Our client, a highly regarded physician-led medical group in the Pacific Northwest, has exclusively retained Solutus Legal Search to assist the organization in its search for a Chief Legal Officer.
Reporting to our client’s Executive Medical Director, the Chief Legal Officer (CLO) has exemplary relevant legal knowledge and business acumen and is a business and thought partner who is focused on assisting the organization in achieving its objective to provide great healthcare.
This executive will serve as a business and legal partner to the EMD, CEO, Board of Directors, and senior business leaders throughout the organization. The CLO will gain an understanding of the organization and the legal function and will help lead the modernization, transformation, and restructuring of the legal function and will help the organization achieve its healthcare and business objectives.
The CLO will have a broad set of responsibilities including:
Strategic Leadership & Governance
Serve as the principal legal advisor to the Executive Medical Director, CEO, Executive Leadership Team, and Board of Directors, contributing to enterprise strategy, long-range planning, and major organizational decisions.
Lead corporate governance activities, ensuring compliance with fiduciary duties, governing documents, corporate policies, and applicable securities or ownership considerations.
Support Board and shareholder governance processes, including elections, committee structures, bylaws, and related governance best practices.
Advise leadership on organizational structure, risk tolerance, and decision-making frameworks aligned with mission, values, and regulatory obligations.
Legal Strategy, Advisory Services & Business Enablement
Provide proactive, solution-oriented legal counsel across the enterprise, including healthcare regulatory law, corporate and transactional law, employment and labor law, quality and credentialing, telehealth and virtual care, Medicare and Medicaid compliance, and emerging care models.
Serve as lead legal advisor on strategic transactions, affiliations, joint ventures, acquisitions, divestitures, and new market or service line development.
Oversee the drafting, negotiation, and management of all material contracts, including payer agreements, provider and physician arrangements, vendor contracts, and strategic partnerships.
Act as a trusted legal partner to clinical, operational, and administrative leaders, enabling timely and informed business decisions.
Risk Management, Compliance & Regulatory Affairs
Advise on enterprise risk management, compliance programs, and the litigation portfolio.
Design, implement, and continuously improve systems and processes to ensure compliance with federal and state laws, healthcare regulations, accreditation standards, and internal policies.
Consult on legislative, regulatory, and government relations strategy in coordination with executive leadership, ensuring organizational interests are effectively represented at the state and federal levels.
Anticipate and advise on regulatory changes and emerging legal risks impacting care delivery, reimbursement, workforce, and innovation.
Legal Operations & Vendor Management
Gain an understanding of the organization and the legal function and will help lead the modernization, transformation, and restructuring of the legal function.
Lead, develop, and mentor the Legal Department, fostering a high-performing, service-oriented, and accountable team.
Establish best practices for legal operations, including matter management, contract lifecycle management, budgeting, and performance metrics.
Select, manage, and evaluate outside counsel and legal vendors, ensuring high-quality, cost-effective, and aligned legal services.
Executive Leadership & Organizational Culture
Model ethical leadership and reinforce the organization’s mission, vision, and values.
Promote a culture of transparency, collaboration, equity, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Integrate legal perspectives into enterprise initiatives, operational planning, and clinical transformation efforts.
Serve as a visible and trusted leader across the organization.
At least 10+ years of legal experience with a strong expertise in healthcare law and senior-level advisory roles.
JD from an accredited law school.
Eligible to practice law in Oregon and Washington, or ability to obtain right to practice law in Oregon and Washington within an agreed-upon timeframe.
Demonstrated expertise in healthcare regulatory matters, corporate governance, contracting, risk management, and employment law.
Experience advising executive leaders and boards of directors in complex, highly regulated environments.
Experience managing outside counsel and leading an in-house legal function.
Strategic Thinking & Business Acumen: Aligns legal strategy with organizational goals; anticipates industry and regulatory trends.
Integrity & Judgment: Exercises sound, ethical judgment; builds trust through transparency and consistency.
People Leadership: Develops talent, builds strong teams, and creates clarity and accountability.
Change & Innovation Leadership: Adapts quickly, supports innovation, and enables appropriate risk-taking