Staff Counsel

Research Foundation of C.U.N.Y.

Bargaining Unit:
No

Summary:
Provide Legal, Compliance, and Strategic Guidance Within Both the Research Foundation Human Resources and Legal Affairs Departments. This Position Advises on A Broad Range of Institutional Matters, with A Primary Focus on Employment-Based Immigration, and A Secondary Focus on Employment Law, and General Rf Business Contracts. as A Solo Practitioner Within the Immigration-Employment Domain, the Staff Counsel Will Manage Both High-Level Legal Strategies and Hands-On Execution and Administrative Filing of All Immigration Cases (approximately 100 Active Cases Annually) without Dedicated Paralegal Support. This Position Reports Directly to The Chief Human Resources Officer with A Dotted Line Supervisory Relationship to The Chief Counsel and Deputy Chief Counsel. the Position Works Closely with The Assistant Director of Human Resources for Personnel Services on All Immigration-Related Employment Matters.

Responsibilities:

• Full Immigration Employment Case Ownership: Manage and Execute the End-To-End Preparation, Drafting, and Filing of Complex Employment-Based Petitions (including Cap-Exempt H-1 B, O-1, Eb-1, Eb-2 Niw, Perm, Tn, and E-3) for Approximately 100 Active Cases per Year.
• Docketing & Compliance: Independently Monitor Case Deadlines, Maintain Meticulous Immigration Case Records, and Ensure Institutional Compliance with Department of Labor (dol) Public Access Files (pa Fs).
• Advisory: Serve as The Primary Source of Contact for Principal Investigators, International Researchers, Rfcuny Employees, Administrators, and Cuny Personnel Regarding Case Status, Document Requests, and Processing Timelines.
• Business Contracts & Policies: Advise Research Foundation Senior Executives or Other Staff on Legal Issues to Identify and Respond Strategically to Legal Risks, Review Internal Agreements, and Advise on Corporate Governance Matters.
• Employment Law: Advising the Human Resources Office as Needed on Issues Such as Investigations, Discipline and Termination; Draft, Review, Revise and Negotiate Employment Agreements; Oversee Employment-Related Complaints Proceedings and Litigation; Work with Outside Counsel as Necessary.
• Other Duties as Assigned.

Competencies:

• End-To-End Execution: Ability to Manage Both High-Level Legal Risk Analysis and Meticulous Clerical Task Compilation.
• Prioritization & Autonomy: Proven Capacity to Manage an Independent Caseload Efficiently without Administrative Oversight.
• Stakeholder Diplomacy: Ability to Communicate Complex Federal Regulations Clearly and Respectfully to University Leadership, Faculty, and Foreign Nationals.
• Integrity & Discretion: Exceptional Judgment when Handling Sensitive Personal Data and Institutional Liabilities.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: J.D. from An Aba-Accredited Law School.
• Experience: 3+ Years of Practicing Employment-Based Immigration Law with A Demonstrable Track Record of Preparing and Filing Your Own Forms.
• Licensure: Active License to Practice Law in Any U.S. Jurisdiction; Must Obtain In-House Counsel Registration in New York State Within Six (6) Months

Desired Qualifications:

• Prior Legal Experience Working Directly with Foreign Nationals Within a U.S. Higher Education or Research Institution Environment.
• Proficiency with Mitratech Immigration Case Management Software (tracker Corp / Ins Zoom) and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Familiarity with Higher Education Immigration Nuances, Including Cap-Exempt H-1 B Regulations and J-1 Visa Rules.
• Strong Research and Analytical Skills Applied to Evolving Uscis, Dol, and Nvc Procedures.

Pay Range:
$104,584 - $113,299