The University of Mississippi

"The University of Mississippi — fondly referred to as Ole Miss — stands as a premier public research institution with a proud legacy of academic distinction. We are devoted to nurturing a vibrant, inclusive community where every member — student, faculty, and staff — can achieve their fullest potential.”

Department Summary

The Office of General Counsel provides legal advice to the University on all aspects of University operations through the general counsel and a team of three associate general counsel.  This is a newly created position to add a fourth associate general counsel to the team.  

Role Specifications

Below you will find classification and compensation information.  For additional details behind the University of Mississippi classification system please visit Human Resource Compensation Page

Assistant General Counsel 

Family -  Legal and Compliance 

Sub-Family - Legal

Career Track / Level - P3

Grade - 15

Associate General Counsel

Family -  Legal and Compliance 

Sub-Family - Legal

Career Track / Level - P4

Grade - 17

Role Summary

This attorney will be responsible for employment matters, conflicts of interests, public records, and overseeing related litigation. The position will also handle other duties depending on the attorney's experience and office needs.  

Assistant General Counsel

Conducts in-depth legal research and analysis in order to provide legal guidance and support to the General Counsel, as well as University senior leadership, staff, and faculty regarding the impact of legal risks involving the university.

Associate General Counsel

Provides legal representation for, and advice and counsel to, the institutional community to prevent or minimize impact of legal risks involving the institution.

Examples of Work Performed

• Provides advice and counsel on various legal, regulatory, compliance, and administrative matters, including, but not limited to, employment law, conflicts of interest, and public records.  
• Identifies and analyzes potential legal and compliance issues in different courses of action under consideration by the University.
• Assists with the resolution of regulatory, administrative, or legal proceedings before local, federal, and state agencies and courts.
• Analyzes and interprets University policy and procedures.
• Develops training materials and conducts training sessions for University employees, faculty and/or staff.
• Conducts legal research.
• Drafts memoranda, legal opinions, correspondence, and other attorney work product.
• Responds to requests for public records, discovery, subpoenas, and other requests for information.
• Supervises and collaborates with outside counsel as needed.
• Performs similar or related duties as assigned. 

Essential Functions

These essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following.  Additional essential functions may be identified and included by the hiring department.

Assistant General Counsel

1. Completes legal research, fact-gathering, and analysis to determine the appropriate course of action and provides preliminary recommendations to the General Counsel on the legal issues. 
2. Meets with senior leadership, staff, and faculty on a broad range of legal issues to provide advice and counsel. 
3. Conducts in-depth legal research to support the work of the General Counsel. 
4. Prepares written work product in the form of memos, policies, letters, etc. to the General Counsel and senior leadership as directed.

Associate General Counsel

1. Manages and maintains a good working relationship with institutional clients by leveraging exemplary legal writing, research, and analytical skills to provide legal advice and counsel to multiple University constituents.
2. Safeguards the University’s institutional and academic interests by ensuring that actions taken by or on the behalf of the University comply with University policy, federal, state, and local law or regulation.
3. Investigates and prepares materials for litigation matters in cooperation with outside counsel.
4. Effectively manages multiple legal matters with competing and overlapping deadlines.
5. Reviews, drafts, and negotiates transactional documents on behalf of the organization.
6. Assists in the preparation and delivery of trainings for institutional employees and affiliated entities to provide general advice, education, and counseling regarding legal issues.
7. Provides direct policy making input and advice on matters of substantial magnitude related to University activities.
8. Proactively analyzes and recommends corrective action to ameliorate risk.
9. Represents and defends the University against legal claims and charges.

Minimum Education/Experience

Assistant General Counsel

Education: Juris Doctor

Experience: (6) Six Years Experience 

Associate General Counsel

Education: Juris Doctor

Experience: (10) Ten Years Experience 

Cover Letter and resume required.

Preferred Qualifications

A Juris Doctorate Degree from an ABA accredited law school, licensed to practice law in the state of Mississippi or obtain admission to the Mississippi Bar within 6 months of employment

EEO Statement

The University of Mississippi provides equal opportunity in any employment practice, education program, or education activity to all qualified persons. The University complies with all applicable laws regarding equal opportunity and affirmative action and does not unlawfully discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based upon race, color, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, citizenship, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or genetic information.

Minimum Physical Requirements

Physical Requirements:  These physical requirements are not exhaustive, and additional job-related physical requirements may be added to these by individual agencies on an as needed basis. 

Corrective devices may be used to meet physical requirements.

Physical Exertion:  The incumbent may be required to lift up to approximately 10 pounds.

Vision:  Requirements of this job include close vision. Speaking/Hearing: Ability to give and receive information through speaking and listening.

Motor Coordination:  While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent is frequently required to talk and hear; and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The incumbent is periodically required to sit. The incumbent is occasionally required to stand; walk; and reach with hands and arms

Interview Requirements: Any candidate who is called for an interview must notify the Department of Equal Opportunity/Regulatory Compliance in writing of any reasonable accommodation needed prior to the date of the interview.

Background Check Statement

The University of Mississippi is committed to providing a safe campus community. UM conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.