Description:
LocationOur campus is located at 1601 Maple Street, Carrollton, GA 30118.
Faculty and staff members are expected to be physically present on campus as needed to support the in-person educational experience and on-campus vitality at the University of West Georgia. Depending upon teaching assignments and student demand, this could include the Carrollton or Newnan campuses.
Job Summary:
The Vice President and University General Counsel is responsible for the management and oversight of the University of West Georgia's broad and complex legal responsibilities, including, but not limited to, business transactions; federal, state and local regulatory matters; research compliance; athletics; employment law; litigation; intellectual property law; risk management; campus safety and security; privacy; open records; and student affairs. The Vice President and University General Counsel will serve as the institution's Chief Legal Affairs Officer and is also responsible for positioning the Office of the University General Counsel to be a strategic contributor to the University and its overriding mission through ongoing collaboration with University leadership, regular engagement with University faculty and staff, training, education, and timely policy guidance. The Vice President and University General Counsel advises the university in areas of Georgia Open Records Laws, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Title IX, and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) laws. The Vice President and University General Counsel works with University System of Georgia legal staff and the Georgia Attorney General's office on matters of significance.
Responsibilities:
Provides counsel in decision making in all areas of the university including: the President, Vice Presidents, Deans and Directors; faculty, supervisors and other employees acting in their capacity as employees; and student organization leaders regarding contracts and, in limited circumstances, legal issues confronting their organizations. Advising and assisting with property matters, human resources, equal opportunity, civil rights and Title IX matters, insurance and risk management, tax and business issues, patent, trademark and copyright issues, immigration and real estate and construction contracts. Working with departments during audit, investigations, and other compliance reviews. Participates in student, faculty and staff grievance and disciplinary proceedings. Provides oversight to the administration of open records and records retention policies and practices in compliance with Georgia Open Records laws.
In coordination with USG Office of Legal Affairs, develops contracts for legal services and retains and manages outside counsel on behalf of the University. Proactively works with University leadership to ensure campus activities and practices are in compliance with federal, state and local laws and with University and USG policies. Provide direct policy-making input and advice on matters of substantial magnitude related to critical University activities, policy questions and operation procedures and, as needed, draft, modify, or review institutional policies, procedures, and practices. Develops and maintains a robust framework of internal controls for evaluation and protection of the University's legal interests and reduction of legal risks. Provides leadership and ongoing communication/training on legal and risk management topics relevant to the University community, and regularly consults with University management to promote institutional compliance with law and policy. Maintains leading edge expertise on current and emerging higher education legal issues and challenges. Cultivates valuable professional contacts with USG Offices and peers, as well as with key higher education general counsel organizations.
Provides legal counsel and representation to the University (including the President, senior leadership, faculty, and staff, in their official capacities) on the full range of UWG legal concerns. Ensures appropriate coordination of legal counsel and services with the University System of Georgia's Office of Legal Affairs. In coordination with the Attorney General's Office and USG Office of Legal Affairs, as appropriate assist with lawsuits filed against the University,. Assist the President in responses concerning appeals, grievances, or other litigation matters filed with the President. Serves as the primary point of contact on all University legal issues. Serves as the primary point of legal contact and coordination between the University and local, state, and federal regulatory and law enforcement agencies, in full coordination with USG attorneys.
Required Qualifications:
Required Education:
Doctorate / Phd
Required Experience:
Juris Doctorate from an ABA accredited law school. Licensed and in good standing) as a member of the Georgia Bar or the ability to be licensed within one year of the appointment date. Five years of experience as a practicing attorney in a sophisticated environment such as a law firm, government agency, university, or non-profit or a business corporation. Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills, strong legal research and writing skills. Have a record of outstanding professional ethics, exceptional judgement, unquestioned integrity. Commitment to diversity and inclusion with the ability to work collegially in a diverse, complex environment.
Preferred Qualifications:
Preferred Education
Doctorate / Phd
Preferred Experience:
Active law practice to include experience with the array of legal issues involved in higher education. Experience in litigation management and experience as university counsel and/or higher education.
Proposed Salary
$182,812-$206,520 Annually. Paid on a Monthly Basis.
USG Core Values
The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.
Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.
Conditions of Employment:
Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of West Georgia as determined by the University of West Georgia in its sole discretion; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials, reference checks; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. Applicants may be subject to a pre-employment drug test. Offers are made expressly subject to the applicable federal and state laws, to the statutes, rules and regulations of this institution and to the Bylaws and Policies of the Board of Regents (BOR) of the University System of Georgia (USG), which are available for your inspection upon request.
Doctorate / Phd
Preferred Experience:
Active law practice to include experience with the array of legal issues involved in higher education. Experience in litigation management and experience as university counsel and/or higher education.
Proposed Salary
$182,812-$206,520 Annually. Paid on a Monthly Basis.
USG Core Values
The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.
Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.
Conditions of Employment:
Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of West Georgia as determined by the University of West Georgia in its sole discretion; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials, reference checks; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. Applicants may be subject to a pre-employment drug test. Offers are made expressly subject to the applicable federal and state laws, to the statutes, rules and regulations of this institution and to the Bylaws and Policies of the Board of Regents (BOR) of the University System of Georgia (USG), which are available for your inspection upon request.