General Counsel

_Polston Management Group is looking for a highly qualified attorney with at least 10 years’ experience - including civil litigation experience - to serve as in-house General Counsel for our firm.
_ *Who Are We?* Polston Tax Resolution & Accounting was founded in 2001 with the mission of helping people escape the nightmare of owing back taxes.
Today, the firm not only services people who owe back taxes to the IRS or state, but also boasts a full-service tax and accounting firm.
_*What Will You Do?*_ _This position will provide the following responsibilities for the firm:_ * Serve in part as a one-person Human Resources department to ensure the rights of our employees are protected and the policies of the firm are adhered to.
* Prepare documents for the firm such as policies, templates, guidelines, evaluations, disciplinary, terminations, and other documents that comply with applicable local, state, and federal law, related and unrelated to human resources.
* Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, and recommended best practices; review policies and practices to maintain compliance.
* Conduct regular and proactive research to ensure the firm follows applicable law in the multiple states where our employees and clients reside, prior to and if an issue arises in various jurisdictions.
* Ensure consistent application of workplace policies and procedures as well as compliance with local laws and regulations.
* Handle the day-to-day responsibilities and functions for human resource management.
* Ensure company HR policies are applied consistently, or when exceptions are identified or permitted, such exceptions comply with all relevant employment or labor laws.
* Develop and monitor overall HR strategies, systems, tactics, processes, and procedures across the firm.
* Manage the staffing process, which may include interviewing, hiring, onboarding, and offboarding.
* Ensure job descriptions are up to date and compliant with all local, state, and federal regulations.
* Manage employee benefits, including but not limited to health insurance, 401K, time off requests, etc.
* Advise and counsel management on legal issues stemming from the relationship between employers and employees.
* Provide recommendations to upper management as appropriate for managing or addressing various employee or client matters.
* Handle employee matters as they arise, provide legal counsel on behalf of the firm, and ensure employee rights are protected.
* Protect the firm’s liability in employee disciplinary meetings, terminations, and investigations and bring them to resolution.
* Work collaboratively with upper management or managers to resolve complex or sensitive workplace conduct issues.
* Investigate employee complaints or concerns as appropriate to determine the validity of the complaint.
Design and execute upon investigation plans, including analyzing specific allegations, collecting, and assessing data and documentary evidence, and interacting with employees involved in the reviews, and conducting relevant witness interviews.
* Present findings of verified complaints or concerns to Upper Management to address.
Make objective and analytically-sound findings and provide recommendations and advice about options for corrective action as well as recommendations for internal improvements to mitigate risk.
Prepare and maintain files, recommendations, and reports as part of an end-to-end process.
* Represent the firm in court, before administrative agencies, at mediations, and in arbitration in employment matters, including class/collective actions and discrimination, harassment, retaliation, contract, employment tort, labor, non-solicitation, non-compete, and other cases.
* Collaborate with management to devise efficient defense strategies.
* Litigate cases before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) * Handle various legal matters on behalf of the firm requiring the ability to conduct thorough research on a variety of subject matters, including areas which the individual may have no prior experience including but not limited to contract law, cannabis law, employment law, etc.
* Guarantee that the firm is in compliance with all present business process laws.
* Research and evaluate different risk factors regarding business decisions and operations.
* Prepare and submit various forms to a variety of governmental agencies compliance and risk management exercises for our firm.
* Apply effective risk management techniques and offer proactive advice on possible legal issues.
* Provide clarification on legal language or specifications to everyone in the firm.
* Draft and submit for review agreements, contracts, privacy policy, terms and conditions, and other legal documents to ensure the firm’s full legal rights.
* Draft and submit for review employment agreements, contracts, company policies, and other documents as appropriate.
* Draft and submit for review vendor contracts and contractual work agreements.
* Manage multiple projects and priorities at once with effective and efficient time management and organization.
* Maintain current knowledge of amendments or changes to legislation reasonably expected to affect the business, employees, or other contractual relationships.
* Research and prepare legal memorandums to management to provide legal advice upon which the firm can rely upon to make decisions.
* Gain an excellent in-depth detailed understanding of each individual action which occurred on a case to ensure clients rights are protected and to explain, discuss, and defend the firm’s representation and reputation.
* Ensure recommendations to the firm are ever focused on minimizing the liability exposure of the firm.
* Conduct litigation work when required, including preparing Answers, Response Briefs, Reply Briefs, Discovery Questions, handling depositions, responding to a variety of courts including but not limited to, bankruptcy court, state court, federal court, tax court, and/or others.
* Effectively obtain pro hoc vice admission as appropriate and identify qualified co-counsel in other states as needed.
* Maintain knowledge of regulatory changes and employment law.
* Perform other duties as assigned.
*Education and Skill Requirements* _The General Counsel will possess knowledge of a broad range of human resource strategies and practices, including compensation, performance management, safety, hiring and employee relations, labor laws, discrimination, equal employment opportunity, and other laws; with the ability to apply these strategies and practices in compliance with employment regulations.
_ * In Good Standing and Admitted to Practice Law in Oklahoma State Court and Federal Court * A Juris Doctor degree from an ABA accredited law school * A bachelor’s degree in human resources, labor relations, organizational development, business, or related area; relevant work experience may be a substitute.
* Proven 10+ years of experience practicing law with civil litigation trial experience through all stages of trial, including to Judgment/Verdict.
* A minimum of 3+ years of Human Resource management experience.
* Excellent knowledge and understanding of corporate law and procedures.
* Outstanding knowledge of US employment laws * Demonstrated ability to create legal defensive or proactive strategies.
* Experience with analyzing data to guide strategic employment planning.
* Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to interact and effectively communicate both orally and in writing with employee witnesses, members of leadership, and other key stakeholders.
* A strong personal ethical code and integrity, with a deep respect for privacy and confidentiality.
* The experience and confidence to make difficult decisions and to exercise expert judgment.
* The ability to recognize and put aside personal biases, to see different perspectives, and to conduct all reviews independently and objectively.
* Strong critical thinking and analytical skills, especially in complex and nuanced situations.
* An ability to work autonomously and collaboratively in a self-motivated, detail-oriented, and highly organized manner.
* Curiosity and a learning mindset with a willingness to engage in continual learning and to contribute to the learning of the team.
* Resilience in managing a demanding workload, balancing shifting priorities, and meeting deadlines.
* Extremely detail-oriented * A calm demeanor even in tense or high-stakes situations.
* Equipment, such as computer, tablet and/or phone, to work remotely when the office is closed due to inclement weather, power outage etc.
* Internet - a minimum of 50 Mbps internet service with a recommended speed of 100 Mbps for optimal performance.
* Satisfactory background and reference checks.
*What Can We Give You?* _*A collaborative, team-based work atmosphere*__- we bring our best selves to the table and work together to impact the lives of our clients every day.
_ * _*Paid volunteer events*_ _- _we create an environment that supports and values the importance of giving back and serving others.
* _*Fun company-sponsored events*_ _- _a great way to get to know each other better.
* _*Investment in employees*_ - we pride ourselves on giving our employees the chance to grow their careers.
* _*Caring for Your Whole Well Being - *_our benefits package is designed with your well-being in mind.
We offer medical, dental, and vision insurance in addition to short- and long-term disability, life insurance, pet insurance, and a gap plan through Aflac to eligible employees.
* _*Additional benefits - *_paid time off (PTO) such as sick days and vacation days, paid holidays, 401K which includes matching when eligible.
* _*Competitive Salary - *_a pay range that considers skills, experience, and education.
EOE Job Type: Full-time Pay: $120,000.
00 - $150,000.
00 per year Benefits: * 401(k) * 401(k) matching * Dental insurance * Health insurance * Health savings account * Life insurance * Paid time off * Vision insurance Application Question(s): * Are you in Good Standing and Admitted to Practice Law in Oklahoma State Court and Federal Court at the time of this application? * Did you have a Juris Doctor degree from an ABA accredited law school? * Do you have proven 10+ years of experience practicing law with civil litigation trial experience through all stages of trial, including to Judgment/Verdict? * Do you have a minimum of 3 years of Human Resource management experience? Ability to Relocate: * Moore, OK 73160: Relocate before starting work (Required) Work Location: Hybrid remote in Moore, OK 73160