University Counsel & Assistant Secretary to the...

Primary Objective
Serving as the chief legal officer of the University, the University Counsel provides strategic legal guidance, consultation, and support to the President, the Board of Trustees, and senior leadership. The role safeguards the institution's integrity while advancing its academic mission and strategic priorities through expert counsel on a comprehensive range of legal, regulatory, and governance matters.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides expert legal opinions, advice, and counsel on matters affecting a private liberal arts institution, including but not limited to statutory and regulatory compliance, employment law, University policies and procedures, student affairs, contracts and grants, real estate transactions, tax matters, and liability and insurance issues.
• Monitors, analyzes, and advises leadership on evolving federal, state, and regulatory policies impacting higher education, ensuring institutional awareness, preparedness, and compliance.
• Advises the Board of Trustees on matters of nonprofit law, fiduciary duties, and governance practices; supports Board effectiveness through legal guidance and documentation.
• Prepares and maintains accurate records of Board of Trustees meetings, including drafting, reviewing, and finalizing official meeting minutes.
• Anticipates, identifies, and mitigates legal and reputational risks; provides timely and strategic counsel to University officers, often in matters of high sensitivity and significant institutional impact.
• Reviews, researches, interprets, and delivers written and oral legal opinions on a wide array of issues affecting the University.
• Develops and implements a comprehensive system for contract review and management.
• Drafts, reviews, negotiates, and oversees a broad range of agreements, including partnership agreements, memoranda of understanding (MOUs), nondisclosure agreements (NDAs), releases, and other related documents ensuring legal sufficiency and institutional alignment.
• Drafts, reviews, and updates institutional policies, procedures, regulations, bylaws, and other governance documents to ensure legal compliance and clarity.
• Selects, engages, and manages outside counsel as needed for specialized legal matters, litigation, or claims management.
• Provides training and educational programming to campus stakeholders on legal topics, compliance obligations, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Maintains professional expertise through ongoing education, professional affiliations, and engagement with developments in higher education law and related fields.
• Collaborates with University departments to develop legally sound strategies and solutions, particularly in complex or sensitive situations.
• Supports the Secretary to the Board of Trustees with activities such as taking minutes, meeting planning and organizing, research and support for Board committees and sub-committees.
• Performs additional duties as assigned in support of the University's mission.

Position Requirements:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited institution, with 7–10 years of progressively responsible legal experience.
• Membership in good standing with the Wisconsin State Bar, or eligibility to obtain Wisconsin bar licensure within 12 months of hire.
• Demonstrated experience in higher education law, either within a college/university setting or through legal practice serving higher education clients.

Additional Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with strong cultural competence and sound judgment.
• Ability to develop and deliver effective presentations and training sessions.
• Strong negotiation, problem-solving, and analytical capabilities.
• Proven ability to foster collaborative relationships across diverse constituencies.
• High degree of discretion, professionalism, and ethical integrity.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and contract management tools.

Employment Requirements:
Successful completion of a criminal background check, driving record check, and professional reference checks is required.