Head of Employment and Litigation

About the role

Solace is a Series C startup founded in 2022 that simplifies the complex U.S. healthcare system by connecting patients with expert advocates. We are seeking a legal leader to manage our employment strategy and litigation docket as we scale our workforce across all 50 states. This position is pivotal in translating our mission into compliant, scalable, and resilient legal operations. The ideal candidate will own the end-to-end employment lifecycle and the associated litigation risks inherent in a rapidly growing, multi-state workforce. You will serve as the primary advisor to the executive team on all matters relating to human capital and legal exposure. Success in this role requires a proactive mindset focused on preventing issues before they escalate into costly disputes. Ultimately, this role is responsible for ensuring that our people practices and legal safeguards reinforce our business objectives.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Provide strategic counsel to executives and people leaders on complex wage and hour classifications, compensation structures, benefits administration, and leaves of absence management.
• Design and deliver engaging training programs for managers that focus on high-risk employment actions, including proper conduct during terminations and leading thorough investigations.
• Partner closely with the Head of People to architect scalable employment policies, employee handbooks, and protocols that are specific to the legal requirements of each state.
• Draft, review, and negotiate employment contracts, offer letters, separation agreements, and other related legal documents to protect the company's interests.
• Lead internal audits of employment practices and documentation to proactively identify and mitigate legal and regulatory risk.
• Track and analyze changes in state-level employment regulations, ensuring timely communication and implementation of necessary policy adjustments.
• Oversee the full lifecycle of external disputes, managing workflows involving subpoenas, responses to government agency inquiries, and the drafting of demand letters.
• Provide strategic oversight of outside counsel relationships, manage litigation budgets, and implement rigorous financial controls for legal spend.
• Develop and implement dispute-prevention measures, such as arbitration agreements and class-action waivers, to safeguard the company's legal posture.
• Analyze trends and early indicators of potential employee claims, driving corrective actions in partnership with HR to minimize liability.
• Evaluate emerging legal risks associated with new benefits, compensation models, or workplace policies before implementation.
• Champion the consistent application of employment policies across all states to ensure fairness and legal uniformity.
• Serve as the central point of contact for litigation-related matters, coordinating responses and strategy with internal stakeholders.
• Assess the effectiveness of current legal frameworks and recommend updates to align with best practices and evolving standards.
• Foster a legal environment that supports business growth while maintaining strict adherence to employment laws.

Requirements

• Must possess a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and hold active bar membership in good standing within the United States.
• Must bring a minimum of 9 to 12 years of demonstrated experience specifically in employment law and litigation.
• Must have a proven track record of providing decisive, risk-adjusted advice in a fast-paced, high-growth startup environment.
• Must have hands-on experience building employment policy frameworks from the ground up, including drafting manuals and procedural guides.
• Must demonstrate success in managing external counsel and legal budgets for a distributed, multi-state workforce.
• Must be physically based within the United States due to the nature of legal jurisdiction and compliance obligations.
• Must have a deep understanding of federal employment laws and the complex patchwork of state-specific regulations.
• Must be able to manage confidential information with the highest level of discretion and integrity.

Nice to have

• Prior experience working in an in-house legal department.
• Direct experience working within healthcare, marketplace, or other heavily regulated industries.

Practical notes

The role is fully remote with no requirement for travel. The position is based in the United States, and candidates must be available to work during standard business hours to collaborate with leadership and respond to legal matters. Solace will never request bank details or extend an offer without an interview. All official correspondence originates from Solace.health or ashbyhq.com email addresses. Candidates are instructed to report any suspicious activity to recruiting@solace.health or advocate@solace.health.