Human Resources Compliance Specialist

The Human Resources (HR) Compliance Specialist is an exempt position responsible for ensuring the Firm’s compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws across all U.S. locations, as well as supporting the Firm’s HIPAA compliance obligations as both a Business Associate and a Covered Entity. This role proactively monitors legislative changes, audits internal practices, maintains compliant policies and documentation, and partners with HR leadership to mitigate risk. The HR Compliance Specialist serves as a subject matter resource on employment compliance matters, and supports the consistent application of policies, handbooks, and regulatory requirements firmwide.

Essential Duties

Employment Compliance

• Monitor and interpret federal, state, and local employment laws and regulatory updates across all jurisdictions in which the Firm operates.
• Assess impact of legislative changes and recommend updates to policies, handbooks, and procedures.
• Draft, update, and maintain the employee and attorney handbooks, including state-specific addenda.
• Ensure compliance with wage and hour laws, leave laws (FMLA, state equivalents), pay transparency, and posting requirements.
• Oversee I-9 and E-Verify compliance; conduct periodic internal audits to ensure accuracy and completion.
• Manage compliance-related documentation within Workday or HRIS, ensuring proper recordkeeping and retention practices.
• Coordinate required workplace postings across all offices (physical and electronic).
• Support responses to government audits, unemployment claims, EEOC charges, and other agency inquiries.
• Conduct periodic internal compliance audits and provide corrective action recommendations.
• Partner with HR Generalists and department leadership to ensure consistent application of policies.
• Develop and deliver compliance training to managers and staff as needed.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive employee information and investigations.
• Create compliance tracking tools and dashboards to monitor regulatory requirements and audit outcomes.
• Support annual reporting requirements (e.g., EEO-1, pay data reporting where applicable).
• Collaborate with payroll, benefits, and HRIS to ensure regulatory alignment in system processes.

HIPAA Compliance

• Maintain HIPAA compliance documentation, including privacy and security policies, Business Associate Agreement (BAA) inventories, breach and disclosure logs, and health plan privacy documentation.
• Coordinate HIPAA privacy and protected health information(PHI) handling training for applicable personnel, including onboarding training and annual refreshers; maintain completion tracking records.
• Support the coordination of annual HIPAA risk analyses on both the Business Associate and Covered Entity sides, working with the designated Security Official and any third-party assessors.
   

Reporting Relationship

The HR Compliance Specialist reports directly to the Senior Manager of Human Resources.

Subordinate staff:  N/A

Qualifications

Knowledge/Experience

• 3–5+ years of progressive HR experience with a strong emphasis on compliance.
• Experience in a multi-state employer environment required; law firm or professional services experience required.
• Working knowledge of federal employment laws including FLSA, FMLA, ADA, Title VII, ADEA, USERRA, and related state laws.
• Experience managing handbook updates and jurisdictional addenda.
• Familiarity with HRIS systems (Workday preferred) and electronic recordkeeping requirements.
• Experience supporting audits, agency responses, and compliance investigations.
• Working knowledge of the HIPAA Privacy, Security, and Breach Notification Rules.

Skills

• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with ability to interpret complex regulatory language.
• Exceptional attention to detail and documentation accuracy.
• Ability to work independently and proactively identify compliance risks.
• Strong written communication skills, particularly policy drafting.
• Organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Sound judgment and discretion when handling confidential matters.

• Project management capability to track legislative updates and implementation timelines.
• Familiarity with PHI handling, access controls, and information-sharing protocols in a professional services or legal environment.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or related field required; Juris Doctor degree with relevant experience may also be considered.

• PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP certification preferred.

Physical Demands

Must be able to move around the office up to 15% of the time to make copies, fax, file, etc. Remains stationary at least 85% of the time. This position operates computers and other office productivity machines (e.g., fax machine, copier, printer, etc.) on a regular basis. Occasionally required to move documents or files weighing up to 15 lbs. This position requires constant communication and exchange of information with the Firm attorneys, clients, and staff. This position must be able to inspect and observe information on a computer screen at least 85% of the time.  Ability to lift up to 15 pounds occasionally.

Working Conditions

Professional office environment on a 4:1 in-office schedule.  While we expect this position to be filled in our Dallas or Dallas-North offices, we may consider other office locations provided there is a business and experience fit.

Compensation may vary based on location and experience.

Salary Range:

The expected salary range for this position is $120,000.00-$140,000.00. Please note that the final offer amount may vary based on experience and skillset of the selected candidate.

At Haynes and Boone, our people are the driving force behind our success. Because we value the role every individual plays in how we deliver exceptional legal services, we hire people who will contribute to our professional reputation, enhance client relationships and share in our success.

Haynes and Boone’s Orange County office serves the needs of California’s premier technology industries and capitalizes on the West Coast’s global access. We have vibrant practices in intellectual property (IP), in-bound Asian work, venture-funded corporate matters, and big-ticket litigation such as patent, securities, insurance coverage, and class action labor and employment matters. Our thriving economic community is home to an array of businesses, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to emerging technology ventures. Our expanded presence here heightens Haynes and Boone’s coast-to-coast capabilities while giving clients the benefits of our growing geographic base. Most of our California-based lawyers have earned engineering or technical degrees in addition to law degrees, enhancing their understanding of the intricacies of IP. Our team members have been recognized in publications such as The Best Lawyers in America directory (Woodward/White, Inc.), Intellectual Asset Management (IAM) Patent 1000 (Globe White Page Ltd), and Managing IP Magazine (Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC). We are committed to having an inclusive workforce that reflects our communities, and we seek highly motivated lawyers and staff who value our culture of respect and teamwork.