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Associate General Counsel

Wright State University

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Job Summary/Basic Function:The Associate General Counsel is a senior, general practitioner who reports to the Vice President for Legal Affairs and General Counsel, and assists in delivering timely, accurate, and well-reasoned legal advice on the full spectrum of issues that affect a public research university. The successful candidate will demonstrate capability of functioning independently with respect to day-to-day matters, and ability to coordinate with the General Counsel and other administrators on more complex or high-profile matters. The successful applicant should expect to represent various units of the institution as assigned by the General Counsel.
Minimum Qualifications
To be considered for the position, each applicant must have, and maintain throughout employment (if selected for the position):
  • juris doctor from an ABA accredited law school;
  • An active, Ohio law license in good standing; no discipline pending, and no disciplinary history (in Ohio or any other jurisdiction);
  • Appointment as an Ohio Assistant Attorney General. (Note: The University will recommend the finalist for appointment, and the Attorney General’s staff will conduct a separate interview and background investigation. AAG appointments are in the Attorney General’s sole discretion. If the Attorney General declines to appoint the finalist as an AAG, the finalist will be disqualified from consideration for this opportunity, and any offer will be rescinded.)
  • At least five years comparable experience as in-house counsel for a large organization (not necessarily a research university, though such experience is preferred), as an assistant attorney general, or in private practice with an emphasis on either labor and employment or general business practice.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Prior service as an Assistant Attorney General;
  • Prior experience representing a public or private college or university;
  • Prior experience representing mid-size to large organizations with respect to general legal needs;
  • Prior experience representing state agencies, state instrumentalities, or political subdivisions.
Essential Functions and percent of time:
Anticipated allocation of professional time will generally consist of:

(60%)
  • General advice and representation to assigned units. This position currently services units that comprise the University’s academic enterprise: the Provost and their staff, Research and Sponsored Programs (research and commercialization), the Boonshoft School of Medicine, and the University’s seven other schools and colleges. Duties vary with the needs of each assigned client, but commonly include:
  • Negotiating, drafting, reviewing, and revising contracts and agreements of all types, often including procurement contracts, academic affiliation agreements, clinical trials research agreements, and non-disclosure/confidentiality agreements;
  • Researching, interpreting, and advising clients with respect to applicable federal and state authorities;
  • Assisting in drafting, interpreting, enforcing, and advising clients with respect to University policies, procedures, and other internal authorities;
  • Collaborating with the Ohio Attorney General’s staff, and with special counsel appointed by the AG to assist the University with particular matters;
  • Advising and representing University administrators in student conduct and faculty affairs matters, including disciplinary proceedings and arbitrations;
  • Responding to public records requests, court orders, subpoenas, and other compulsory process directed to assigned clients;
  • Identifying and monitoring issues and incidents that may lead to litigation, and negotiating resolutions or preparing the school for litigation, as appropriate;

(30%) Advise and represent the Human Resources Department, including:
  • Researching, interpreting, and advising HR with respect to federal and state labor and employment authorities, including FMLA, ADA, and workers’ compensation;
  • Advising and assisting officials in HR and other offices (e.g. Title IX, Compliance) with respect to internal investigation and resolution of protected class discrimination and retaliation claims;
  • Responding to protected class discrimination and retaliation complaints filed with state or federal regulators (e.g. EEOC, Ohio Civil Rights Commission, and U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights), and representing the University in resolution proceedings before those agencies;
  • Interpreting and advising administrators with respect to applicable collective bargaining agreements;
  • Assisting in drafting, interpreting, enforcing and advising HR with respect to employment-related policies, procedures, and other internal authorities;
  • Advising and representing the University in employee discipline and termination proceedings, including internal hearings and external arbitrations;

(10%) Other duties as assigned. Other duties commonly include:
  • Developing and delivering legal and regulatory training for University stakeholders;
  • Monitoring, analyzing, and reporting legal and regulatory developments that affect the University operations, and recommending policy changes to maintain a defensible and legally compliant environment;
  • Identifying and assisting in the implementation of measures to improve quality and efficiency within the Office of General Counsel;
  • Attending to the professional development and mentoring of junior attorneys and support staff in concert with other senior personnel in the Office of General Counsel.