Principal Legal Counsel

Who we are is what we do.

Deel is the all-in-one payroll and HR platform for global teams. Our vision is to unlock global opportunity for every person, team, and business. Built for the way the world works today, Deel combines HRIS, payroll, compliance, benefits, performance, and equipment management into one seamless platform. With AI-powered tools and a fully owned payroll infrastructure, Deel supports every worker type in 150+ countries—helping businesses scale smarter, faster, and more compliantly.

Among the largest globally distributed companies in the world, our team of 6,000 spans more than 100 countries, speaks 74 languages, and brings a connected and dynamic culture that drives continuous learning and innovation for our customers.

Why should you be part of our success story?

As the fastest-growing Software as a Service (SaaS) company in history, Deel is transforming how global talent connects with world-class companies – breaking down borders that have traditionally limited both hiring and career opportunities. We're not just building software; we're creating the infrastructure for the future of work, enabling a more diverse and inclusive global economy. In 2024 alone, we paid $11.2 billion to workers in nearly 100 currencies and provided healthcare and benefits to workers in 109 countries—ensuring people get paid and protected, no matter where they are.

Our momentum is reflected in our achievements and customer satisfaction: CNBC Disruptor 50, Forbes Cloud 100, Deloitte Fast 500, and repeated recognition on Y Combinator’s top companies list – all while maintaining a 4.83 average rating from 15,000 reviews across G2, Trustpilot, Captera, Apple and Google.

Your experience at Deel will be a career accelerator. At the forefront of the global work revolution, you'll tackle complex challenges that impact millions of people's working lives. With our momentum—backed by a $12 billion valuation and $1 B in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) in just over five years—you'll drive meaningful impact while building expertise that makes you a sought-after leader in the transformation of global work.

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.

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.

Desired Skills:

• 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.

Total Rewards

Our workforce deserves fair and competitive pay that meets them where they are. With scalable benefits, rewards, and perks, our total rewards programs reflect our commitment to inclusivity and access for all.

Some things you’ll enjoy

• 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

At Deel, we’re an equal-opportunity employer that values diversity and positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of race, religion, sex, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, pregnancy or maternity or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

*Unless otherwise agreed, we will communicate with job applicants using Deel-specific emails, which include @deel.com and other acquired company emails like @payspace.com and @paygroup.com. You can view the most up-to-date job listings at Deel by visiting our careers page.

Deel is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive workplace that reflects different abilities, backgrounds, beliefs, experiences, identities and perspectives.

Deel will provide accommodation on request throughout the recruitment, selection and assessment process for applicants with disabilities. If you require accommodation, please inform our Talent Acquisition Team at recruiting@deel.com of the nature of the accommodation that you may require, to ensure your equal participation.*

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