Description:

Position Summary:
The Associate or Senior Campus Counsel is a member of the State University of New York's (SUNY) Office of General Counsel (OGC) assigned to OGC's Buffalo regional office at the University at Buffalo (UB). Under the leadership of the Senior Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs and General Counsel, OGC provides legal services and support to the SUNY Board of Trustees, the Chancellor and senior officers at SUNY System Administration, and the presidents and administrators of SUNY's 29 state-operated campuses. OGC consists of more than 70 higher education attorneys, paralegals, and support staff at System Administration and in campus-based regional offices throughout the State.

The position has primary responsibility for providing legal advice and services to UB on contracts and business transactions, including complex contractual, procurement, construction, real estate, and related business matters, and for structuring, negotiating, reviewing, and advising on legal agreements that support the university's operations, research, programs, and partnerships.

As a member of OGC's statewide legal team, the Associate or Senior Campus Counsel exercises significant independent judgment and works collaboratively with attorneys and staff at System Administration and OGC's other campus-based regional offices to coordinate the consistent delivery of legal services across SUNY. The attorney participates in OGC's Contracts Practice Group and other OGC meetings, trainings, and initiatives and may provide legal support on matters outside the attorney's primary portfolio as needed. OGC's practice spans public procurement, governance and ethics, health care, capital construction, public finance, labor and employment, litigation oversight, student affairs, real estate, research, regulatory compliance, and other areas affecting the University. The position also includes responsibility for legal matters involving key university-related entities, including the University at Buffalo Foundation and other affiliated or auxiliary organizations, and coordinates with OGC colleagues and appropriate State agencies when matters require specialized, system-wide, or external review.

Primary Responsibilities:

Provide primary legal advice and services to the university on transactional and business matters, including complex commercial contracts, procurement of goods and services, construction-related agreements, licensing, and partnership agreements.
Draft, review, negotiate, revise, finalize, and complete a broad range of agreements, including revenue-generating contracts, affiliation agreements, real estate and land use instruments, research-related agreements, technology transfer and licensing arrangements, memoranda of understanding, construction and contractor agreements, and agreements among SUNY components and with SUNY-affiliated entities, other State agencies, and external entities.
Develop and continually improve standardized contract templates and client tools, and create and implement playbooks, guidelines, best practices, risk-mitigation protocols, and legal review procedures to support efficient, consistent, and compliant contract review across the university and, as appropriate, OGC.
Advise on legal aspects of the university's relationships and transactions with affiliated and auxiliary organizations, including the University at Buffalo Foundation, and provide counsel regarding governance, transactions, and the appropriate coordination of institutional roles and responsibilities.
Provide legal advice and guidance to the university's executive leadership, procurement staff, administrative units, and faculty on complex contracts and business transactions, contract interpretation and performance, insurance, risk management, and related policy matters.
Review proposed transactions, licenses, contracts, and other agreements to assure compliance with applicable federal, State, and local law, particularly New York State Finance Law and public procurement requirements, as well as SUNY Board of Trustees policies and university procedures.
As a member of OGC's statewide regional-office structure, collaborate with attorneys at System Administration and in other regional offices to coordinate the consistent delivery of legal services, including on system-wide contracting initiatives, multi-campus agreements, standardized templates, trainings, and other projects through the SUNY Contracts Practice Group and other OGC working groups, as appropriate.
Act as a liaison with the New York State Office of the Attorney General on litigation or other matters involving contracts and business transactions, and with the Office of the State Comptroller on transactions requiring State-level review or approval.

Additional Responsibilities:

Handle other substantive areas of university legal affairs as assigned and appropriate to rank. As a campus-based OGC attorney, the incumbent may be expected to learn and support matters outside contract law and the attorney's primary portfolio as university and OGC needs require.
Draft legal guidance, respond to campus legal inquiries, advise and assist in the development of university policies, provide training related to transactional and business matters, participate in OGC staff meetings and professional development activities, and handle special projects assigned by the Chief Campus Counsel or other OGC leadership, as appropriate.
Support and contribute to the university's and OGC's commitment to an inclusive environment and the effective, consistent delivery of legal services across the university and the broader SUNY system.

Learn more:

Our benefits (https://www.buffalo.edu/administrative-services/for-faculty-staff/benefits/state/m-c-prof.html), where we prioritize your well-being and success to enhance every aspect of your life.
Being a part of the University at Buffalo community. (https://www.buffalo.edu/)

University at Buffalo is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and, in keeping with our commitment, welcomes all to apply including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Minimum Qualifications:

Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school, or foreign equivalent.
Admission to the New York State Bar in good standing, or eligibility for admission to the New York State Bar within six months.
A minimum of five (5) years of legal practice or other relevant legal experience for appointment at the Associate Campus Counsel level, or seven (7) years for appointment at the Senior Campus Counsel level, including at least three (3) years of substantial experience drafting, reviewing, negotiating, and advising clients regarding contracts and business transactions.
Demonstrated ability to provide practical legal advice to non-lawyer clients; independently manage complex legal matters and shifting priorities; exercise sound judgment and discretion; identify and appropriately escalate significant legal, operational, or institutional risks; work collaboratively as part of a legal team; maintain a high level of confidentiality; and meet applicable deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience advising higher education institutions, governmental entities, public authorities, nonprofit institutions, or other complex or regulated organizations.
Familiarity with New York State and federal laws, regulations, procurement and contracting requirements, and approval processes affecting public higher education and public entities.
Significant experience advising clients on complex contracts and business transactions, including one or more of the following: public procurement, real estate, construction, technology and licensing agreements, affiliations, revenue arrangements, research or innovation matters, or other complex institutional transactions.
Experience advising senior leaders and other institutional decision-makers on legal, business, operational, and risk-management considerations, and managing complex matters and client relationships across multiple stakeholders.
Superior organizational, written and oral communication, and interpersonal skills, including the ability to provide practical advice and interact effectively with university and OGC leadership, internal clients, counterparties, regulators, oversight agencies, and other public-sector stakeholders.
Experience developing or improving contract templates, playbooks, guidance, training materials, or other tools and processes that promote efficient and consistent legal services; demonstrated initiative, adaptability, and ability to develop expertise in new and emerging substantive areas.