Principal Legal Counsel

Summary

Join Deel and help establish and maintain an Arizona-based ABS (Alternative Business Structure) immigration law firm. As the Designated Principal and Compliance Officer, you will ensure the firm's compliance with Arizona Supreme Court rules and ethical obligations. Responsibilities include overseeing corporate governance, liaising with regulatory bodies, developing internal policies, providing strategic legal support, and conducting internal audits. You will collaborate with Deel Group leadership and various internal teams to ensure alignment with global and local standards. This role requires a strong legal background, experience in compliance and corporate governance, and a deep understanding of ABS structures. The position offers the opportunity to contribute significantly to the growth of a rapidly expanding company.

Requirements

• Active license to practice law in the State of Arizona in good standing with a bachelor's degree in law (J.D. or equivalent) from an accredited institution
• Minimum 8+ years of experience as a practising attorney, preferably with direct exposure to compliance, corporate governance, and immigration law
• Demonstrated experience with ABS business structures and a clear understanding of the Arizona regulatory framework for alternative legal service entities
• Willingness and eligibility to be formally appointed as Designated Principal and Compliance Lawyer under Arizona ABS requirements
• Proven leadership experience in regulatory compliance, professional responsibility, and law firm governance
• Strong proficiency with legal operations and corporate tools (e.g., Salesforce, Jira, Looker)
• Deep understanding of legal risk, ethical duties, and the management of regulated legal entities
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent organizational, time-management, and analytical capabilities
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a remote-first, fast-paced environment
• High level of discretion and judgment, particularly with regard to regulatory and ethical decision-making

Responsibilities

• Assist the Deel Group with setting up and maintaining an Arizona-based ABS (Alternative Business Structure) immigration law firm
• Act as Designated Principal and Compliance Officer for the new firm
• Maintain overall legal and regulatory responsibility for the firm’s compliance with the Arizona Supreme Court’s ABS rules and ethical obligations
• Serve as the firm’s licensed Arizona attorney, ensuring day-to-day compliance with all relevant state bar requirements, legal practice rules, and professional standards
• Oversee the firm’s corporate governance, including licensing, regulatory reporting, and risk management frameworks
• Liaise regularly with the Arizona Supreme Court and State Bar of Arizona, ensuring timely responses to all regulatory inquiries and filings
• Collaborate with senior Deel Group leadership to develop and maintain internal policies and procedures that uphold professional and operational compliance standards
• Provide strategic legal support on ABS-related structuring, operational setup, and ongoing compliance management
• Support the launch and growth of the immigration law firm, including advising on business processes, operational integrity, and ethical law practice
• Work closely with the Deel Group Legal and Compliance departments, ensuring the ABS firm's practices align with global standards and local regulatory requirements
• Conduct internal audits, risk assessments, and training sessions to promote legal and ethical best practices within the firm
• Serve as a liaison between Deel Group business units and the ABS firm, enabling cross-functional legal support while maintaining ethical boundaries and independence as required under ABS regulations
• Monitor and interpret evolving regulatory developments in Arizona affecting ABS entities and immigration practice areas, updating internal stakeholders accordingly
• Identify and manage legal risks, offering practical and compliant solutions to business and regulatory challenges
• Collaborate with internal teams such as Finance, HR, Operations, and Product to align the firm’s operational model with state and group-wide compliance standards

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in immigration law or a regulated legal service environment
• Experience working within or alongside legal tech companies or innovative legal business models
• Familiarity with international teams and managing across multiple jurisdictions and time zones

Benefits

• Stock grant opportunities dependent on your role, employment status and location
• Additional perks and benefits based on your employment status and country
• The flexibility of remote work, including optional WeWork access