In-House Counsel

Position Overview:

The In-House Counsel will serve as the firm’s primary legal resource, providing proactive and practical guidance across all areas of firm operations. This role requires a strong understanding of the professional services industry, particularly the unique regulatory, contractual, and risk management considerations faced by CPA firms. The In-House Counsel will partner with firm leadership, service line leaders, and administrative departments to mitigate risk, ensure compliance, and support the firm’s long-term independence and growth strategy.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Governance, Compliance & Risk Management

• Advise on firm structure, ownership, and governance, including partnership agreements, succession planning, and independence considerations.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and professional standards (AICPA, PCAOB, state boards of accountancy, etc.).
• Develop and implement firmwide risk management policies and procedures.
• Monitor developments in law and regulation affecting the CPA profession.

2. Contracts & Transactions

• Draft, review, and negotiate client engagement letters, vendor agreements, technology licenses, NDAs, BAA’s and other contractual documents.
• Support M&A activity (firm acquisitions, practice combinations, joint ventures) including due diligence, purchase agreements, and integration documentation.
• Advise on ancillary business investments and alternative practice structures.

3. Employment & HR Support

• Provide counsel on employment law matters, including recruiting, onboarding, employee relations, separations, and restrictive covenants.
• Support the Chief People Officer and HR team on policy development, investigations, and dispute resolution.
• Advise on benefit plans, ESOPs, equity/ownership transitions, and executive compensation.

4. Litigation & Dispute Resolution

• Manage outside counsel in litigation, arbitration, and regulatory proceedings.
• Oversee response to subpoenas, discovery requests, and professional liability matters.
• Support internal investigations and provide risk assessments on potential claims.

5. Client & Practice Protection

• Provide guidance on independence, conflicts of interest, and ethical compliance in client acceptance/continuance.
• Advise on confidentiality, data privacy, and cybersecurity legal obligations.
• Partner with engagement teams to structure agreements that protect the firm while serving client needs.

6. General Legal & Strategic Support

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Managing Director, Executive Committee, and C-Suite on legal strategy and risk mitigation.
• Assist with firm capital planning, financing arrangements, and insurance programs.
• Provide legal training and resources to partners and staff.
• Act as a liaison to external regulators, insurers, and outside counsel as needed

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Active license to practice law
• Minimum 7 years of relevant legal experience, ideally with exposure to professional services or public accounting environments.
• Strong background in contracts, employment law, governance, and risk management.
• Experience in M&A transactions preferred.
• Exceptional judgment, discretion, and ability to translate legal concepts into practical business advice.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to influence senior leaders and work across al levels of the firm.

Competencies:

• Business acumen and a solutions-oriented mindset.
• Ability to balance legal risk with business objectives.
• Collaborative leadership style with a focus on relationship-building.
• High ethical standards and commitment to protecting the firm’s independence and reputation.

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