Senior Counsel, Litigation

About the RoleGopuff is seeking a Senior Counsel, Employment & Litigation to join our Legal team at a pivotal moment in the company’s growth. This role will report to the VP, Legal and have significant exposure to the General Counsel and senior leadership on important, high-impact matters.The Senior Counsel will take meaningful ownership of the day-to-day management and strategy of the company’s litigation docket and employment counseling, including advising on independent contractor compliance and related workforce issues, while also having the opportunity to work across a range of legal areas, including commercial contracting, product counseling, and other strategic initiatives that support a fast-moving, consumer-facing business.This is a highly visible role for a self-starter who thrives with autonomy, values real responsibility, and is motivated by the opportunity to meaningfully accelerate professional growth by building the breadth of experience, judgment, and business partnership skills foundational to senior legal leadership roles.Why This RoleThis role offers end-to-end ownership of the litigation function and core employment matters, significant visibility, and exposure to complex and evolving legal issues in a fast-moving business. For the right candidate, it provides an opportunity to accelerate professional growth, develop broad legal judgment, expand into generalist legal areas over time, and make a tangible impact while working alongside a collaborative and high-performing Legal team.Culture & TeamThis is a lean, collaborative Legal team that values ownership, accountability, and sound judgment. Team members are trusted to operate independently, take initiative, and deliver high-quality work in a fast-paced environment. We work closely together, support one another, and hold ourselves to high standards, with an emphasis on thoughtful execution, clear communication, and professionalism. This team is built for lawyers who take pride in their work, want to be deeply engaged in the business, and are motivated by responsibility, impact, and continuous growth. Employment & Commercial Litigation OwnershipOwn and lead the company’s full litigation docket, including a substantial employment litigation portfolio and responsibility for all commercial and other litigation mattersServe as lead in-house counsel on litigation matters, owning strategy from intake through resolution and directing outside counsel on case posture, discovery, motion practice, settlement strategy, and outcomesHandle appropriate matters directly in-house, including pre-litigation disputes, demand responses, and settlement negotiations, while exercising sound judgment on when to engage outside counselAct as the primary internal point of contact for litigated matters, coordinating closely with internal stakeholdersPartner closely with the VP, Legal on significant, complex, or high-risk matters, escalating issues and aligning on strategy as appropriateEmployment Counseling & Gig Economy Workforce MattersProvide practical, business-oriented employment counseling to HR, Operations, and other stakeholders on day-to-day matters, including performance management, investigations, accommodations, leaves, terminations, wage-and-hour, and compliance issuesAdvise the business on independent contractor and gig economy workforce issues, including classification, policy development, risk assessment, and evolving legal requirements, in partnership with cross-functional stakeholdersPartner with business leaders to deliver timely, actionable guidance that balances legal risk with operational needsLitigation Portfolio Strategy & ManagementOwn the strategic and operational management of the litigation function, ensuring matters across the docket are appropriately prioritized, resourced, and aligned with business objectivesManage outside counsel relationships, including selection, scoping, performance management, and cost controlPartner with the VP, Legal on litigation budgets, forecasting, and spend management, supporting thoughtful allocation of resources and cost disciplineDevelop and maintain litigation data, analytics, and reporting, in collaboration with the VP, Legal, to provide regular updates and insights to the General Counsel and senior leadershipIdentify trends, systemic risks, and recurring issues across the docket and drive preventative and risk-mitigation strategiesHelp build and refine litigation processes, playbooks, and reporting to support informed decision-making and leadership visibilityBroader Legal & Generalist WorkSupport commercial contracting and other business agreements as needed, applying sound legal and business judgment to manage risk in partnership with cross-functional teamsProvide product and operational counseling on new initiatives, features, and evolving business models, in partnership with cross-functional stakeholdersCollaborate with senior legal leadership on high-impact and novel matters, including regulatory, litigation, and strategic issues in the gig economy and independent contractor spaceTake ownership of discrete projects from inception through execution, often helping build structure or process in evolving areas of the businessWho You Are5–10+ years of relevant legal experienceStrong preference for candidates with significant litigation experience, including employment litigation, combined with employment counseling experienceDemonstrated ability to manage matters independently and supervise outside counselExperience managing multiple litigation matters simultaneously and exercising sound judgment around prioritization, escalation, and resource allocationExperience with independent contractor, gig economy, or worker classification issues is a plusExposure to additional practice areas (e.g., commercial contracts, corporate, real estate, product, or regulatory) is highly valuedWe recognize this role spans multiple areas of practice. Candidates may come from a primarily employment litigation background or a primarily commercial litigation background, and we are open to strong litigators who are excited to build depth across both. While experience with employment law and counseling is highly valued, we are equally focused on judgment, ownership mindset, and the ability to learn new areas quickly.We are also open to exceptional candidates from broader corporate or generalist backgrounds who bring strong legal judgment, demonstrated ownership mindset, and meaningful exposure to litigation basics, and who are excited to lean into a litigation-heavy role with appropriate support and mentorship.Regardless of background, this role requires comfort owning complex matters, working closely with outside counsel, and exercising sound judgment on litigation strategy and risk.How You WorkA self-starter who identifies issues and takes initiativeHighly organized, communicative, and effective at managing multiple workstreams with minimal oversightResourceful, pragmatic, and solutions-oriented, with strong judgment and follow-throughComfortable operating in ambiguity and building structure where neededBusiness-minded and able to translate legal risk into clear, actionable guidanceCollaborative, team-oriented, and supportive of colleaguesQualificationsJD from an accredited law schoolAdmitted and in good standing with at least one U.S. state barHybrid position with 3 days in office at our Spring Garden HQCompensationGopuff pays employees based on market pricing and pay may vary depending on your location. The salary range below reflects what we’d reasonably expect to pay candidates. A candidate’s starting pay will be determined based on job-related skills, experience, qualifications, interview performance, and market conditions. These ranges may be modified in the future. Exceptions may be made for exceptional individuals. For additional information on this role’s compensation package, please reach out to the designated recruiter for this role.This role is eligible for a discretionary annual cash bonus and participation in Gopuff’s equity incentive plan.Base Salary Range: $180,000 - $225,000Benefits OverviewMedical/Dental/Vision Insurance 401(k) Retirement Savings PlanHSA or FSA eligibilityLong and Short-Term Disability InsuranceMental Health BenefitsFitness Reimbursement Program25% employee discount & FAM MembershipFlexible PTOGroup Life InsuranceEAP through AllOne Health (formerly Carebridge)The only predictable thing about life is that it’s wildly unpredictable. That’s where we come in. When life does what it does best, customers turn to Gopuff to deliver their everyday essentials, and to get through their day & night, work day and weekend. We’re assembling a team of thinkers, dreamers & risk-takers...the kind of people who know the value of peace of mind in an unpredictable world. (And people who love snacks.)Like what you’re hearing? Welcome to Gopuff.#LI-GOPUFFThe Gopuff Fam is committed to an inclusive workplace where we do not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, gender, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or familial status, age, ancestry, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. We believe in diversity and encourage any qualified individual to apply. We are an equal employment opportunity employer.PI263bcc8eb05f-30511-39436022