WHAT YOU WILL DO

The Higher Education Unit of the State Services Section in the Colorado Department of Law serves as general counsel and litigates on behalf of public postsecondary educational institutions of Colorado. Specifically, the Unit services as general counsel and primary litigators for Fort Lewis College, Adams State University, Colorado Mesa University, Western Colorado University, the Colorado Department of Higher Education, the Division of Private Occupational Schools, CollegeInvest, the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative, College Assist, the Institute for Cannabis Research, and History Colorado. The Unit also assists with the provision of legal services to the University of Colorado System, Colorado State University System, University of Northern Colorado, the State Board of Community Colleges and Occupational Education System, Metropolitan State University of Denver, the Auraria Higher Education Center, Colorado Mountain College, and the Colorado School of Mines.
 
In this role, you will have the opportunity to:

• Serve as general counsel to boards, including advice on open meetings, occasional licensing, administrative and rulemaking work;
• Provide legal advice (both written and oral) and serve as litigation counsel on education issues related to tenure and employment, due process, campus safety, student services, state and federal compliance with federal and state discrimination laws, Title IX, the Clery Act, and the ADA.
• Handle privacy and disclosure issues related to subpoenas, CORA, and FERPA.
• Defend clients in litigation in state, federal and administrative courts at both the trial and appellate levels. Litigation may include administrative hearings on student or faculty discipline, responses to investigations related to discrimination claims or complaints to the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, advising and litigating Title IX claims, and defending against constitutional challenges.
• Coordinate occasional transactional work, including drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts related to service agreements, software, real estate, and construction.

Salary note: The Department of Law uses a wage progression compensation model. Although a salary range is listed, salary will be set commensurate with the successful candidate's qualifications and in compliance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. 

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Qualified applicants must be licensed to practice law in Colorado or be clearly eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar. Candidates eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar will be required to submit proof of their completed application before the first day of employment.
 
We are looking for a candidate that meets most of the following qualifications:

• Committed to and values diversity, equity, inclusion, and public service. 
• Excellent time management skills and can handle a large variety of legal work with minimal supervision. 
• Strong background in civil litigation, including the ability to independently litigate cases in state and federal court with minimal supervision.
• General counsel background, including ability to be strategic partner with clients in providing advice.
• Skilled in communication orally, in writing, and in legal analysis. 
• Excellent interpersonal and client relationship skills.
• Well-developed ability to work collaboratively.
• Demonstrates maturity and judgment when dealing with internal and external stakeholders and knows when to consult teammates and supervisors.
• Excels at learning new areas of law and takes initiative to learn quickly and dive into subject matter.
• Background in higher education law, advising boards, constitutional law, discrimination law or government representation is preferred.

• The final candidate for employment must successfully pass a thorough criminal background investigation. 
• Applicants must be admitted to the Colorado bar or be clearly eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar and be in good standing at the time of application. Candidates eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar will be required to submit proof of their completed application and application for Practice Pending Admission before the first day of employment. For more information about admission to the Colorado bar please review information on the Colorado Supreme Court Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel.
• Colorado Department of Law participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.