Description:
Position Summary:The Principal Campus Counsel serves as a senior attorney within the Office of Legal Affairs and is assigned as the primary legal advisor to Intercollegiate Athletics. As a trusted legal partner to the Athletic Director and Athletics executive leadership, the Principal Campus Counsel provides broad legal counsel across a wide range of issues affecting a modern Division I athletics program while remaining an integral member of the Office of Legal Affairs' general practice team.
The incumbent advises Athletics leadership on complex legal matters involving labor and employment, commercial transactions, governance, regulatory compliance, contracts, student-athlete matters, Name, Image and Likeness (NIL), NCAA and conference requirements, revenue-generating initiatives, licensing, media rights, and other operational and strategic issues. The Principal Campus Counsel collaborates closely with Ethics, Risk & Compliance and other campus partners to identify legal risks, develop practical solutions, and promote compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and University policy.
While this position is assigned to support Intercollegiate Athletics as its primary client, the Principal Campus Counsel maintains a broad institutional legal practice and participates in cross-training with other attorneys in the Office of Legal Affairs. The incumbent is expected to provide legal support across other University practice areas as operational needs require, ensuring continuity of legal services and contributing to the overall effectiveness of the Office.
The Principal Campus Counsel exercises a high degree of professional judgment and independence in advising University leadership, negotiating agreements, managing disputes, supporting litigation, and resolving complex legal issues. Through this role, the incumbent advances the University's strategic objectives by delivering practical, solution-oriented legal advice while helping to protect the institution's legal, financial, and reputational interests.
Application Review Date
The First Review Date for this job is: September 1, 2026.
Responsibilities:
Strategic Legal Counsel - 25%
- Serves as the primary legal advisor to the Athletic Director and Athletics executive leadership.
- Provides strategic legal advice regarding athletics operations, institutional priorities, governance, and organizational initiatives.
- Advises senior leadership regarding legal implications of significant business decisions and emerging risks.
- Develops practical legal strategies that balance institutional objectives with legal and regulatory requirements.
- Identifies emerging legal trends affecting collegiate athletics and proactively advises leadership regarding institutional impacts.
- Provides legal advice regarding employment matters, principally those matters affecting Athletics, with emphasis on California labor and employment law.
- Drafts, negotiates, and reviews executive employment agreements, coaching contracts, separation agreements, incentive compensation plans, retention agreements, and other employment-related documents.
- Advises management regarding employee relations, workplace investigations, disciplinary actions, performance management, and other employment matters.
- Provides legal counsel regarding NCAA employment issues, employee classification, and evolving legal standards impacting collegiate athletics.
- Represents the University in administrative proceedings, negotiations, and employment-related litigation, or manages outside counsel as appropriate.
- Negotiates, drafts, and advises on complex commercial agreements, principally supporting Athletics operations.
- Provides legal counsel regarding:
- Name, Image and Likeness (NIL)
- Revenue-sharing initiatives
- Student-athlete compensation models
- Licensing and branding agreements
- Intellectual property matters
- Media rights agreements
- Third-party sponsorship agreements
- Conference affiliation matters
- Facilities use agreements
- Athlete intellectual property
- Revenue generation initiatives
- Advises leadership regarding commercial opportunities while ensuring appropriate legal protections and institutional compliance.
- Partners closely with Ethics, Risk & Compliance to develop institution-wide compliance strategies, principally those affecting Athletics.
- Advises regarding NCAA rules, conference requirements, House settlement implementation, and other evolving regulatory requirements.
- Develops legal risk mitigation strategies that strengthen institutional governance and reduce organizational risk.
- Assists in developing and revising campus policies, procedures, and compliance programs.
- Conducts legal risk assessments for significant athletics initiatives and strategic projects.
- Represents the University in litigation, administrative proceedings, investigations, and other legal matters within assigned practice areas.
- Manages relationships with outside counsel and evaluates appropriate use of external legal services.
- Negotiates resolutions to complex legal disputes.
- Develops and delivers legal education and training programs for Athletics leadership and other campus stakeholders.
- Serves as a subject matter expert on emerging legal issues affecting collegiate athletics.
Required Qualifications:
- Extensive and progressively responsible legal experience.
- Demonstrated expertise in California labor and employment law.
- Significant experience drafting and negotiating complex employment and commercial agreements.
- Experience representing organizations in litigation, investigations, and administrative proceedings.
- Demonstrated ability to advise executive leadership on highly complex legal and business matters.
- Expert knowledge of California labor and employment law and legal issues affecting Division I intercollegiate athletics.
- Comprehensive understanding of NCAA regulations, conference governance, and the evolving legal landscape affecting collegiate athletics.
- Knowledge of federal and California laws governing higher education, employment, commercial transactions, and regulatory compliance.
- Knowledge of and/or ability to learn University policies, governance, risk management principles, and litigation management, including effective use of outside counsel.
- Advanced legal analysis, strategic problem-solving, negotiation, and contract drafting skills.
- Excellent legal research and statutory interpretation skills.
- Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Strong client counseling, relationship management, and collaboration skills across multiple organizational units.
- Ability to exercise sound legal judgment in situations involving significant ambiguity or evolving legal standards, and maintain confidentiality and discretion in highly sensitive matters.
- Ability to build trusted relationships with executive leadership and diverse campus stakeholders, and advise senior leaders on matters involving significant legal, financial, operational, and reputational risk.
- Commitment to integrity, inclusion, collaboration, and the highest ethical standards.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple high-priority matters simultaneously.
- Ability to independently manage highly complex legal matters, analyze emerging legal issues, and develop practical, risk-based solutions with minimal supervision.
- Strategic planning and project management skills.
- Ability to develop and deliver legal training and educational presentations.
Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school. (Required)
Licenses / Certifications
Active membership in good standing with the California State Bar, or eligibility to obtain admission within the timeframe established by University policy. (Required)
Active membership in good standing with the California State Bar, or eligibility to obtain admission within the timeframe established by University policy. (Required)
