Location: WISH: 4th FLR BLK 100
JOB SUMMARY
Responsible for the overall direction, leadership and executive management of legal services, institutional risk management, and records and information management services for Parkland including oversight of issues involving compliance with laws, regulations, and hospital policies. Provides supervision of outside litigation and other contract legal counsel. Provides advice and counsel to the Board of Managers and senior staff regarding all aspects of system operations, including human resources, contracts, facilities and real estate development, risk management, medical staff, healthcare, and public information. Leads and manages Legal Affairs Department, including strategic identification of current and future legal needs and overall responsibility for effective and efficient delivery of legal services to Parkland.
Essential Functions
- Responsible for the overall direction and leadership of the Parkland Legal Affairs Department. Consults with and advises Board of Managers, senior management, and executive leadership on legal issues, medical/legal ethics and the legal implications of external public policy decisions. Demonstrates and continually grows knowledge of new and existing rules, regulations, policies, laws, and guidelines that impact Parkland. In support of the governmental relations staff, contributes to evaluation and feedback of proposed legislation and regulations; assists in developing legislative and administrative proposals; meets with commissioners, legislators, legislative staff, and administrative officials; testifies or arranges testimony at public meetings including legislative hearings. Assists in developing effective internal controls designed to promote adherence with applicable laws, accreditation agency requirements, and federal/state/private health plans. Seeks guidance as needed to ensure proper understanding.
- Litigation: sets and implements Parkland's litigation strategy based on system goals and risk tolerance. Ensures effective selection and management of outside litigation counsel, including negotiation of fee arrangements. Develops and implements processes for early claim identification and evaluation, and ensures coordination of litigation and disputes with related business and operational processes and developments. Advises physician house staff, nursing, employment, and other Parkland departments regarding case preparation, strategy and trial developments. Answers inquiries and schedules conferences to advance cases appropriately while providing overall case coordination. Ensures executive leadership and Board of Managers are timely informed of and counseled regarding key case events and decisions, as appropriate.
- Transactions: represents, or supervises counsel for, the Dallas County Hospital District in business, real estate, and other transactions. Prepares contracts and other transactions on behalf of Parkland as needed. Ensures effective legal subject matter expert support of Parkland's contracting and procurement functions.
- Operations: ensures effective legal support of hospital and system operations, including legal subject matter expert support for information technology, artificial intelligence, government relations, and affiliate entity and non-clinical operational functions. Ensures consistent availability of timely legal support for urgent and emergent operational matters including support for clinical and administrative staff facing complex clinical or non-clinical patient-related decision-making.
- Provides thought leadership and training for management and staff on legal liability and other issues to ensure that employees are aware of their role in medical/legal events.
- Maintains a positive working relationship and visible presence with management, vendors, other hospitals and hospital attorneys, employees, medical and legal professionals, and external stakeholders to facilitate cooperation and respect for Parkland legal operations, while advocating Parkland's interests.
- Serves on hospital and system committees as assigned.
Education
- Juris Doctor (JD) Degree required.
Work Experience
- 15+ years legal experience; 10 years healthcare legal experience required.
- Relevant legal experience must include supervision of material litigation, investigations, and commercial contracts and transactions, and operational support for hospital district, hospital system, or other significant healthcare provider organization; direct practice or oversight of labor and employment, real estate/leasing, and risk management matters; and strategic and tactical leadership of multiple lawyers and non-attorney professionals. Relevant legal experience may also include the practice of public law, healthcare finance and revenue cycle management, managed care, hospital operations, medical malpractice litigation, healthcare risk management, healthcare regulatory practice, medical staff matters, public finance, and construction law preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
- Adept at execution and delivery (planning, delivering, and supporting) skills required.
- Adept at business intelligence required.
- Adept at collaboration and teamwork skills required.
- Adept at digital literacy skills required.
- Mastery of problem solving and decision-making skills required.
- Mastery of growth mindset (agility and developing yourself and others) skills required.
Licenses/Certifications/Registrations
- Active license to practice law in the applicable state or jurisdiction required.
Competencies
Leadership & Talent:
- Manager of other Executives or Chief Officers with indirect responsibility for diverse teams of Leaders, Managers and associates.
- Total reports (direct and indirect) typically are 250 or more associates.
- Has broad authority for workforce planning, including recommending workforce size, deployment strategy, job structure and special compensation arrangements. Contributes to overall people strategy for the organization.
- Has direct and substantial authority to establish budgets and is fully accountable for meeting the organization's budget obligations. Has authority to approve expenditures and allocate resources as needed beyond the budget.
- Financial or expense risk accountability is typically significant.
Communication & Influence:
- Decisions made are governed by business strategy and objectives established by the CEO.
- Key participant in the development of the organization's long-term business vision and strategy.
Organizational Impact:
- Establishes and implements strategy and translates that into objectives and business plans for the area(s) of responsibility, with direct impact on the achievement of organizational results. Focus is on long-term strategies (e.g., five or more years).
- Directly determines the overall system vision and strategy.
Knowledge & Experience:
- Broad leadership capabilities are required to inspire teams and the broader organization to achieve results and embrace strategies and vision for the organization.
- Possesses a deep understanding of the health care industry and the organization's current and future positioning in the industry.
Problem Solving:
- Requires conceptual thinking in complex/completely new situations.
Interpersonal Skills:
- Skilled communicator who influences and negotiates with great latitude on outcomes.
Requisition ID: 985682
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Parkland Health and Hospital System (PHHS)
Feb 04, 2026