Description:
Responsibilities:Reporting to the General Counsel, the Assistant General Counsel will assist in providing general legal services on behalf of the university to all of the university's constituencies, including senior administrators, faculty and staff.
Primary responsibilities will include:
- Supporting the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel in the creation and processing of university contracts
- Ensuring compliance by the university with applicable laws and regulations at the local, state and federal levels
- Providing legal advice and support in all areas handled by the Office of General Counsel (OGC), such as academic and student affairs, sponsored research, governance, university policies, technology, human resources, purchasing, real estate, construction, intellectual property, insurance and litigation matters.
Specific Responsibilities:
- Draft, review, edit and negotiate an array of commercial and academic contracts
- Provide commercial transaction support across the institution
- Contribute to the OGC's implementation of its contract management system
- Field a wide range of legal inquiries from departments university-wide
- Conduct legal research and analysis and draft legal memoranda
- Draft, review, and update policies across the institution
- Keep current on developments in law and regulation at the federal, state and local level pertaining to higher education institutions
- Assist outside counsel in litigation activities including document production, as well as reviewing and monitoring pleadings, motions, discovery, depositions, trials, mediations, arbitrations, appeals, etc.
- Oversee timely and appropriate responses on behalf of the university to requests for records and other information as required, including, but not limited to, under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and subpoenas
- Assist the Deputy General Counsel in matters relating to the university's risk management function
- Assist the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel as needed, and perform other duties as may be assigned
Qualifications:
Minimum Required Qualifications:
- Juris Doctor from ABA-accredited U.S. law school.
- Two (2) years of experience practicing law in a law firm, corporate office, or university/college setting.
- Licensed to practice law in the State of New York in good standing (or ability to obtain licensure promptly after date of hire).
Knowledge, Skills and Experience:
- Ability to manage a high volume and variety of contractual agreements from routine to complex and stay organized and accountable
- Ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities in a dynamic environment
- Familiarity with a broad range of legal matters; experience in reviewing, drafting, negotiating, and editing contracts
- Ability to assist in overseeing outside counsel in litigation activities
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Demonstrated ability to conduct thorough legal research and analysis and draft well-written legal memoranda
- Ability to work constructively as a business partner to help support the university's mission and provide excellent client services throughout the institution
- Ability to communicate, work cooperatively and interact comfortably with a diverse community and multiple constituencies including senior administrators, staff, faculty, students, external professionals and vendors
- Sound judgment, impeccable integrity and maintenance of confidentiality
