East Carolina University, with an enrollment of 29,000 students, is the only constituent institution in the University of North Carolina System with a School of Medicine, School of Dental Medicine, and College of Engineering and Technology. The Office of University Counsel provides comprehensive legal advice and counsel regarding legal matters to the Chancellor, the Board of Trustees, the principal administrators of the University and, through them, to faculty, staff, and students of East Carolina University.

The responsibility of the Associate University Attorney is to assist the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsels in providing comprehensive legal advice to East Carolina University. The Associate University Attorney will report directly to the Deputy General Counsel and Associate Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs and will assist in advising the Chancellor, the Provost and other senior administrators including vice chancellors, deans and department chairs, as well as the Board of Trustees, faculty and staff concerning legal matters such as University policies and procedures, employee relations, student affairs, student discipline, public records, contracts, pending litigation, and other University legal matters. Such assistance also includes furnishing legal advice relating to and coordinating preparation for administrative hearings involving senior administrators and/or committees.

1. Provides legal advice to administrators regarding enforcement of disciplinary standards and policies for faculty and staff. This advice includes matters of recruitment, hiring and discharge of employees; and as applicable matters of appointment, reappointment, tenure and discharge or imposition of serious sanctions involving faculty. The Associate University Attorney will provide specific support and advice to administrators in preparation for and prosecution of related campus hearings and, when appropriate, appeals to the UNC Board of Governors and/or litigation.

2. Provides legal advice to administrators regarding disciplinary standards and policies for students. This advice includes matters of student conduct, academic integrity, and Title IX compliance.

3. Serves as a resource and provides legal advice regarding subpoenas, court orders and public record requests. This advice includes reviewing records and redacting, as appropriate, prior to production to the requestor. It regularly requires legal research regarding applicable privacy laws, including but not limited to, the NC public records law, FERPA, HIPAA and the NC personnel record statutes.

4. Responds to inquiries, charges, or complaints registered by or with external regulatory and law enforcement agencies, to include conducting or assisting with internal investigations; marshaling evidence for reports, investigative responses, and discover; and assisting in the development and articulation of University positions and responses in consultation with the General Counsel and other appropriate University administrators.

5. Serves as a liaison between East Carolina University and the legal staff of the University of North Carolina University System Office, the legal staff of the North Carolina Department of Justice/Office of the Attorney General, outside counsel and other entities inside and outside the University.

6. As needed, provides supplemental support for the coordination and negotiation of contracts, affiliation agreements and MOUs. This may include drafting or providing legal review of documents.

7. Conducts legal research and prepares legal opinions regarding state and federal laws applicable to higher education, including but not limited to, FERPA, Title IX, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, ADEA, ADA , FMLA

 

8. Attends and serves as a legal resource in University Board of Trustee meetings. This may include reviewing or preparing documents for meetings and advising on matters before the Board of Trustees.

9. Attends and serves as a legal resource to other University committees and/or groups including but not limited to Faculty Senate, Staff Senate, the University Policy Committee, University Behavioral Concerns Team, and other University groups charged to care out University tasks.

10. Attends continuing legal education and other courses to stay current on legal developments affecting the University and to maintain NC license to practice law.

11. At various times, serves as a liaison between East Carolina University and (1) the legal staff of The University of North Carolina System Office, (2) the legal staff of the North Carolina Department of Justice/Office of the Attorney General, and (3)other entities inside and outside the University.

12. Represents the University to a variety of external regulatory and law enforcement agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, United States Department of Justice, and the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights. This function requires responding to inquiries, charges, or complaints registered by or with such organizations, usually through conducting internal investigations; marshaling evidence; and assisting in the development and articulation of University administrators.

13. Other duties as assigned.

Salary and title are commensurate with experience. May fill as Assistant University Attorney (classification and working title) or Associate University Attorney (working title Associate University Attorney or Senior Associate University Attorney) based on qualifications and experience of selected candidate.

Associate University Attorney must have J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school; and either a current member in good standing of the North Carolina Bar or eligible for admission to the North Carolina Bar within one (1) year of hiring and a minimum of five (5) years of legal practice experience. May fill as Assistant University Attorney (classification and working title) based on qualifications and experience of selected candidate. Assistant University Attorney must have a J.D. from and ABA-Accredited law school; either a current member in good standing of the North Carolina Bar or eligible for admission to the North Carolina Bar within one (1) year of hiring; and a minimum of one (1) year of legal practice experience.

A minimum of four years of legal experience is preferred, along with relevant experience involving employment law, litigation experience, contract law, and higher education law and/or public sector law.

In order to be considered for this position, applicants must complete a candidate profile online via the PeopleAdmin system and submit any requested documents. Additionally, applicants that possess the preferred education and experience must also possess the minimum education/experience, if applicable. See posting on ECU Web site for full details: https://ecu.peopleadmin.com/postings/74407