General Counsel (Fractional)

About the role

This fractional role at Sleep Doctor requires a General Counsel to oversee all legal and compliance activities for the company's brands, which include SleepDoctor.com, SleepFoundation.org, and SleepApnea.org. The position involves establishing and maintaining a robust compliance program covering DME, telehealth, and digital health operations. The successful candidate will act as the Compliance Officer, developing policies, conducting audits, and ensuring the business adheres to evolving federal and state regulatory requirements.

A significant part of the role focuses on healthcare regulatory matters, particularly those related to telehealth platforms and Durable Medical Equipment (DME) supply and billing, including CMS, Medicare, and Medicaid guidelines. The General Counsel will advise on licensure across all 50 states and ensure new care delivery models remain compliant. Additionally, the role involves leading enterprise-wide HIPAA compliance, managing Business Associate Agreements, handling PHI/PII, and overseeing state-specific privacy laws like CCPA, collaborating with technology and product teams on privacy-by-design initiatives.

Beyond regulatory and compliance, the General Counsel will manage commercial and employment law aspects, negotiating key contracts and serving as the primary resource for employment law issues. This includes partnering with HR on hiring, policies, and employee relations. The role also provides legal support for strategic partnerships, including government programs, advising on deal structuring and contract negotiation to support growth initiatives. This position is designed to expand as the company scales, offering meaningful ownership and visibility within the organization.

The listed salary range of $80,500 to $138,000 USD is for a fractional role, based on an hourly rate of $300-350 for 20-30 hours per week.

Skills that matter here

• J.D. from an accredited law school; active bar in at least one U.S. jurisdiction: This foundational requirement ensures the candidate is legally qualified to practice law in the United States.
• 10+ years of legal experience (in-house or law firm) in healthcare law: Extensive experience in healthcare law is crucial for navigating the complex regulatory landscape relevant to Sleep Doctor's operations.
• Deep DME regulatory expertise (Medicare/Medicaid billing and compliance): This expertise is essential for managing legal and compliance matters related to Durable Medical Equipment supply and billing.
• Hands-on telehealth regulatory experience across multiple states: Experience with telehealth regulations is vital for ensuring compliance as the company expands its digital health services across various jurisdictions.
• Proven track record building/running a compliance program: The role requires the ability to design, implement, and continuously improve a comprehensive compliance framework for the organization.
• Comprehensive HIPAA/PHI/PII knowledge: In-depth understanding of data privacy laws is critical for leading enterprise-wide compliance and managing sensitive health information.

Who this role suits

• A lawyer who thrives in an autonomous environment and can operate effectively in a startup or scaling company.
• Someone with a strong background in healthcare law, particularly with DME and telehealth regulations.
• An individual who can strategically reduce reliance on external legal counsel through their in-house expertise.
• A professional who enjoys building and improving compliance programs from the ground up.

From the employer

Compliance Program Leadership

• Design, implement, and continuously improve a comprehensive compliance program spanning DME, telehealth, and digital health operations.
• Act as Compliance Officer, maintaining policies, procedures, and training across the business.
• Conduct and oversee internal compliance audits; manage regulatory inquiries or investigations.
• Monitor evolving federal/state regulatory requirements and translate into operational guidance.

Healthcare Regulatory

• Manage legal/regulatory matters related to telehealth platform and DME supply/billing (CMS/Medicare, Medicaid, state requirements).
• Advise on licensure across all 50 states; ensure care delivery models remain compliant as the business evolves.
• Collaborate with clinical/operations teams.

Data Privacy & Security

• Lead HIPAA compliance enterprise-wide, manage Business Associate Agreements, PHI/PII handling, breach response, workforce training; oversee state privacy laws (CCPA, Washington My Health My Data Act, etc.); partner with tech/product on privacy-by-design.

Commercial & Employment Law

• Negotiate/manage key commercial contracts with minimal outside counsel; serve as first-line employment law resource; partner with HR on hiring, separation, policy, employee relations.
• Support governance matters with CFO/executive team (board materials, delegation of authority).

Strategic Partnership & BD Support

• Provide legal support on strategic partnerships (government/federal programs like VA); advise on deal structuring, term sheets, and contract negotiation for growth initiatives.

Required:

• J.D. from an accredited law school; active bar in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• 10+ years of legal experience (in-house or law firm) in healthcare law.
• Deep DME regulatory expertise (Medicare/Medicaid billing and compliance).
• Hands-on telehealth regulatory experience across multiple states.
• Proven track record building/running a compliance program.
• Comprehensive HIPAA/PHI/PII knowledge.
• Ability to operate independently in a startup or scaling environment.
• Demonstrated reduction of outside counsel spend.

Strongly Preferred:

• Experience in digital health/health tech; familiarity with FTC health-claims regulations; experience supporting government program partnerships (VA, CMS); prior fractional/embedded/sole in-house counsel experience.

Why Sleep Doctor

• Mission-driven company with real clinical impact; supportive executive team valuing substance over process.
• Opportunity to grow with the organization; role is built to expand as the company scales.
• Flexible fractional structure with meaningful ownership and visibility.
• Compensation: $300-350/hour | 20-30 hours/week; potential to grow into broader role.