Who is VIP?
Veterinary Innovative Partners (VIP) was founded by four veterinarians who shared a simple vision — to be the most caring place for pets, pet parents, and pet care providers. As a veterinarian-owned-and-operated family of boutique hospitals, our mission is clear: to provide our clients, their pets, and our Team Members with the kind of personalized care that is achieved and sustained through the right balance of centralized support and hospital-level autonomy.
Join us at VIP, where compassion, expertise, and genuine care meet to create a truly exceptional veterinary experience for all. Together, we are shaping the future of pet care, one paw at a time.
Role Description:
The Vice President, Legal will serve as a trusted legal advisor at Veterinary Innovative Partners, providing legal guidance to ensure compliance with veterinary industry-specific regulations while positioning the company for strategic growth. As a key member of the executive leadership team, this role will shape the organization’s legal strategy, support business expansion efforts, and navigate the complexities of private equity partnerships and potential mergers or acquisitions. The VP, Legal will focus on risk management, corporate governance, and aligning legal functions with the company's mission to advance animal health and welfare.
Key Responsibilities:
- Legal Advisory:
- Provide legal counsel to executive management and various departments on a wide range of legal issues, including corporate governance, contracts, regulatory compliance, employment law, intellectual property, and litigation.
- Advise on legal risks and develop strategies to mitigate them.
- Regulatory Compliance:
- Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal laws, including veterinary practice regulations, animal welfare laws, and healthcare regulations.
- Stay abreast of changes in laws and regulations affecting the veterinary industry and implement necessary changes in company policies and practices.
- Partner with internal teams to ensure regulatory compliance across the organization.
- Contract Management:
- Draft, review, and negotiate various contracts, including vendor agreements, client contracts, employment agreements, and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) documents.
- Ensure that all contracts comply with legal standards and company policies.
- Growth and Private Equity Support:
- Provide legal guidance on scaling the organization, particularly in mergers, acquisitions, and private equity partnerships.
- Collaborate with financial and operational stakeholders to ensure legal strategies align with business objectives in preparation for a future sale or private equity investment.
- Support executive leadership in structuring deals, managing relationships with investors, and navigating legal implications of growth strategies.
- Litigation Management:
- Oversee and manage any litigation involving the company, including coordinating with outside counsel.
- Develop strategies for dispute resolution and risk management.
- Corporate Governance:
- Support the Board of Directors and executive management with governance practices and compliance matters.
- Prepare and maintain corporate records and documentation.
- Executive Leadership:
- Collaborate with other executives to align legal strategy with broader business objectives and ensure that legal considerations are integrated into the company’s overall strategy.
- Training and Development:
- Conduct training sessions for employees on legal compliance and ethical practices.
- Foster a culture of legal awareness and risk management throughout the organization.
- Collaboration:
- Collaborate with HR, compliance, and operational teams to develop and implement policies that align with legal requirements and best practices.
- Engage with external legal counsel and industry associations as necessary.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Strong understanding of veterinary regulations, animal welfare laws, and related healthcare compliance.
- Experience in mergers, acquisitions, and private equity transactions, particularly in high-growth environments.
- Familiarity with corporate governance practices and contract law.
- Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent verbal and written communication abilities.
- Ability to work collaboratively across departments and influence decision-making.
- Strong negotiation skills and the ability to influence stakeholders.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize effectively.
- High level of integrity and ethical standards.
- Demonstrate VIP core values
Requirements:
- Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school
- Active member of the state bar in good standing.
- 5+ years of legal experience, with a focus on corporate law, regulatory compliance, and litigation, preferably in the veterinary or healthcare industry.
- Experience with mergers, acquisitions, private equity partnerships, and scaling organizations for growth and future sale is highly preferred.
Veterinary Innovative Partners (VIP) is a network of veterinarian-owned-and-operated hospitals across nine states. VIP is guided by a mission to provide veterinarians and their teams with all the resources, mentorship, and autonomy they need to thrive personally and professionally while giving pets the best possible care.
Join the VIP family, where our team members are our top priority to ensure best-in-class personalized care, ownership and accountability, trust, and an exceptional work environment