Corporate Counsel

About Squire

Based in Orem and Salt Lake City, Squire has been a trusted advisor in financial services, specializing in tax, audit, wealth, and advisory services for over 50 years.

With solid values and business acumen as our foundation, Squire's culture promotes a steadfast commitment to three core values : Personal Connection, Proactive Ownership, and Thoughtful Innovation.

These principles have played a pivotal role in our enduring success, guiding us through decades of growth and evolution.

Apply now and be part of a team that fosters growth and encourages your professional development!

About the role :

The Associate General Counsel will play a crucial role in providing comprehensive legal support to Squire & Company, a leading regional public accounting firm, and reports to the CEO.

This role involves offering legal advice on various matters including regulatory compliance, contract negotiation, employment law, data privacy, and risk management.

The successful candidate will work closely with leaders of departments and lines of business to ensure that the firm's operations comply with legal and professional standards and support its strategic objectives.

Responsibilities :

• Legal Advisory :
• Provide expert legal advice on a range of issues including regulatory compliance, corporate governance, employment law, and commercial transactions.
• Develop and implement legal strategies to support the firm's business goals and mitigate risks.
• Contract Management :
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of contracts, including client agreements, nondisclosure agreements, vendor agreements, referral network agreements, customer and vendor SaaS agreements, and employment contracts..
• Ensure contracts comply with applicable laws, professional standards, and firm policies and mitigate legal and other risks to the firm.
• Interface with Partners and employees to provide advice and support on contracts and agreements.
• Respond to client-requested engagement terms and track contracts that diverge from firm's standard engagement terms.
• Risk Management :
• Play a key role on the firm's Risk Management Committee.
• Monitor and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations relevant to public accounting firms.
• Identify and assess potential legal risks and propose risk mitigation strategies.
• Provide training to employees on legal and compliance issues to foster a culture of compliance and risk awareness.
• Interface with practice leadership to ensure compliance with professional standards.
• Develop and oversee compliance programs to prevent legal and ethical violations.
• Data Privacy
• Play a key role on the Information Security sub-committee and contribute to strategies, policies, and controls to protect firm and client data, including personal identifiable information.
• Work with outside counsel and within outside counsel guidelines to ensure compliance with GDPR, CCPA, and other similar regulatory requirements for data privacy.
• Interface with customer counsel on client-requested Data Privacy Agreements (DPA) to seek alignment between customer DPAs, firm controls, and sub processor agreements (where sub processor is part of technology stack for Squire software licensed to customers).
• Carry out trainings for employees on data privacy regulations and our role in compliance
• Employment Law :
• Advise on employment law matters, including hiring practices, employee relations, terminations, and workplace policies.
• Work with outside counsel on specialty issues regarding employment law.
• Handle employment-related disputes and collaborate with HR on employee-related legal issues.
• Review and maintain employee contracts, non-solicitation, and other employee agreements.
• Advise on corporate governance matters and support the Board of Directors and senior management in governance practices.
• Assist in the preparation of board materials, resolutions, and corporate policies.
• Assist in firm partnership agreements with new or existing partners.
• Maintain corporate records and ensure compliance with corporate formalities and disclosures.
• Provide legal guidance in any business combinations (M&A), including structuring transactions, negotiating terms, and drafting transactional documents.
• Provide oversight to firm service offering to support client's compliance with the Corporate Transparency Act, which includes recording and reporting their Beneficial Ownership Interests.

Qualifications :

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
• Admission to the state bar in Utah or eligible for in-house counsel registration.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in a corporate legal department or law firm, preferably with experience in public accounting or professional services.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and regulations affecting public accounting firms.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and work effectively under pressure.
• Strong negotiation and drafting skills.
• High ethical standards and integrity.

Job Status : Full Time / Salaried

Work Location : Salt Lake City, UT; Orem, UT

Work Arrangements : In office, Hybrid

Squire Benefits Package

Squire takes pride in offering our benefit-eligible employees a comprehensive benefits package tailored to meet the needs of both individuals and their families.

Our benefits program is designed to provide peace of mind and ensure access to quality healthcare, covering 90% of healthcare premium coverage.

Average Annual Benefits Contribution (full-time employees)

• Medical / Dental / Vision Plans
• Robust Health Savings Account Match
• Flexible Spending Account
• 401(k) Match
• Employer Paid Short-Term & Longer-Term Disability
• Employer Paid Group Life Insurance Policy
• Accident Insurance Plans
• Employee Assistance Mental Health Services
• Pet Insurance Plans
• Identify Theft Protection Plans

Squire Perks :

• Squire Culture
• Discretionary and Spot Bonus Structure
• Professional Training
• Philanthropic Activities
• Signature Rewards Program
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Women's Professional Development
• Fitness Reimbursement
• Paid Time Off
• Health & Wellness Programs

Squire's dedication to excellence and quality work has garnered numerous accolades, including :

• Utah's Best Company Award - 8 years running
• 2023 Best Accounting Firm to Work For
• 100 Companies Championing Women Award
• Accounting Today's "Firms to Watch" in 2023
• Worksite Wellness Award 2020-2024
1 day ago