Senior Legal Counsel (Employment)

Long Beach, CAfull timeOn Sitesenior$164k–$232kH1B: no

Vast The Senior Legal Counsel (Employment) at Vast serves as the primary legal advisor on employment law matters and leads employment-law strategy and compliance. This role advises on workplace policies, manages risk, and supports scalable people operations.

Responsibilities

Advice & Counseling
Serve as the primary legal advisor to the People Team and all business units on the full range of employment law matters, CA wage and hour, PAGA, hiring, performance management, accommodations (ADA/ADAAA), leaves of absence (FMLA/state equivalents), compensation and pay equity, contingent workforce (e.g., staffing companies; temp/seasonal employees), and terminations.
Provide real-time, practical, and business-oriented counsel on employee relations issues — escalations, disciplinary actions, PIPs, workplace complaints, and sensitive personnel situations.
Advise on multi-state employment law compliance, keeping guidance current as laws change, and AI-use implications in the workplace.
Provide guidance and counsel to employment matters pertaining to Vast global entities.
Policies, Handbooks & Compliance
Partner with the People team to draft, review, revise, and maintain employment policies and employee handbooks to ensure legal compliance, internal consistency, and alignment with company culture.
Monitor and translate new and evolving federal, state, and local employment legislation, regulations, and agency guidance into actionable policy updates and business recommendations.

Qualification

Strong verbal and writing skillsProcess-oriented and team playerAdditional RequirementsAbility to travel up to 15% of the timeWillingness to work overtime

Required

5+ years of experience in a legal role at a private company or law firm.
Subject matter expertise in employment law at a start-up technology or high growth organization.
JD with admission to practice law in a state bar in good standing and able to practice in-house in California.
Familiarity with contingent workforce (e.g. staffing companies; temp/seasonal employees).