Description:

Engineering a world of possibilities
Reporting directly to the President and serving as a key member of the President's Cabinet, the General Counsel serves as the chief legal officer to Colorado School of Mines (Mines) and its Board of Trustees. The General Counsel provides forward-looking, enterprise-level legal counsel that enables the university to advance its mission, pursue strategic growth, and navigate an increasingly complex higher education landscape.

As a proactive university partner, the General Counsel balances risk management with strategic opportunity, ensuring that legal considerations are integrated into strategic and key operational decision-making. In addition to guiding the university through complex regulatory and governance issues, the General Counsel leads the Office of Legal Services, directs external legal counsel, partners closely with the State Attorney General's Office, and serves as Secretary to the Board of Trustees.
Strategic & Operational Responsibilities

Executive Leadership & Strategic Advisory

Strategic Partnering: Serves as a legal advisor to the President, Board of Trustees, and Executive Leadership, translating complex legal and regulatory dynamics into actionable strategic insight that advances university priorities.
Proactive Risk Management: Frames risk within the university's strategic context by identifying legal vulnerabilities and advising leaders on considerations that inform risk management decisions in support of strategic goals.
Governance & Board Relations: Directs legal and corporate governance support for the Board of Trustees in the role of Board Secretary, safeguarding institutional integrity.

University-wide Legal Management & Policy Strategy

Departmental Leadership: Leads a high-performing team of legal professionals, driving a service model focused on responsiveness, proactive counsel, and high-impact support.
Regulatory & Legislative Strategy: Anticipates, evaluates, and responds to emerging state and federal legislation, higher education legal trends, and regulatory changes affecting Mines' research, operations, and policy environment.
Litigation & Special Counsel Strategy: Oversees institutional litigation and administrative proceedings in collaboration with the Colorado Attorney General's Office and specialized external counsel, aligning legal strategy with overarching institutional interests.

Institutional Operations & Compliance Alignment

Research & Commercialization: Provides legal strategy supporting Mines' research enterprise, technology transfer, and intellectual property asset management.
Human Capital & Student Life: Collaborates with HR, Student Affairs, and Title IX administrators to provide legal advice necessary in areas such as employment, labor relations, student governance, and civil rights (ADA, Title IX, EEO).
Networking: Cultivates relationships with peer higher education leaders, state officials, and legal networks to leverage best practices, benchmark policies, and elevate Mines' institutional standing.

Minimum Qualifications:

Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school with excellent academic credentials.
State Bar Licensure: Active license to practice law in the State of Colorado, or eligible for admission on motion / licensed within six (6) months of hire.
15+ Years of Progressive Experience: Proven track record advising executive leadership in complex, multi-faceted organizations, including a minimum of five years leading and developing a team of legal professionals.
Executive Presence & Communication: Superior analytical, negotiation, and communication skills, with demonstrated ability to convey complex legal principles to diverse stakeholders, boards, and public audiences.
Strategic Problem-Solving: Demonstrated expertise in navigating organizational risk, public sector regulations, and governance matters.

Preferred Qualifications:

10+ Years in Higher Education Legal Practice: Extensive experience within a public university system or research-intensive (R1/R2) institution.
State Governance & Public Sector Knowledge: Deep familiarization with Colorado constitutional, statutory, and administrative laws governing higher education and public entities.
Board Advisory Experience: Direct experience advising a governing Board of Trustees or Board of Directors on governance, fiduciary duties, and institutional policy.
Complex Litigation & Commercial Strategy: Background in managing complex litigation, research/technology commercialization, or public-private partnership agreements.