About City of Hope

City of Hope is an independent biomedical research and treatment organization for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases.

Founded in 1913, City of Hope is a leader in bone marrow transplantation and immunotherapy such as CAR T cell therapy. City of Hope’s translational research and personalized treatment protocols advance care throughout the world. Human synthetic insulin, monoclonal antibodies and numerous breakthrough cancer drugs are based on technology developed at the institution. AccessHope™, a subsidiary launched in 2019 serves employers and their health care partners by providing access to City of Hope’s specialized cancer expertise.

A National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center and a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, City of Hope is ranked among the nation’s “Best Hospitals” in cancer by U.S. News & World Report and received Magnet Recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Its main campus is located near Los Angeles, with additional locations throughout Southern California and in Arizona.

City of Hope’s commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

We believe diversity, equity and inclusion is key in serving our mission to provide compassionate patient care, drive innovative discovery, and advance vital education focused on eliminating cancer and diabetes in all of our communities. Our commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion ensures we bring the full range of skills, perspectives, cultural backgrounds and experiences to our work -- and that our teams align with the people we serve in order to build trust and understanding. We are dedicated to fostering a community that embraces diversity - in ideas, backgrounds and perspectives; this is reflected in our work and represented in our people.

Position Summary

Deputy General Counsel serves as a key member for the City of Hope national system (“System”). As directed by Vice President, Labor & Employment and Litigation, the Deputy General Counsel advises on all labor and employment-related legal issues. Deputy General Counsel’s duties include, without limitation: provide legal advice and analysis; draft and review legal documents, including position statements, settlement agreements, contracts, employment agreements, etc.; perform legal research; assist management in drafting policies; oversee and/or conduct investigations; and supervise outside attorneys in connection with employment disputes and litigation, as well as other labor and employment matters. In particular, you will serve as a key strategic business partner for our System Human Resources and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion functions.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Counsel and advise on a broad range of labor and employment law issues, including those under local, state and federal laws governing EEO, wage & hour, sick leave, leave of absence, traditional labor, retaliation and whistleblower, discrimination, harassment, trade secret, Title IX, education, and other labor and employment law matters.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of local, state and federal employment discrimination and other employment-related statutes, including but not limited to ADA, ADEA, FEHA, FMLA, CFRA, NLRA, FCRA, ERISA, FLSA, federal and Cal-WARN Act, California Labor Code and IWC Wage Orders, PAGA, AB5, as well as common law employment claims.
  • Areas of advice include: recruiting; hiring; onboarding; benefits; compensation programs and pay equity; leave administration; interactive process and reasonable accommodations; payroll; performance management; employee discipline; workplace investigations; termination issues; reductions in force; investigations; union matters, including CBA interpretation and application, grievances, arbitrations, negotiations, representation and unit modification petitions, and unfair labor practices charges; protection of intellectual property, trade secrets, restrictive covenants and unfair competition; DE&I programs; training; enterprise program/policy development and enforcement; organizational design.
• Provide legal advice to senior management and departments by providing written or oral opinions on complex legal issues.
• Evaluate and communicate legal risks associated with complaints, grievances, charges, employer policies and practices, and other legal matters.
• Draft, review, and analyze employment-related agreements, including consulting, severance, incentive compensation, and confidentiality agreements; ensure agreements are administered according to requirements and seek to standardize agreements where appropriate.
• Draft legal and other documents, including but not limited to position statements, memoranda, reports, opinions, and correspondence.
• Review, comment on, and approve the legal terms of material agreements and contracts.
• Develop and/or review and comment upon employment-related policies and procedures.
• Monitor legislation, regulations, case law, and government enforcement activities relating to the above substantive legal areas, and provide proactive, strategic advice.
• Provide legal support for investigations concerning potential violations of applicable policies or laws, in coordination with other departments, including the Office of Corporate Compliance, Human Resources, and Internal Audit; conduct internal workplace investigations as needed.
• Counsel and advise relating to compliance with federal and state governmental agency requirements, such as the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs.
• Manage employment and labor related claims and disputes (including labor arbitrations, mediations, and litigation), including supervising, managing, and evaluating outside counsel, responding to administrative claims from governmental agencies and settlement demands, and negotiating resolution of claims.
• Provide direction to outside counsel. Develop litigation strategies related to labor and employment matters. Internally manage litigation activities, including discovery, witness preparation, mediation, arbitration and settlement, to attain favorable litigation outcomes.
• Follows established City of Hope and department policies, procedures, objectives, performance improvement, attendance, safety, environmental, and infection control guidelines, including adherence to the workplace Code of Conduct and Compliance Plan. Practices a high level of integrity and honesty in maintaining confidentiality.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.

Basic education, experience and skills required for consideration:

• J.D. from an accredited law school is required.
• Member of CA State Bar (preferred) or member of State Bar of another state with good standing in a State Bar within the U.S.
• 7-10 years of progressively responsible experience as an attorney giving legal counsel.
• 7-10 years of recent, relevant, and broad employment experience, as well as significant advice and counsel experience in a major law firm, in-house setting or equivalent.
• Experience shepherding a variety of employment matters and issues to conclusion, including internal investigations, employee disputes, and litigation.
• Experience managing outside counsel on litigation matters.
• Employment litigation experience, including wage and hour litigation experience.

Preferred education experience and skills:

• Experience advising and working on employee and labor issues related to mergers, acquisitions, and other transactions.
• Experience with health law and/or non-profit organization.

Additional Information:

• As a condition of employment, City of Hope requires staff to comply with all state and federal vaccination mandates.