Description:
Job Summary:Assists the General Counsel in providing legal advice and counsel to the University. Incumbent has a key role in areas of actual and potential legal liability. This position is responsible for advising on personnel matters, interpreting federal and state laws and regulations, and developing, drafting, and interpreting University policies, regulations and rules.
This position focuses primarily in the areas of employment law, Human Resources issues, business, finance, and all legal aspects of contract negotiation, drafting, review, and approval. Additional potential areas of focus may include intellectual property, data privacy and security, institutional compliance and regulatory matters, policy and legislation, general risk management and insurance, public information, ethics and conflicts of interest, student affairs, academic affairs, and general higher education issues.
Work is performed under the administrative direction of the General Counsel with limited supervision and occasional general supervisory review. The performance evaluation is conducted through the performance evaluation system and in accordance with the University Policies & Procedures.
Organizational Relationships:
Reports to: General Counsel
Supervises: May supervise Support Staff
Essential Duties - May include, but not limited to the following:
- Provides advice and counsel to the Board of Regents, Chancellor and President, Vice Presidents, and other administrators on legal matters that affect TWU.
- Provides legal advice and guidance regarding a variety of general higher education and business law matters. This includes, but is not limited to, employment law, finance and transactional matters, sponsored research, intellectual property licensing and tech transfer, copyright and trademark, data privacy and security, export control, contract disputes, institutional compliance and regulatory matters, general risk management and insurance, and ethics and conflicts of interest.
- Provides legal advice and recommends courses of action to resolve legal, procedural, or administrative issues in compliance with all applicable legal standards.
- Keeps informed of emerging legal issues that may impact the University.
- Researches legal issues and provides written recommendations, memoranda, and opinions.
- Assists with the development, preparation, and implementation of policies, by-laws, administrative procedures, and other guidelines.
- Assists the General Counsel in overseeing and managing all litigation involving the University.
- Assists the General Counsel with supervisory duties of the staff of the Office of General Counsel on pending and potential litigation and other matters.
- Provides legal support related to discrimination complaints, grievance and appeal processes, and general faculty, staff, and student issues.
- Provides legal advice and counsel on all manner of employment matters, including personnel issues, employee discipline, accommodations, contracts, discipline.
- Provides legal guidance for Texas Public Information Act requests including, but not limited to, exceptions to disclosure, redactions, and legal sufficiency review of correspondence to the Office of the Attorney General.
- Reviews, negotiates, drafts, and conducts legal sufficiency reviews for contracts, affiliation, agreements, and other legal documents.
- Represent the university in hearings and other judicial or quasi-judicial proceedings.
Additional Duties:
Performs other duties as requested.
Education:
J.D. degree from an American Bar Association accredited law school required. Licensed and admitted to practice law and in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.
Experience:
Licensed attorney with at least six years of progressively responsible legal experience required, including 4-5 years of litigation experience in state and/or federal courts in Texas. Experience in employment defense litigation or in higher education strongly preferred.
Requirement:
Regular and reliable attendance at the University during regular scheduled days and work hours is an essential function of this position.
All employees share the responsibility of maintaining information security and privacy requirements within the university by adhering to Federal and State regulations, and TWU Policies & Procedures.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities - The following are essential:
- Strong research, writing, and communication skills.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective and cooperative work relationships with administrators, faculty, and staff.
- Demonstrated ability to identify and frame complex legal issues and to convey advice clearly and effectively to non-lawyers.
- Demonstrated ability to organize work effectively, conceptualize, and prioritize objectives and exercise independent judgment based on an understanding of organizational policies and activities.
- Demonstrated experience in managing litigation, handling disputes, and negotiating contracts.
- Demonstrated ability to integrate resources, policies, and information for the determination of procedures, solutions, and other outcomes.
- Discretion and the ability to gain trust and maintain confidence.
- Knowledge of business contracts and lease drafting.
- Strong interpersonal and leadership skills.
- Ability to comply with all legal and legislative deadlines.
- Experience with state and/or federal laws affecting universities.
- Ability to travel as required.
- Ability to use a personal computer and other office equipment, including university-related software and email.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described in the Essential Duties and below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.
The employee may be required to travel.
Work Environment:
All employees are responsible for maintaining an environment that is free from discrimination, intimidation, harassment, including sexual harassment. Work is normally performed in a typical interior work environment.