General Counsel

About Squire:

Based in Orem and Salt Lake City, UT, Squire has been a trusted advisor in financial services, specializing in tax, audit, wealth, and advisory services for over 50 years. With solid values and business acumen as our foundation, Squire's culture promotes a steadfast commitment to three core values: Personal Connection, Proactive Ownership, and Thoughtful Innovation. These principles have played a pivotal role in our enduring success, guiding us through decades of growth and evolution.

Are you passionate about driving excellence and embracing innovation? We extend an invitation to individuals who share our dedication to expansion and growth. Join us and discover the opportunity to contribute to a professional services firm where your efforts are valued and rewarded.

About the role:

The General Counsel will play a crucial role in providing comprehensive legal support to Squire & Company, a leading regional public accounting firm, and reports directly to the COO. This role covers a wide range of legal areas including regulatory compliance, contract negotiation, employment law, data privacy, and risk management.

This role is more than just keeping the lights on. We're looking for a people-first leader who is also business-minded?someone who thrives in ambiguity and sees business expansion as an opportunity for career growth. This is a strategic role that requires a true business partner: someone eager to drive firm-wide initiatives, shape policy, and scale processes that support growth and transformation. The ideal candidate is collaborative yet confident enough to push when needed, comfortable rolling with the punches, and energized by change management?not just tolerant of it. They will work closely with leaders across departments and service lines to ensure that the firm?s operations comply with legal and professional standards while advancing strategic objectives.

Responsibilities:

• Legal Advisory:
  • Provide expert legal advice on a range of issues including regulatory compliance, corporate governance, employment law, and commercial transactions.
  • Develop and implement legal strategies to support the firm?s business goals and mitigate risks.
  • Lead legal strategy on client litigation matters, including interfacing with external and opposing counsel, coordinating discovery, and advising leadership on legal exposure and resolution paths.
• Contract Management
  • Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of contracts, including client agreements, nondisclosure agreements, vendor agreements, referral network and partnership agreements, customer and vendor SaaS agreements, software contracts for Squire Tech, and employment contracts.
  • Ensure contracts comply with applicable laws, professional standards, and firm policies and mitigate legal and other risks to the firm.
  • Interface with Partners and employees to provide advice and support on contracts and agreements.
  • Respond to client-requested engagement terms and track contracts that diverge from the firm?s standard engagement terms.
• Risk Management
  • Own and lead the firm?s Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) initiative, including identification, assessment, and mitigation of risks across the organization.
  • Play a key role on the firm?s Risk Management Committee.
  • Partner with the firm?s professional insurance provider to report potential legal risks and strategize on mitigation measures.
  • Monitor and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations relevant to public accounting firms and wealth advisory practices.
  • Identify and assess potential legal risks and propose risk mitigation strategies.
  • Provide training to employees on legal and compliance issues to foster a culture of compliance and risk awareness.
  • Interface with practice leadership to ensure compliance with professional standards.
  • Develop and oversee compliance programs to prevent legal and ethical violations.
• Data Privacy
  • Play a key role on the Information Security sub-committee and contribute to strategies, policies, and controls to protect firm and client data, including personally identifiable information.
  • Oversee the firm?s compliance with the FTC Safeguards Rule
  • Work with outside counsel to ensure compliance with GDPR, CCPA, and other similar regulatory requirements for data privacy.
  • Interface with customer counsel on client-requested Data Privacy Agreements (DPAs) to seek alignment between customer DPAs, firm controls, and sub processor agreements (where sub processors are part of the technology stack for Squire software licensed to customers).
  • Develop and oversee compliance programs to prevent legal and ethical violations.
• Employment Law
  • Advise on employment law matters, including hiring practices, employee relations, terminations, and workplace policies.
  • Serve as a strategic partner to the Director of Human Resources on employee-related legal issues, internal investigations, and policy development.?
  • Work with outside counsel on specialty issues regarding employment law.
  • Handle employment-related disputes and collaborate with HR on employee-related legal matters.
  • Review and maintain employee contracts, non-solicitation, and other employee agreements.
• Corporate Governance
  • Advise on corporate governance matters and support the Board of Directors and senior management in governance practices.
  • Assist in the preparation of board materials, resolutions, and corporate policies.
  • Maintain corporate records and ensure compliance with corporate formalities and disclosures.
  • Provide legal guidance in any business combinations (M&A), including structuring transactions, negotiating terms, and drafting transactional documents.
  • Provide oversight to firm service offerings that support client compliance with the Corporate Transparency Act, including recording and reporting Beneficial Ownership Interests.

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
• Admission to the Utah State Bar or eligibility for in-house counsel registration in Utah.
• Minimum of 8 years of legal experience in a corporate legal department or law firm; experience supporting public accounting, professional services, or regulated industries preferred.
• Strong understanding of federal, state, and local laws and regulations impacting public accounting firms.
• Demonstrated expertise in legal risk management, contract negotiation, and litigation oversight.
• Expertise in regulations impacting wealth management practices and Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs).
• Excellent analytical, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple complex projects with competing deadlines.
• Expert-level proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams).
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate across departments and influence at all levels.
• High ethical standards, sound judgment, and a commitment to confidentiality and integrity.

Job Status: Full-time Salaried

Work Location: Orem, UT or Salt Lake City, UT

Work Arrangements: In-Office or Hybrid, Majority in Office

Squire Benefits Package

Squire takes pride in offering our benefit-eligible employees a comprehensive benefits package tailored to meet the needs of both individuals and their families. Our benefits program is designed to provide peace of mind and ensure access to quality healthcare. Our 2025 benefits package covers 90% of the medical health premium in addition to the following:

• Medical
• Dental/Vision Plans
• Robust Health Savings Account Match
• Flexible Spending Account
• 401(k) Match
• Employer Paid Short-Term & Longer-Term Disability
• Employer Paid Group Life Insurance Policy
• Accident Insurance Plans
• Employee Assistance Mental Health Services
• Pet Insurance Plans
• Identify Theft Protection Plans

Squire Perks:

• Squire Culture
• Discretionary and Spot Bonus Structure
• Professional Training
• Tuition Reimbursement (for required Master level positions)
• Philanthropic Activities
• Signature Rewards Program
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Women?s Professional Development
• Fitness Reimbursement
• Accrued Paid Time Off
• Health & Wellness Programs

Squire's dedication to excellence and quality work has garnered numerous accolades, including:

• Utah?s Best Company Award ? 8 years running
• 2024 Best Accounting Firm to Work For
• 100 Companies Championing Women Award
• Accounting Today?s ?Firms to Watch? in 2024
• Worksite Wellness Award 2020-2024