Description:
Introduction:This Associate Vice President for Legal Affairs and University Deputy General Counsel (AVP/DGC) reports to and serves as the full deputy to the Vice President for Legal Affairs and University General Counsel (VPLA/UGC). This managerial position is responsible for providing sound legal advice and services to the University and its officers, administration, supervisors and employees in support of the University's strategic plan, mission and goals.
The AVP/DGC acts with significant autonomy, exercises independent judgment and leadership in assigned areas of responsibility under the general supervision and direction of the VPLA/UGC, acts on behalf of the VPLA/UGC in case of the VPLA/UGC's absence or unavailability, and represents the VPLA/UGC with the authority to make commitments on behalf of the VPLA/UGC in accordance with the VPLA/UGC's overall vision and direction.
The AVP/DGC supports VPLA/UGC with the provision of high-quality legal services to all ten campuses and system offices in a responsive and timely manner, and with ensuring University policies, practice protocols and procedures support the University's mission, goals and operations. The AVP/DGC helps to provide a proactive and collaborative approach to legal issues necessary for a higher education and public sector institution, and requires a strategic, proactive attorney who is well-versed in business dynamics and the balancing of risk and legal exposure while advancing the University's mission in academic, research, student and administrative areas.
Responsibilities include evaluating and minimizing legal risk; understanding operational and business needs; offering valuable advice, recommendations and options; and directing staff and attorneys on a day-to-day basis to conduct themselves in accordance with the office's service-oriented objectives. The AVP/DGC will also assist with routine transactions and standardization of templates and procedures to maximize the efficiency of the Office of General Counsel. The AVP/DGC establishes and maintains effective working relationships with regents, officers, administrators, other government agencies and officials, and external counsel, in order to advance the University's legal interests within the broader community.
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
Legal Services
- Responsible for providing and overseeing legal services to the Board of Regents, President, administrators, program managers and staff, in assigned areas of responsibility and under general direction and supervision of the VPLA/UGC.
- Represents the University in federal and state courts, administrative proceedings, and arbitrations. Assists with resolving disputes which may lead to litigation and in negotiating agreements.
- Provides advice and counsel to University officers, administrators and designated representatives on all legal or related matters.
- Attends meetings with the President and University officers, administrators and other managers, as appropriate.
- Attends regular and special meetings and certain committee meetings of the Board of Regents, as appropriate.
- Reviews and supervises the review of contracts submitted to the Office of General Counsel as to legality and form, approves contractual documents as to legality and form, or makes recommendations for approval to VPLA/UGC.
- Performs legal research including staying abreast of current decisions, opinions and emerging trends both locally and nationally in the public sector and higher education.
- Researches and issues legal opinions under the general direction of the VPLA/UGC in assigned areas of responsibility.
- Prepares and/or reviews legal documents, including contracts and agreements, to ensure that such documents comply with applicable laws, statutes and University policies, and are appropriately drafted to accomplish the University's objectives in the matter.
- Provides training to administrators, faculty and staff on legal and related issues.
- Assists clients in drafting rules and policies, and reviewing documents that have legal or related impact.
- Meets regularly with clients and the VPLA/UGC and keeps them apprised of major projects and matters.
- Interprets and drafts legislation and represents University interests when interacting with legislative bodies, regulatory agencies, and government agencies.
- Keeps abreast of best practices in public legal affairs, specifically in higher education.
Leadership, Advice, and Counsel
- Serves as a member of the University's management team.
- Advises and counsels the President and other senior leaders regarding University policies, procedures and practices, strategies, and proposed courses of action, in assigned areas of responsibility and under the general direction and supervision of the VPLA/UGC.
- Assists the VPLA/UGC in reviewing attorney and staff work product as appropriate, providing advice and guidance to attorneys and staff, and evaluating and strengthening work performance. Where appropriate, facilitates problem-solving with attorneys and clients.
- Sets professional standards and leads by example.
- Assumes duties and responsibilities of the VPLA/UGC as directed and required.
- Under the general direction of the VPLA/UGC, assigns and oversees day to day work to attorneys, paralegals and support staff.
- Provides advice and counsel to VPLA/UGC, officers, administrators and program managers on potentially precedent setting cases, relevance of legal issues to University policies and procedures, and institutional policies and historical practices to facilitate formulation of legal positions in the best interest of the University.
- Identifies objectives and develops action plans and options that will strategically support overall goals and objectives.
- Develops and enforces office policies, directives, and procedures.
- Fosters effective communication with attorneys, apprises of significant cases and projects, and establishes priorities to ensure effective legal representation.
- Facilitates effective working protocols and best practices with legal staff and support staff as appropriate.
- Under the general direction of the VPLA/UGC, plans, coordinates, and directs the day-to-day administrative functions of the office.
Minimum Qualification Requirements:
- Law degree from an accredited school of law.
- Admission to the Hawai`i State Bar, and license to practice before the federal courts in the District of Hawai`i.
- Ten (10) years of experience as a licensed practicing attorney.
- Experience with public sector legal matters.
- Experience with compliance and risk management.
- Demonstrated legal and ethical stature, maturity, competence and confidence to provide managerial support with credibility and trust.
- Demonstrated experience to achieve appropriate outcomes, manage multiple stakeholder agendas, and facilitate high client service standards with various constituencies in a changing environment.
- Demonstrated ability to analyze, interpret, present and write about complex issues, ideas and concepts in a clear, concise fashion.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders and constituents including internal and external groups and individuals.
- Demonstrated ability to be an effective team player, to deliver quality legal advice and services, and to serve as a positive role model.
Desirable Qualifications:
- Significant experience in civil litigation, trial and appellate practice and/or in negotiating and documenting complex commercial and real estate transactional matters.
- Knowledge of current best practices in public sector legal matters.
- Experience directing and coordinating the work of other attorneys and staff.
- Experience with managing attorney/client projects.
- Experience in current legal issues facing public institutions of higher learning, including, but not limited to, contract administration, conflicts of interest, student affairs, athletics, intellectual property, research contracts, non-profits, labor, information technology, human resources management and employment issues, academic freedom, tenure, university foundations, and other emerging related matters,