Description:
Job Summary:The University of North Georgia is currently accepting applications for an Assistant General Counsel. The Assistant General Counsel provides legal counsel, analysis, and advice on a broad range of legal, regulatory, compliance, transactional, operational, and institutional matters affecting the University. Reporting to the General Counsel, this position works collaboratively with Office of General Counsel (OGC) personnel, as well as university and external stakeholders, to support the delivery of legal services across the full scope of matters handled by the OGC in support of university objectives and strategic goals. Subject matter responsibilities may vary based on institutional needs, organizational priorities, workload demands, and the attorney's experience and expertise. This position will be housed on the Dahlonega or Gainesville campus with periodic travel among UNG campuses as well.
This position is designated as a Campus Security Authority (CSA) and holds the responsibility of serving as a mandatory reporter for all Clery Act crimes.
Please be advised that any offer of employment is contingent upon your eligibility to work in the United States. The university is aware of recent federal changes that may significantly increase the cost of filing H-1B visa petitions.
As a public institution, the university's ability to cover such costs is subject to budgetary constraints and state funding policies. Therefore, while we remain committed to supporting international faculty hires, we cannot guarantee payment of any newly imposed or increased visa-related fees.
If you have any questions regarding the visa policy, please contact Monica Arrendale at (706) 867-4470.
Responsibilities:
Legal Counsel, Analysis, and Client Advice:
- Provides legal counsel and practical advice to university administrators, departments, and other institutional clients on a broad range of legal, regulatory, compliance, operational, and strategic matters.
- Conducts legal research and analysis; interprets federal and state laws, regulations, policies, contracts, and governance requirements; identifies legal risks; and develops recommendations that support institutional objectives while managing legal risk.
- Contracts, Transactions, and Business Affairs:
- Drafts, reviews, negotiates, and advises on a wide variety of contracts, agreements, transactions, procurement matters, academic arrangements, vendor relationships, memoranda of understanding, affiliation agreements, intellectual property matters, and other business or operational arrangements as assigned.
- Compliance, Risk, and Investigations:
- Provides legal analysis, advice, and support related to statutory, regulatory, and policy compliance, institutional risk management, investigations, administrative matters, audits, records obligations, and governance requirements.
- Assists with internal investigations, evaluates legal and regulatory risks, advises on compliance obligations, and collaborates with university stakeholders and OGC personnel to support institutional compliance efforts.
- Litigation, Claims, Records, Subpoenas, and Dispute Support:
- Provides legal support for litigation, claims, administrative proceedings, subpoenas, open records matters, preservation obligations, dispute resolution, and other contested or potentially contested matters.
- Coordinates with outside counsel, state agencies, insurers, university personnel, and OGC support staff as appropriate.
- Policy, Governance, Training, and Institutional Initiatives:
- Advises on the development, interpretation, review, and implementation of university policies, procedures, governance documents, training materials, programs, and institutional initiatives.
- Collaborates with university departments and OGC personnel to support legally sound and operationally practical outcomes related to policy and governance issues.
- Professional Responsibilities and Other Duties:
- Maintains knowledge of current and emerging legal issues affecting higher education, public institutions, and assigned areas of responsibility.
- Performs other legal services and duties as assigned by the General Counsel, including committee service, special projects, outreach, training, and travel among university locations as needed.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of legal and regulatory frameworks affecting public institutions and higher education, or ability to develop such knowledge quickly.
- Demonstrated legal research, analysis, writing, counseling, and advocacy skills.
- Strong judgment, professionalism, discretion, and commitment to confidentiality.
- Excellent written, verbal, negotiation, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, clients, and legal matters simultaneously.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with attorneys, paralegals, compliance personnel, administrators, and university stakeholders.
- Ability to interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies, contracts, and governance requirements to institutional operations.
- Ability to identify legal risk and provide practical, solution-oriented advice.
Required Qualifications:
- Juris Doctor from ABA-accredited law school required.
- Membership in good standing with the State Bar of Georgia required.
- Requires at least three years of progressively responsible legal experience.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience in higher education, government, or public sector law is strongly preferred.
Required Documents to Attach
USG Core Values
The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.
Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.
Institutional Values
The University of North Georgia, a regional multi-campus institution and premier senior military college, provides a culture of academic excellence in a student-focused environment that includes quality education, service, research, and creativity. This is accomplished through broad access to comprehensive academic and co-curricular programs that develop students into leaders for a diverse and global society. The University of North Georgia is a University System of Georgia leadership institution and is The Military College of Georgia. More details on the UNG Mission, Values, Vision, and Culture can be found at https://ung.edu/about/mission-vision-values.php
Conditions of Employment:
Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of North Georgia, as determined by University of North Georgia in its sole discretion, confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. Applicants may be subject to a pre-employment drug test.
- Resume, Cover Letter, and Transcripts
- Contact information for three professional references
The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.
Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.
Institutional Values
The University of North Georgia, a regional multi-campus institution and premier senior military college, provides a culture of academic excellence in a student-focused environment that includes quality education, service, research, and creativity. This is accomplished through broad access to comprehensive academic and co-curricular programs that develop students into leaders for a diverse and global society. The University of North Georgia is a University System of Georgia leadership institution and is The Military College of Georgia. More details on the UNG Mission, Values, Vision, and Culture can be found at https://ung.edu/about/mission-vision-values.php
Conditions of Employment:
Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of North Georgia, as determined by University of North Georgia in its sole discretion, confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. Applicants may be subject to a pre-employment drug test.