Deputy General Counsel, Litigation & Risk

Deputy General Counsel, Litigation & Risk

Zum is a rapidly expanding Series E startup backed by Sequoia Capital, Soft Bank, Spark Capital, and GIC, with a bold mission to transform the school transportation industry. We are operating in over 15 states across the United States with flagship hubs in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Seattle, and we are expanding to the East Coast and Midwest. As a technology-driven company, we deploy cutting-edge solutions to manage and operate school district transportation systems while also launching our own charter platform and developing proprietary SaaS offerings.

We are spearheading a nationwide initiative to electrify school transportation fleets, and support local utilities by feeding energy back into the grid. Zum has been recognized as a CNBC 50 disruptor, and among Financial Times 500 fastest growing companies and Fast Company World Changing Ideas.

We are seeking a highly skilled and proactive Deputy General Counsel with a strong background in litigation and risk management to join our team. Reporting to the General Counsel, this role will direct and manage litigation and risk management strategies aligned with Zum’s business strategy, culture, and values. The ideal candidate will be a commercially minded and strategically agile legal professional who can proactively contribute to Zum’s business goals while ensuring compliance and risk mitigation in a dynamic regulatory environment.

Responsibilities

• Litigation Management:
Proactively manage a diverse litigation caseload from inception to conclusion, including matters involving commercial auto, personal injury, and employment matters in multiple jurisdictions and forums.

• Conduct comprehensive legal research and analysis pertaining to transportation laws, regulations, and standards, with a focus on federal and state guidelines impacting school transportation.

• Manage a litigation budget and oversee outside counsel; work with insurance carriers and third-party claims administrators to manage claims.

• Represent the company in arbitrations and mediations.

• Negotiate settlements and other agreements on behalf of the company with strong advocacy and negotiation skills.

• Prepare case analysis reports for stakeholders and develop proactive resolution strategies to mitigate financial and reputational impacts.

• Monitor evolving civil litigation trends and reform across the U.S. that affect the transportation industry.

• Collaborate cross-functionally to develop and implement plans to reduce accident likelihood, mitigate liability, and lessen litigation exposure.

• Work with internal departments (operations, safety, and human resources) on safety protocols and regulatory guidelines.

• Provide guidance on labor relations matters, including representation before the National Labor Relations Board.

• Ensure compliance with regulatory standards governing school transportation.

• Maintain the company’s intellectual property portfolio and monitor for potential infringement.

• Advise on and implement strategies to manage data privacy and security risks related to student and employee data.

• Stay informed about industry developments, regulatory changes, and legal precedents relevant to the business and contribute to long-term business goals.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA-accredited law school.

• Admission to practice law in California.

• 15+ years of litigation experience in private practice and/or litigation management roles for companies. General casualty and/or employment litigation experience preferred.

• Experience working with a union-represented workforce is strongly preferred.

• Superior analytical skills to assess legal risks within a commercial context and provide pragmatic solutions.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to explain complex legal concepts to non-legal stakeholders clearly and concisely.

• Sophisticated technical skills relevant to legal practice and data management.

• Strategic thinking with the ability to link legal issues to long-term business goals and balance daily tasks with big-picture considerations.

• High agility and adaptability to respond to regulatory shifts…