Description:
The University of Pittsburgh, Office of University Counsel (“OUC”) is seeking an Assistant Legal Counsel who will support various attorneys within OUC with drafting, reviewing, and negotiating various business and commercial contracts and transaction-related agreements, conducting legal research, and advising University clients about regulatory compliance and legal risk.The Assistant Legal Counsel will provide legal counsel and strategic advice on various business and transactional matters, including commercial contracts and transaction-related agreements. Specifically, the Assistant Legal Counsel will be tasked with working with various attorneys within OUC in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating documentation in a wide array of legal areas, including the following: agreements related to the purchase and sale of goods and services, collaborative agreements, technology agreements, construction agreements, real estate transactions (including license agreements and commercial leases), and agreements related to other domestic and international transactions. This position will also assist in providing guidance and legal advice that assesses the legal risks involved in each transaction.
In addition, this position will assist in providing legal counsel and advice concerning the proper interpretation and application of statutes, regulations, and University policies.
Finally, the Assistant Legal Counsel will be tasked with other miscellaneous duties and projects as may be assigned by the Chief Legal Officer or the Deputy Chief Legal Officer. The position will report to the Deputy Chief Legal Officer.
Job Summary:
Provides legal counsel and guidance to management on University policy, programs, strategies, solutions, and updated laws. Drafts various legal documents, assists in negotiations, and may represent the University in hearings or litigation. Prepares legal training programs.
Essential Functions:
Successful candidates must demonstrate the following:
- possess meticulous attention to detail and time management skills to ensure prompt compliance with deadlines.
- maturity and the ability to work well with others.
- superior ability to solve problems (consider all aspects of problems, identify potential issues, evaluate such issues with common sense and balance, develop practical solutions and present such issues and solutions to non-lawyers in a manner that is easy to understand).
- ability to triage work and prioritize based on legal risk and needs of supported attorneys and University clients.
- impeccable legal writing ability.
- strong oral communication skills, with an emphasis on successfully negotiating with counter-parties and opposing counsel to represent the University's interests.
- excellent analytical and research skills, both in legal and factual matters.
- creativity in the practice of law by identifying ways to improve University processes and procedures and advising University departments about how to comply with laws and avoid potential litigation.
Physical Effort:
Duties are primarily sedentary. Must be able to use a computer at a desk or similar workstation, and travel to on-campus meetings as needed.
The University of Pittsburgh is an equal opportunity employer / disability / veteran.