Vice President of Legal and Compliance at VetEvolve

Summary:

The Vice President of Legal and Compliance will serve as the chief legal advisor to VetEvolve, a rapidly growing veterinary hospital consolidator, and will oversee all legal and compliance aspects of the business. This role focuses on mergers and acquisitions (M&A), contract negotiation, compliance, corporate governance, and legal advisory. The VP of Legal and Compliance will play a pivotal role in facilitating the company’s growth by ensuring smooth execution of acquisitions, managing contractual obligations, and maintaining a robust compliance framework while mitigating legal risks.

Key Responsibilities

Mergers and Acquisitions

• Lead and oversee the legal aspects of the company’s M&A activities, including due diligence, transaction structuring, and integration.
• Draft, review, and negotiate acquisition agreements, including asset purchase agreements, stock purchase agreements, and related documents.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws related to acquisitions and business operations.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure timely and efficient deal closures.

Contracts Management

• Develop, review, and negotiate a wide variety of commercial agreements, including vendor, service, employment, and partnership contracts.
• Create and standardize employment agreement templates to address compensation, restrictive covenants (non-compete, non-solicitation), intellectual property assignments, and termination provisions.
• Establish and maintain a robust contract management system to track obligations, renewals, and terminations.
• Advise on risk allocation and mitigation strategies in contracts to align with business goals.

Corporate Governance and Compliance

• Compliance Framework Development: Design, implement, and maintain a comprehensive compliance program to address regulatory requirements across the veterinary and healthcare sectors, including federal and state-specific healthcare regulations.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure compliance with labor laws, privacy regulations (e.g., HIPAA where applicable), data protection standards, and anti-bribery statutes.
• Policy Creation and Enforcement: Draft and enforce company-wide compliance policies and procedures to promote ethical business practices.
• Conduct regular compliance training for employees and leadership to foster a culture of awareness and adherence to regulations.
• Monitor regulatory developments and adjust compliance programs accordingly to mitigate potential risks.
• Maintain and manage corporate records, filings, and reports for all legal entities.
• Collaborate with HR and operations teams to ensure workplace policies comply with evolving employment laws and healthcare standards.

Legal Advisory

• Provide strategic legal counsel to the executive team and Board of Directors.
• Proactively identify and mitigate legal risks across all business operations.
• Manage and resolve disputes, litigation, and regulatory matters, including the oversight of external counsel.
• Stay current on industry trends and legal developments impacting the veterinary and healthcare sectors.

Leadership and Collaboration

• Supervise and manage external legal counsel to ensure cost-effective delivery of services.
• Partner with cross-functional teams, including finance, HR, operations, and business development, to achieve company objectives.
• Foster a culture of legal awareness and compliance throughout the organization.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• Minimum 5 years of experience, including significant expertise in M&A, contracts, corporate law, and compliance.
• Experience in healthcare, veterinary services, or similar consolidator industries preferred.
• Proven ability to manage complex transactions and provide strategic advice in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong negotiation, analytical, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to balance legal risks with business objectives.