Description:

Overview:
Salary Range:
$120,000.00 - $130,000.00 Salary/year

Description:
Give. Do. Love. Serve. From One's Own Abundance.

Position Details:

Salary Range: $120,000 - $130,000 annually
Full-Time, Exempt
On-site, 5 days per week in Hayward, CA

Position Overview:
The Legal Counsel is a key member of the College's leadership team, serving as the primary in-house legal advisor and partner to the President, Board of Regents, and senior leadership. This role provides practical, strategic legal guidance across governance, compliance, employment and labor matters, contracts, and risk management. The Legal Counsel also collaborates with outside counsel, delivers training and guidance to campus stakeholders, and helps ensure the College operates confidently and effectively within the law—all while supporting the College's mission and fostering a positive, collaborative work environment.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

Serve as the College's primary legal advisor, providing strategic and practical legal counsel to the President, Board of Regents, and senior leadership on matters involving employment law, higher education compliance, nonprofit governance, and institutional risk.
Prepare and deliver well-reasoned legal opinions, position statements, and guidance that support the College's mission, academic integrity, and operational effectiveness.
Lead the coordination and oversight of outside legal counsel, ensuring effective representation, alignment with institutional priorities, and cost-effective use of external legal services.
Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate legal and regulatory risks, including those related to employment practices, faculty and staff relations, student matters, compliance obligations, and institutional liability.
Provide legal oversight for nonprofit and charitable matters, including charitable gifts, trusts, grants, partnerships, and donor-restricted funds, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and donor intent.
Draft, review, and update institutional policies, procedures, bylaws, and governance documents to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws, accreditation standards, and best practices in higher education.
Review, draft, and negotiate a broad range of complex contracts and agreements, including those related to employment, faculty appointments, construction and facilities, leasing, insurance, procurement, research, licensing, and vendor relationships.
Advise on employment and labor law matters, including employee relations, performance management, disciplinary actions, investigations, leaves of absence, and compliance with California employment laws and regulations.
Provide legal guidance on academic and student-related matters, including intellectual property, academic policies, student discipline, and regulatory requirements affecting instructional programs.
Design and deliver legal and compliance training, workshops, and educational materials for administrators, faculty, and staff to promote legal awareness, risk reduction, and consistent application of institutional policies.
Serve as a trusted resource to campus stakeholders, translating complex legal concepts into clear, actionable guidance.
Perform additional legal duties as assigned by the President in support of institutional priorities and evolving legal needs.

Qualifications:

Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent terminal degree in law from an accredited institution.
Active membership in good standing with the California State Bar.
A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible legal experience, including work directly related to the duties outlined in this position.
Demonstrated expertise in legal matters affecting higher education and nonprofit institutions.
Extensive knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and regulations applicable to colleges and universities, including those related to governance, employment, contracts, compliance, and risk management.
Proven ability to provide sound legal advice and strategic counsel to senior leadership on a broad range of legal and policy issues.
Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills with the ability to prepare clear and well-supported legal opinions and documentation.
Effective public speaking and presentation skills; ability to communicate complex legal information clearly to diverse audiences.
Demonstrated experience in developing legal strategies and solutions aligned with institutional goals.
Knowledge of legal documentation procedures, contract law, and judicial processes.
Ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks and projects while supervising and coordinating the work of legal staff, paraprofessionals, or outside counsel.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal stakeholders and external agencies.
Familiarity with academic policies, intellectual property issues, and faculty/staff employment procedures.
Demonstrated ability to foster a collaborative, inclusive, and legally compliant work environment.
Competency in employee development, performance management, and organizational training related to legal and compliance matters.
Knowledge of financial and business analysis techniques relevant to legal risk assessment and contract negotiation.