Assistant or Associate Counsel

Description:

Job Description:
Budget Title: Assistant Counsel/Associate Counsel (*Management/Confidential)

Salary: Commensurate with Experience

The Office of General Counsel (OGC) provides legal services and support to the Board of Trustees, the Chancellor and senior officers for the State University of New York (SUNY) at SUNY System Administration in Albany, New York, as well as to the presidents and administrators of the campuses within the System. Under the leadership of the Senior Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs and the General Counsel, the SUNY Office of General Counsel is responsible for providing legal services to the System and the 29 state operated campuses. The OGC consists of more than 70 experienced higher education attorneys, paralegals and support staff located in Albany at the System Administration headquarters and in campus-based offices at the four University Centers, Health Science Centers, and various SUNY colleges.

The legal practice of the OGC involves a substantial array of topics, including public procurement, governance and ethics, legislation, health care, capital construction, public finance, labor grievances and arbitration, litigation oversight (the State's Attorney General defends litigation brought against the University), student affairs, and the use of real property, among others. The OGC represents the State University in interactions with State officials who may regulate the affairs of the State University, including the Attorney General, State Comptroller, the Governor and staff, and members of the State Legislature as well as other state and local agencies and entities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The State University of New York System Administration invites applications for the position of Assistant or Associate Campus Counsel within the Office of General Counsel. This position will be located at SUNY System Administration in Albany and will have a principal assignment supporting Binghamton University.

The Office of General Counsel operates as a single, systemwide legal office under the leadership of the Senior Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs and General Counsel. Attorneys with principal campus assignments are members of the Office of General Counsel and work collaboratively with OGC colleagues across SUNY to provide consistent legal advice and services to the University.

Under the day-to-day direction of Binghamton University's Chief Campus Counsel, the Assistant or Associate Campus Counsel will provide legal advice and support on a broad range of matters affecting Binghamton University.

The Assistant or Associate Campus Counsel will advise campus leadership and administrators on matters including contracts and procurement, real estate, student affairs, athletics, research, facilities, employment, public records, regulatory compliance, institutional policy, litigation-related matters, and other operational and legal issues. The attorney will regularly coordinate with other OGC attorneys and subject-matter experts to ensure the consistent delivery of legal services across SUNY.

Responsibilities will include, among other duties as assigned:

• Reviewing, drafting, negotiating, and advising on contracts, procurement matters, real estate transactions, leases, licenses, data use agreements, affiliation and partnership agreements, memoranda of understanding, and other institutional agreements
• Advising on procurement requirements, solicitation documents, emergency procurements, regulatory approvals, audits, and other matters involving State agencies and oversight entities
• Advising Binghamton University's Freedom of Information Law Records Access Officer on legal issues relating to records requests, applicable exemptions, document review, and response obligations
• Providing legal advice on student affairs, institutional policies, compliance, governance, and the interpretation and application of Binghamton University and SUNY policies and requirements and applicable State and federal law
• Assisting with administrative claims, regulatory inquiries, investigations, litigation-related matters, and coordinated document review and response processes
• Conducting legal research and interpreting applicable local, State, and federal laws, regulations, policies, and requirements
• Advising and assisting in the development and implementation of Binghamton University policies, procedures, guidance, and training
• Working with Office of General Counsel colleagues on matters requiring cross-functional or systemwide coordination

Direct Reports
The successful candidate will not have any employees reporting to them.

Requirements:

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited ABA law school (or foreign equivalent)
• Admission to the New York State Bar (or eligibility for admission within six months) and a strong academic background
• Minimum of 2 years of legal practice or relevant legal experience prior to beginning the position to be considered for the Assistant Counsel title; a minimum of 3 years of legal practice or relevant experience to be considered for the Associate Counsel title

Preferred:

• Experience advising higher education institutions, governmental entities, public authorities, or other public-sector or regulated organizations
• Experience with contracts, procurement, student affairs, institutional policy, public records, regulatory compliance, administrative matters, or other legal issues affecting complex organizations
• Experience managing complex legal matters, regulatory inquiries, administrative claims, litigation-related requests, or coordinated document review processes
• Experience with the New York Freedom of Information Law or comparable public records requirements
• Ability to provide practical legal advice to non-lawyer clients and to work effectively with senior administrators and other institutional stakeholders
• Effective judgment and discretion in handling sensitive matters
• Written and oral communication and interpersonal skills
• Effective analytical and legal research skills

Additional Information:

• This position is located at SUNY System Administration in Albany, New York. The attorney will be a member of the SUNY Office of General Counsel, with a principal campus assignment supporting Binghamton University under the day-to-day direction of Binghamton University's Chief Campus Counsel. Travel to Binghamton University and other SUNY locations may be required.
• Management/Confidential appointments serve at the pleasure of the President and are not represented by a union.
• Offers of employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment background check and verification of degree(s) and credentials

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