Legacy Health—based in Portland, Oregon—seeks a strategic, relationship-oriented legal executive to serve as its Chief Legal Officer (CLO). This is a unique opportunity to join the executive leadership team of a respected, high-quality, integrated healthcare delivery system.
Legacy Health is a nonprofit, community-focused health system comprising six medical centers and more than 80 clinics offering primary care, specialty services, and urgent care. With a dedicated team of over 14,000 employees and 3,000+ healthcare providers serving both urban and rural communities, Legacy plays a vital role in supporting the health and well-being of 2.5 million people throughout the region. Reporting directly to the CEO, the CLO will provide strategic oversight and coordination of all legal services supporting Legacy Health. The CLO will serve as a trusted advisor to the Board of Directors, executive leadership, and senior management teams—offering strategic legal insights that drive meaningful results across the system.
The CLO will lead and develop a talented team of attorneys and legal professionals, assessing the appropriate organizational structure to ensure the department operates with maximum efficiency and impact. A key priority will be building a high-performing, collaborative, and solutions-oriented legal function while streamlining operations and leveraging technology to improve workflows, enhance communication, and deliver strategic value to the organization. Active participation in strategic planning and organizational decision-making is essential, as the CLO plays a key role in aligning legal strategies with Legacy Health’s mission, vision, and long-term objectives.
Success in this role requires quickly building credibility and trust across the organization by demonstrating deep expertise in healthcare operations, governance, and the complex regulatory environment in which Legacy Health operates. The CLO will ensure legal perspectives are seamlessly integrated into enterprise-wide strategies, policies, and initiatives while fostering proactive risk management and operational alignment.
The ideal candidate will be a seasoned, results-oriented legal leader with a proven track record of success in complex healthcare organizations. The successful candidate will possess strong leadership and relationship-building skills with the emotional intelligence to partner effectively across all levels of the organization. They will have outstanding academic credentials, including a law degree from an ABA-accredited law school, and active membership in the Oregon State Bar or eligibility for admission based on reciprocity is required. A minimum of ten years of experience as an attorney supporting hospitals, health systems, or other healthcare providers is required with demonstrated expertise in healthcare regulatory matters, healthcare contracting, physician alignment, healthcare litigation, and healthcare transactions. Prior executive-level leadership experience overseeing legal teams in a dynamic, integrated health system—and success in leveraging technology and operational improvements to enhance departmental performance—is strongly preferred.
This is an exciting opportunity for a forward-thinking legal executive to shape the future of healthcare delivery in partnership with Legacy Health’s mission-driven leadership team.
Please direct all nominations and applications to Jason Petros, Werner Boel, and Wendy Kerschner through the WittKieffer Candidate Portal by clicking the button below. If you have trouble logging into the portal or have any inquiries about the opportunity, please contact us at [email protected].