Description:
The Vice President and General Counsel is Brown's chief legal officer and advises the Brown Corporation, the President, the Provost, academic and administrative leaders, faculty, and staff of the University on a broad range of legal and strategic matters. The general counsel advances Brown's mission by anticipating, understanding, and explaining the legal ramifications of important issues in higher education and how they impact the university. The successful candidate will also be able to quickly understand the intricate workings of the university and be able to provide guidance that assists the President and her senior leadership team in implementing Brown's strategic goals. The general counsel is responsible for operations, budgets, and staffing issues of the Office of the General Counsel (OGC). Currently, the OGC is composed of two Deputies and three Associate Counsels. The operation of the OGC also includes the retention and management of all outside counsel. The general counsel will report directly to the president and serve as a member of her senior leadership team.Candidates with diverse professional backgrounds will be considered, although ideal candidates will have demonstrated experience and success in many of the following areas:
- Oversees and maintains full responsibility for a full array of in-house legal services for Brown and its officials, including advice and counsel, transactions, and judicial and administrative litigation in areas such as employment and labor relations, governance, student affairs, development and gift agreements, real estate leasing, development and financing transactions, research administration, civil rights (including Title IX), internal investigations, international student and scholar services, immigration and visa issues, contracts with public and private organizations, and regulatory compliance.
- Provides counsel to the president, provost, executive vice presidents, and other senior officers on policy and procedure governing Brown operations.
- Assists the Advancement division and other administrative officers in connection with the solicitation and acceptance of gifts involving specific donors or special items of property.
- Assists Brown officers and faculty in securing proprietary interests in original works of authorship and inventions, as appropriate, and in complying with laws affecting copyrights, patents, and other proprietary interests.
- Supervises the legal, paralegal, and administrative staff of the Office of the General Counsel.
- Counsels on issues concerning real estate and facilities, as well as environmental and other matters pertinent to the research, facilities, and operations.
- Engages, assigns work to, and oversees law firms and others providing Brown with assistance and advice with respect to legal matters and governmental relations.
- Advises on the protection and licensing of the use of Brown's name, logos, and other property rights for commercial and other purposes.
- Provides the Office of the President with assistance and advice as needed and performs such tasks and additional duties as may from time to time be required or requested.
- Provides clear, creative, and supportive long-term leadership for the Office of General Counsel, and assures that its personnel, structure, culture, outside counsel relationships, and operations best serve the missions and priorities of all components of Brown.
- Possess a willingness and ability to support a diverse and inclusive environment.