholders on new laws, existing laws, and legal rights that would impact functionality of BSWH.
- Assesses and anticipates potential legal risks and implements mitigation strategies, performing legal and factual research as required.

KEY SUCCESS FACTORS

- Juris Doctor degree required.
- 7+ years of experience practicing healthcare law. 10+ years preferred, with expertise in family or related area.
- 3+ years of experience in a leadership role.
- Possesses a current law license in US state of residence.
- Must obtain a Texas law license within 6-14 months of hire.
- Health Law certification preferred.
- Ability to develop trust and collaborative relationships.
- Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

- Juris Doctor
- 7 years of experience
- Licensed by State Bar of Texas within 6-14 months of hire