Role Overview for Chief Legal Officer with a PE-backed Services Co. – Dallas, TX
JRG Partners is proud to conduct an exclusive executive search on behalf of our client, a rapidly expanding and highly acquisitive services company backed by a prominent private equity firm. Located in the vibrant business hub of Dallas, Texas, our client is at a pivotal stage of its growth trajectory, focused on strategic expansion through both organic initiatives and aggressive M&A activity. We are seeking a seasoned, business-minded, and strategic Chief Legal Officer (CLO) to join their executive leadership team and play a critical role in navigating the company through its next phase of value creation and an eventual successful exit.
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the CLO will serve as the primary legal advisor to the company, its senior management, and its Board of Directors. This is not a traditional, back-office legal role; it is a strategic business partnership that requires a deep understanding of the unique demands and velocity of a private equity environment. The ideal candidate will be a pragmatic and hands-on leader, capable of managing all aspects of the company’s legal affairs while providing insightful counsel that balances business objectives with risk mitigation. You will be instrumental in shaping corporate strategy, driving M&A transactions from inception to integration, and building a scalable legal infrastructure that can support accelerated growth. This position demands a professional with exceptional legal acumen, a strong commercial mindset, and the proven ability to thrive in a dynamic, results-oriented culture. The CLO will be a key steward of the company’s integrity, ensuring robust corporate governance and a culture of compliance are embedded throughout the organization.
The successful candidate will be responsible for building and leading a lean, high-performing legal function, managing external counsel relationships and budgets effectively, and acting as a true cross-functional collaborator with finance, operations, HR, and business development teams. Your expertise will be crucial in navigating complex commercial contracts, managing litigation, protecting intellectual property, and ensuring compliance with a myriad of regulations. This is a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on a high-growth enterprise and share in the success you help create through a substantial equity stake.
Key Responsibilities of Chief Legal Officer with a PE-backed Services Co. – Dallas, TX
The Chief Legal Officer will have a broad and impactful mandate, overseeing all legal functions of the organization. Your duties will be diverse and critical to the company’s success, requiring both strategic oversight and hands-on execution. Key responsibilities include:
Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) Leadership
Spearhead all legal aspects of the company’s aggressive M&A strategy. This includes structuring transactions, leading legal due diligence efforts, drafting and negotiating letters of intent (LOIs), definitive purchase agreements, and all ancillary transaction documents. You will manage external M&A counsel efficiently and oversee the seamless legal integration of acquired businesses to realize synergies and mitigate post-closing risks.
Corporate Governance and Board Advisory
Serve as the Corporate Secretary, advising the Board of Directors and its committees on their fiduciary duties and corporate governance best practices. You will be responsible for preparing board materials, managing board meetings, drafting minutes, and ensuring compliance with the company’s charter, bylaws, and all relevant laws.
Commercial Contracting and Negotiations
Oversee the drafting, review, and negotiation of a wide array of complex commercial agreements. This includes major client and vendor contracts, partnership and joint venture agreements, technology licensing agreements, and real estate leases. You will be expected to develop and implement standardized templates, contracting policies, and a robust contract management system to streamline processes and manage risk.
Litigation and Dispute Resolution Management
Proactively manage and oversee all litigation, claims, and disputes involving the company. This includes developing case strategy, managing external litigation counsel, responding to subpoenas and discovery requests, and negotiating settlements. The goal is to resolve disputes in a cost-effective and commercially sensible manner while protecting the company’s interests.
Compliance and Regulatory Oversight
Design, implement, and manage a comprehensive corporate compliance program to ensure the company operates in full compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. This includes developing policies and training programs related to data privacy (e.g., CCPA/CPRA), anti-bribery (FCPA), and other relevant areas. You will monitor the regulatory landscape for changes that may impact the business.
Risk Management Strategy
Develop and lead the enterprise-wide risk management function. This involves identifying, assessing, and mitigating legal, regulatory, and business risks across the organization. You will also oversee the company’s corporate insurance programs, ensuring appropriate coverage is in place to protect company assets.
Labor and Employment Counsel
Provide expert legal advice to the HR department and senior leadership on a full range of employment law issues, including employee relations, performance management, terminations, wage and hour compliance, discrimination and harassment claims, and non-competition agreements.
Intellectual Property Management
Oversee the company’s intellectual property portfolio, including trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. You will be responsible for developing strategies to protect and leverage these valuable assets.
Legal Department Leadership
Build, mentor, and lead the internal legal team. You will be responsible for departmental budgeting, resource allocation, and the strategic management of external counsel to ensure high-quality, cost-effective legal services.
Requirements for the Chief Legal Officer with a PE-backed Services Co. – Dallas, TX
The ideal candidate for this role is a proven legal executive with substantial experience in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment. We are seeking a professional who combines deep legal expertise with a practical, business-first approach. The specific qualifications and attributes required include:
Education and Bar Admission
A Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an ABA-accredited law school is required. Must be an active member in good standing of at least one U.S. state bar, with the ability to become admitted in Texas or otherwise authorized to practice as in-house counsel in the state.
Professional Experience
A minimum of 15 years of progressive legal experience, ideally beginning with training at a top-tier national law firm followed by significant in-house leadership roles. Direct experience as a General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, or Chief Legal Officer is strongly preferred.
Private Equity Environment Expertise
Demonstrable, hands-on experience working within a private equity-backed portfolio company is a critical requirement. Candidates must understand the speed, metrics, and exit-oriented mindset that define these environments.
M&A Transactional Acumen
Extensive, first-chair experience leading a high volume of M&A transactions is essential. You must have a proven track record of successfully navigating the entire deal lifecycle, from due diligence and negotiation to closing and integration.
Broad Legal Knowledge
A comprehensive background across a wide range of legal disciplines is necessary, including corporate governance, commercial law, litigation management, employment law, and regulatory compliance. Experience within a services-based industry is highly advantageous.
Business and Financial Acumen
The ability to quickly grasp complex business issues, understand financial statements, and provide pragmatic, risk-weighted legal advice that aligns with strategic objectives. You must be a strategic thinker who can contribute beyond the traditional legal function.
Leadership and Communication Skills
Exceptional interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills. You must be able to articulate complex legal concepts clearly and concisely to non-lawyers, including the executive team and Board of Directors. Proven ability to lead, manage, and develop a legal team is required.
Personal Attributes
High ethical standards, impeccable integrity, and strong professional judgment. A proactive, self-motivated, and solutions-oriented individual who is comfortable with ambiguity and can manage multiple high-priority projects simultaneously.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client is committed to attracting and retaining top-tier talent and offers a highly competitive and compelling compensation and benefits package, designed to reward performance and long-term value creation. The package includes:
Competitive Base Salary
A highly competitive annual base salary commensurate with experience.
Annual Performance Bonus
A significant annual cash bonus opportunity tied to both individual and company performance metrics.
Meaningful Equity Participation
A substantial equity grant, providing the opportunity to share directly in the value created during the private equity ownership period and participate in a lucrative exit event.
Comprehensive Health and Wellness Benefits
A full suite of benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your dependents.
Retirement Savings Plan
A 401(k) plan with a generous company matching contribution to help you save for the future.
Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
A flexible and generous PTO policy, in addition to company-paid holidays, to support work-life balance.
Professional Development
Support for continuing legal education (CLE), professional memberships, and other development opportunities to ensure you stay at the forefront of your field.
Relocation Assistance
A comprehensive relocation package is available for the exceptional candidate who is not currently based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
How to Apply
JRG Partners has been exclusively retained to manage this critical search. We are seeking a transformative legal leader to help guide our client to its next level of success. If you possess the requisite experience and are eager to take on a challenging and rewarding role in a dynamic, private equity-backed environment, we encourage you to apply.
To be considered for this pivotal role, please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience through our Legal & Compliance Executive Search Practice page. All inquiries and applications will be held in the strictest confidence. We look forward to reviewing your qualifications.
