In-House Counsel – Litigation, Risk Management, and Brand Protection

Overview of the Role

The Law Offices of James L. Arrasmith seeks a driven, meticulous, and battle-tested In-House Counsel to serve as the firm's dedicated legal guardian. This attorney will operate as the internal advocate for the firm itself—protecting its name, its intellectual property, its leadership, and its operations.

The In-House Counsel will assume primary responsibility for all aspects of the firm's legal defense and affirmative enforcement posture, including:

• Drafting and directing cease-and-desist correspondence,
• Preparing and issuing copyright infringement notices,
• Drafting and negotiating demand letters and settlement proposals, and
• Managing and coordinating both offensive and defensive litigation in which the firm, its attorneys, or its interests are implicated.

This position demands a lawyer who combines courtroom toughness with strategic foresight, who writes with precision and force, and who understands that protecting the firm is not a side duty—it is the mission.About The Law Offices of James L. ArrasmithThe Law Offices of James L. Arrasmith, A Professional Corporation, stands as a multi-disciplinary California law firm representing clients across a broad range of legal disciplines. The firm's principal office sits at 5150 Sunrise Boulevard, Suite G1, Fair Oaks, California Led by Owner and Chief Legal Counsel James L. Arrasmith, the firm maintains a high standard of advocacy, professional rigor, and strategic thinking.The In-House Counsel will work directly with firm leadership and will interact with attorneys and staff across practice areas to identify risks early, neutralize threats decisively, and preserve the firm's reputation, autonomy, and operational stability.Core ResponsibilitiesThe In-House Counsel will serve as the central point of responsibility for protecting the firm. Key duties will include, at a minimum:

1. Offensive and Defensive Litigation Management

• Serve as lead or coordinating counsel on litigation and pre-litigation matters where the firm or its principals are parties, witnesses, or central stakeholders.
• Develop and execute litigation strategy in consultation with firm leadership, including risk assessment, cost-benefit analysis, and settlement versus trial evaluation.
• Prepare or oversee the preparation of pleadings, motions, discovery, and appellate filings relating to matters that impact the firm.
• Select, retain, and supervise outside counsel, when necessary, ensuring alignment with the firm's strategic and financial objectives.

• Monitor ongoing matters closely and report material developments to firm leadership with clear recommendations and next steps.

• Brand, Reputation, and Intellectual Property Protection

• Draft and issue cease-and-desist letters to individuals and entities that defame, misappropriate, or otherwise unlawfully exploit the firm's name, likeness, or goodwill.

• Prepare and transmit copyright infringement notices and related enforcement communications to platforms, publishers, or infringing parties.
• Develop and maintain standardized templates for enforcement correspondence, ensuring consistency, clarity, and maximum legal effect.

• Monitor and respond to online and offline misuse of the firm's branding, written work product, and other intellectual property.

• Demand Letters, Settlements, and Pre-Litigation Strategy

• Draft demand letters, settlement offers, and pre-litigation proposals on behalf of the firm in disputes related to contracts, employment, intellectual property, defamation, harassment, or other issues affecting the firm's operations or reputation.

• Conduct factual investigations into claims, reviewing documents, interviewing relevant witnesses, and gathering evidence necessary to support the firm's positions.

• Engage in settlement negotiations with adverse parties and their counsel, always advancing the firm's strategic and reputational interests.

• Internal Risk Management and Compliance

• Identify and assess legal risks arising from the firm's operations, including employment matters, vendor relationships, technology platforms, and client-facing collateral.

• Draft, review, and refine internal policies, procedures, disclaimers, and notices to reduce exposure and ensure compliance with applicable law, ethical rules, and regulatory obligations.
• Advise firm leadership on employment-related risk, including policies, disputes, and responses to claims or demands directed at the firm or its management.

• Collaborate with firm management to ensure that contracts and engagements with vendors, consultants, and third parties adequately protect the firm's interests.

• Strategic Advisory Role to Firm Leadership

• Provide direct counsel to James L. Arrasmith and firm leadership on high-impact issues, including reputational threats, sensitive disputes, and complex risk scenarios.

• Prepare clear, concise memoranda and strategic briefs outlining legal options, risk profiles, and recommended courses of action.
• Serve as a trusted internal strategist, capable of seeing several moves ahead, anticipating threats, and crafting proactive legal responses.

Required QualificationsThe ideal candidate will possess the following minimum qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Active license to practice law in the State of California, in good standing.
• 3–7+ years of substantive litigation experience, preferably including civil, business, IP, defamation, or employment-related disputes.
• Demonstrated experience drafting cease-and-desist letters, demand letters, and litigation pleadings, with a proven record of clear, forceful, and precise written advocacy.
• Strong familiarity with California and federal civil procedure, evidentiary rules, and motion practice.
• Exceptional legal research and writing skills, with the ability to translate complex issues into decisive, action-oriented guidance.

Preferred Experience and AttributesWhile not strictly required, the following will distinguish a candidate:

• Experience handling defamation, harassment, online reputation, or content-removal matters.
• Experience with copyright and intellectual property enforcement, including DMCA takedowns or platform-based infringement procedures.
• Experience in employment law defense and employment-related matters.
• Background in professional liability, law firm risk management, or legal ethics.
• Prior in-house role or experience working closely with organizational leadership on sensitive, high-stakes matters.
• Demonstrated ability to operate with discretion, loyalty, and a high tolerance for complexity and conflict.

Core CompetenciesThis role requires a particular type of attorney—analytical, decisive, and unafraid of conflict. The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Strategic Judgment: Ability to rapidly assess a situation, identify leverage points, and design a clear legal response.
• Verbal and Written Force: Capacity to communicate in writing and in person with precision, authority, and clarity.
• Ownership Mentality: Willingness to assume full responsibility for matters affecting the firm and to drive them to resolution.
• Professional Courage: Readiness to confront difficult issues, adversarial parties, and high-pressure situations without hesitation.
• Discretion and Loyalty: Absolute commitment to confidentiality, internal cohesion, and the protection of the firm's leadership and staff.

Compensation and Work Environment

• Compensation: Competitive and commensurate with experience and demonstrated capability.
• Work Setting: Position based out of the firm's Fair Oaks, California office, with day-to-day engagement with firm leadership and staff.
• Support: Access to administrative and legal support staff as appropriate to the scope of assigned matters.

Specific details regarding benefits, schedule, and additional firm policies will be discussed during the interview process.How to Apply

Interested candidates shall submit the following:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Résumé,
• Thoughtful cover letter describing:
• Relevant litigation and enforcement experience,
• Experience with cease-and-desist and demand correspondence, and
• A brief description (without confidential details) of one or two matters where you protected an organization, principal, or brand;
• One to two writing samples (e.g., a redacted motion, brief, or demand letter that reflects your advocacy style).

Please send application materials via email to

:Email:

Subject Line: "Application – In-House Counsel (Firm Protection)"Candidates who possess the intellect, rigor, and resolve to assume that responsibility are encouraged to apply.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $100, $155,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person