Principal Employment Law Attorney : General Counsel

Job Description

About the Role

Hoag is seeking a dynamic and strategic Employment Attorney to join our growing Legal team. As Hoag continues to expand, this role plays a critical part in minimizing legal risk while supporting a positive, compliant, and inclusive workplace culture.

You will act as a trusted advisor to Human Resources and Leadership, providing expert legal counsel on a wide range of employment-related matters. Your work will influence organizational policies and practices that protect Hoag and its people while enabling innovation and growth across the health system.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and counsel on all aspects of employment law, including hiring, termination, disciplinary action, workplace accommodations, wage and hour compliance, discrimination, harassment, and labor relations.
• Draft, review, and negotiate employment-related agreements including employment contracts, physician agreements, retention agreements, and arbitration agreements.
• Ensure employment documents and policies remain compliant with current laws and reflect organizational strategy and risk posture.
• Conduct internal investigations and provide strategic guidance on employment claims and sensitive personnel issues.
• Analyze and interpret federal, state, and local employment laws, and translate them into practical, proactive legal advice.
• Partner closely with HR, hospital administration, and physician leadership to align legal strategies with operational goals.
• Assist in developing, updating, and implementing workplace policies, procedures, handbooks, and training materials.
• Coordinate with outside counsel on employment litigation, administrative proceedings, and specialized legal matters.
• Support organizational compliance initiatives and risk mitigation strategies.
• Perform other legal duties as assigned in a dynamic, fast-paced healthcare environment.
  
  

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school recognized by the American Bar Association.
• Active membership in good standing with the California State Bar.
• 4+ years of relevant employment law experience, preferably with a mix of law firm and in-house counsel roles.
• Strong knowledge of California employment laws and regulations.
• Proven expertise drafting and negotiating employment contracts, arbitration agreements, physician contracts, and retention agreements.
• Excellent legal research, writing, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities with sound judgment and a collaborative mindset.
• Experience conducting internal investigations and advising on high-risk personnel issues.
  
  

About Us

Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian is a nonprofit regional health care delivery network in Orange County, California, consisting of three acute-care hospitals with sixteen urgent care centers, eleven health centers and a network of more than1,800 physicians, 100 allied health members, 8,000 employees, and 2,000 volunteers. More than 30,000 inpatients and 550,000 outpatients choose Hoag each year.

For over 70 years, Hoag has delivered a level of personalized care that is unsurpassed among Orange County’s health care providers. Since 1952, Hoag has served the local communities and continues its mission to provide the highest quality health care services through the core strategies of quality and service, people, physician partnerships, strategic growth, financial stewardship, community benefit and philanthropy.

Hoag offers a comprehensive blend of health care services including six institutes providing specialized care in the areas of cancer, heart and vascular, neurosciences, women's health, orthopedics, and digestive health through our institutes.

Hoag was the highest ranked hospital in Orange County in the 2024-2025 U.S. News &World Report, the only Orange County hospital ranked in the top 10 for California. The organization was ranked the #5 hospital in the Los Angeles Metro Area and the #10 hospital in California.

To learn more about Hoag’s awards and accreditations, visit: https://www.hoag.org/about-hoag/awards-accreditations/ .

Hoag is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. Hoag is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. Hoag hires a diverse group of people in a manner that allows them to reach their full potential in the pursuit of organizational objectives.