General Counsel - Chicago, IL

Are you looking to find personal and professional fulfillment, and align your career with your values? 

At Gateway Foundation, our employees have an opportunity to make a difference every day by helping people with substance abuse issues gain control of their lives.

Gateway Foundation is a recognized non-profit leader in evidence-based treatment proven to get results. Our experts in Addiction Medicine—including highly educated clinical and medical professionals and expert psychiatrists and nurses—deliver care that never stops. Throughout Gateway’s proud history of helping others, dedicated and professional employees have been vital to accomplishing our life-saving mission. 

If you are a collaborative professional who shares our commitment to helping people with substance abuse and mental health issues turn their lives around – GATEWAY IS THE PLACE FOR YOU! 

The General Counsel has ultimate responsibility for all legal functions of Gateway Foundation and serves as a key member of the executive leadership team.  This involves regularly advising the Board of Directors and the President/CEO on all legal matters. In addition, the General Counsel will represent Gateway Foundation in all legal matters, as well as organizing and coordinating outside counsel to represent the organization in legal matters.

ESSENTIAL GENERAL COUNSEL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develops short- and long-term strategies impacting Gateway’s legal functions. Keeps senior leadership informed of new legislation or regulations which might impact the business in any way; and when appropriate, working to influence legislative and regulatory proposals which can positively affect the company’s interests or operations.
• Provides legal advice and counsel and represents Gateway in legal proceedings. Anticipate issues and estimate risks strategically. Advise executive leadership team regarding the legal implications of their operational activities to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Ensures Gateway operations and practices are in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and are conducted in an ethical and professional manner consistent with our values and mission at all times and recommends changes to policies or procedures with the goal of minimizing risk.
• Reviews all policies prior to implementation for legal compliance and risk.
• Responsibility for management of all litigation involving the organization and its affiliates. Protect the health system and its affiliates’ rights in contract negotiations, litigation and settlements. 
• Develop and maintain required corporate documents, including articles, bylaws, policies, licenses.
• Oversees the preparation of legal documents.
• Recruits, retains, and coordinates work with external counsel as needed.
• Collaborates with other members of the executive leadership team to align departmental strategy or direction with Gateway’s goals.  
• Develops policies, practices and procedures for the organization.
• Reviews contracts for accuracy and to protect the organization in our business dealings with other entities.

REQUIREMENTS

• Must be in good standing with the Illinois State Bar.  (We also operate in MO, MI, WY, NJ, GA, FL, TX, CA, however local counsel is utilized in those states as necessary).
• Juris Doctor degree required.
• 10 years of professional law experience in the area of healthcare preferred.
• Knowledge of legislative, regulatory, and judicial issues that affect the health care community on state and federal levels.
• Ability to handle detailed, complex concepts/problems and make decisions regarding legal issues.
• Ability to handle multiple competing demands and prioritize workload
• Ability to drive strategic direction.
• Strong public speaking and writing skills, including the ability to clearly describe complex issues.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships.
• High level of emotional intelligence, excellent interpersonal skills; ability to make sound judgments.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Office work environment, based in Chicago, Illinois.
• Travel to sites across the country may be required as we operate as a national organization.

Competitive Compensation and Benefits: 

Gateway Foundation values its employees and provides an inclusive and diverse work environment where dedicated employees can make a difference. We are committed to engaging and rewarding our employees in meaningful ways. For eligible employees, we provide a Total Rewards Package that includes:

• Gateway is a qualified employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Health Insurance - Including a wellness premium incentive opportunity
• Dental & Vision Insurance
• Paid Time Off - Including 18 days of PTO and 9 paid holidays in the first year
• Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Saving Account
• Commuter Accounts
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with company match 
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Short Term Disability (STD) and Long-Term Disability (LTD)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Training & Development Programs

Gateway Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Race/Color/Sex/Sexual Orientation/ Gender Identity/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Vets. Please view Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here.