Junior Business and Employment Counsel

Who We Are

At our core, we believe in the power of unity and purpose. Together, we stand to produce safe, affordable, and sustainable products that enhances the well-being of all, including medical patients and adult-use communities.

Our mission is to drive responsible growth across every link of our value chain, expanding both vertically and horizontally through innovation, efficiency, and integrity. With a focus on multi-state operations, we're committed to creating meaningful impact for our customers, employees, and communities.

We are guided by our core values, which define how we work and who we are:

• Mutual Trust, Respect, and Dignity in every interaction.
• Best-in-Class Performance with Accountability and Care.
• A Culture of Inclusion that Celebrates Diversity and Belonging.
• A Winning Team Built on Integrity, Collaboration, and Purpose.

Together, we are shaping a responsible and sustainable future - one rooted in quality, compassion, and shared success.

 

What You Do:

The Junior Business and Employment Counsel provides practical legal advice and support on general business, commercial contract, corporate, employment, employee relations, and labor matters across the organization. Working under the direction of senior counsel, this attorney partners with Human Resources, operations, finance, and other business leaders to assess risk, negotiate agreements, guide workplace decisions, support transactions and investigations, and help maintain compliance across multiple states. The successful candidate combines strong legal analysis with clear, business-oriented communication.

 

Job Responsibilities:

• Draft, review, and negotiate vendor, services, confidentiality, consulting, licensing, lease, technology, marketing, and other commercial agreements under appropriate supervision.
• Advise internal clients on contract interpretation, business terms, legal risk, dispute prevention, and compliance obligations.
• Support corporate governance, entity management, licenses and permits, due diligence, acquisitions, integrations, financing support, and other business transactions.
• Assist with privacy, marketing, intellectual property, records retention, insurance, and general regulatory matters affecting business operations.
• Advise Human Resources and management on employee relations matters, including performance management, discipline, separations, workplace complaints, retaliation risks, accommodations, leaves, wage and hour compliance, and policy interpretation.
• Conduct or advise on workplace investigations involving harassment, discrimination, retaliation, misconduct, safety, wage and hour, and other employee concerns.
• Research and analyze federal, Arizona, and other applicable state business, contract, employment, labor, and regulatory laws and translate legal requirements into practical recommendations.
• Draft and review employment agreements, separation documents, policies, notices, investigation findings, disciplinary documents, incentive plans, and related materials.
• Assist with responses to EEOC and state agency charges, NLRB matters, wage claims, OSHA matters, subpoenas, attorney demand letters, and other governmental or legal inquiries.
• Manage assigned claims and disputes in coordination with senior counsel, outside counsel, insurers, Human Resources, and business leaders.
• Identify legal and operational risk, document advice appropriately, and escalate significant matters to senior legal leadership.
• Support labor relations matters, including grievance administration, interpretation of collective bargaining agreements, information requests, bargaining preparation, and union communications.
• Monitor business and employment-law developments and help update contracts, policies, templates, compliance tools, and manager training.
• Deliver clear training and guidance to HR and managers on legal requirements and sound employee relations practices.
• Maintain attorney-client privilege, work-product protections, legal matter files, and required deadlines.
• Perform other related duties and special projects as assigned.

 

Required Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in good standing with the State Bar of Arizona, or eligibility and commitment to obtain Arizona admission within an approved timeframe.
• Up to three years of legal experience involving general business law, commercial contracts, corporate law, employment law, labor law, litigation, or a closely related practice area.
• Foundational knowledge of contract law and corporate legal principles, together with core federal employment laws such as Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FMLA, FLSA, and NLRA.
• Strong legal research, analysis, drafting, negotiation, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to provide timely advice, manage competing priorities, and handle sensitive information with discretion.

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• One to three years of business-law, commercial-contract, corporate, employer-side employment-law, in-house counsel, government, or relevant litigation experience.
• Experience advising a multi-state employer, regulated industry, unionized workforce, or distributed operations.
• Experience with contract negotiation, corporate governance, business transactions, workplace investigations, agency responses, wage and hour matters, or traditional labor matters.
• Admission to practice before applicable federal courts or additional state bars.

 

Core Competencies

• Practical legal judgment and risk assessment
• Contract drafting and negotiation
• Clear and concise legal writing
• Business partnership and responsiveness
• Employee relations and investigation skills
• Professional integrity and confidentiality
• Organization and matter management

 

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

This position primarily performs office and computer-based work. The employee must be able to communicate effectively, analyze detailed information, operate standard office equipment, and remain stationary for extended periods with reasonable opportunities to change position. Travel to company locations, hearings, investigations, or meetings may be required. Reasonable accommodations will be provided as required by law.

 

Additional Information

This job description describes the general nature and level of work expected and is not an exhaustive list of every responsibility. Duties may change based on business and legal needs. Employment is at will unless a written agreement or applicable collective bargaining agreement provides otherwise. Essential Employment Services Inc is an equal opportunity employer.

 

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. The Company reserves the right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position as business needs require.

 

We are committed to providing a safe and inclusive work environment and welcome applicants from all backgrounds to apply. If you have a passion for the cannabis industry and a strong work ethic, we encourage you to submit your application.