About

Position Overview

• The In-House Counsel will serve as the firm’s primary legal resource, providing proactive and practical guidance across all areas of firm operations. This role requires a strong understanding of the professional services industry, particularly the unique regulatory, contractual, and risk management considerations faced by CPA firms. The In-House Counsel will partner with firm leadership, service line leaders, and administrative departments to mitigate risk, ensure compliance, and support the firm’s long-term independence and growth strategy.

Key Responsibilities

• 1. Governance, Compliance & Risk Management

• * Advise on firm structure, ownership, and governance, including partnership agreements, succession planning, and independence considerations.
• * Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and professional standards (AICPA, PCAOB, state boards of accountancy, etc.).
• * Develop and implement firmwide risk management policies and procedures.
• * Monitor developments in law and regulation affecting the CPA profession.

• 2. Contracts & Transactions

• * Draft, review, and negotiate client engagement letters, vendor agreements, technology licenses, NDAs, BAA’s and other contractual documents.
• * Support M&A activity (firm acquisitions, practice combinations, joint ventures) including due diligence, purchase agreements, and integration documentation.
• * Advise on ancillary business investments and alternative practice structures.

• 3. Employment & HR Support

• * Provide counsel on employment law matters, including recruiting, onboarding, employee relations, separations, and restrictive covenants.
• * Support the Chief People Officer and HR team on policy development, investigations, and dispute resolution.
• * Advise on benefit plans, ESOPs, equity/ownership transitions, and executive compensation.

• 4. Litigation & Dispute Resolution

• * Manage outside counsel in litigation, arbitration, and regulatory proceedings.
• * Oversee response to subpoenas, discovery requests, and professional liability matters.
• * Support internal investigations and provide risk assessments on potential claims.

• 5. Client & Practice Protection

• * Provide guidance on independence, conflicts of interest, and ethical compliance in client acceptance/continuance.
• * Advise on confidentiality, data privacy, and cybersecurity legal obligations.
• * Partner with engagement teams to structure agreements that protect the firm while serving client needs.

• 6. General Legal & Strategic Support

• * Serve as a trusted advisor to the Managing Director, Executive Committee, and C-Suite on legal strategy and risk mitigation.
• * Assist with firm capital planning, financing arrangements, and insurance programs.
• * Provide legal training and resources to partners and staff.
• * Act as a liaison to external regulators, insurers, and outside counsel as needed

Qualifications

• * Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• * Active license to practice law 
• * Minimum 7 years of relevant legal experience, ideally with exposure to professional services or public accounting environments.
• * Strong background in contracts, employment law, governance, and risk management.
• * Experience in M&A transactions preferred.
• * Exceptional judgment, discretion, and ability to translate legal concepts into practical business advice.
• * Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to influence senior leaders and work across al levels of the firm.

Competencies

• * Business acumen and a solutions-oriented mindset.
• * Ability to balance legal risk with business objectives.
• * Collaborative leadership style with a focus on relationship-building.
• * High ethical standards and commitment to protecting the firm’s independence and reputation.

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