Senior Director of Litigation & Employment Counsel

Join Handshake, a leading company in the field of decentralized identity and credentialing. As the Senior Director of Litigation & Employment Counsel, you will build and lead the litigation and employment function from the ground up, reporting directly to the General Counsel. You will define how Handshake manages dispute and employment risk, partner with various teams across the company, and serve as the in-house employment expert. This role offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, mental health support, 401k match, equity, and flexible time off.

• Definir y liderar la estrategia de litigio de la empresa, gestionando el inventario de litigios de manera integral.
• Colaborar con equipos multifuncionales para proporcionar orientación legal práctica y calibrada al riesgo en cuestiones relacionadas con el empleo y el litigio.
• Actuar como experto interno en empleo, asesorando al equipo de Recursos Humanos y a los gerentes en diversas áreas relacionadas con el empleo.
• Hands-on litigation experience across commercial, employment, and platform disputes, including first-chair trial or arbitration experience
• Strong grounding in worker classification law and compliance strategy for gig and contractor populations at scale
• JD and active bar membership in at least one U.S. state (California admission or registration eligibility)
• Exceptional judgment and communication skills, with genuine interest in the legal questions shaping the future of work
• Deep employment law expertise: wage and hour, leaves and accommodations, investigations, agency practice (EEOC, DFEH/CRD)
• Track record advising Product, Engineering, and Operations on platform and marketplace legal questions
• 12+ years combined law firm and in-house experience at a high-growth tech, gig platform, or marketplace company
• Experience as the first or early litigation/employment hire at a high-growth company
• Familiarity with two-sided platform or marketplace businesses, including platform liability and trust & safety issues