Saint Mary’s College of California seeks a General Counsel who will bring a capacity to lead and provide thoughtful guidance in a complex and changing higher education environment. The General Counsel will report to the President and serve on the President’s cabinet. This is a unique opportunity for a motivated self-starter to re-establish an in-house legal counsel office after several years of an outsourced model. The ideal candidate will be familiar with and have an intuitive grasp of Saint Mary’s Lasallian Catholic Mission and principles. The General Counsel will understand and embrace the Catholic intellectual, spiritual, and social traditions, and will be comfortable in Catholic liturgy, ritual, and other prayer settings.
The General Counsel will join the College at a critical moment and will be vital to the implementation of the College’s ambitious 2028 strategic plan which will ensure the institution’s financial stability, strengthen organizational effectiveness, and bolster student enrollment. The General Counsel will serve as a trusted advisor as the chief legal officer of the College, coordinating all of the College’s legal affairs, and providing advice and counsel to the President, Board of Trustees, executive officers, faculty, and staff. The General Counsel will oversee all outside use of counsel and advise on all legal matters and will be responsible for compliance with federal and local laws governing non-profit institutions of higher learning.
We are seeking a forward-thinking leader who is experienced in advancing innovation within legal frameworks. The ideal candidate for General Counsel will be a visionary leader deeply committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable environment. This individual will possess strong strategic thinking capabilities, with a proven ability to navigate the complexities of higher education and drive innovation within legal and compliance frameworks. They will be proactive in identifying potential legal challenges and adept at implementing preventive measures to mitigate risks. Additionally, the candidate will be recognized for their creativity and innovative thinking, consistently thinking outside the box and encouraging a culture of innovation among their team and broader College community.
Expert knowledge on issues of academic freedom and the ability to navigate tensions between academic freedom and compliance with the College’s legal requirements. Unquestionable integrity, trustworthiness, and a commitment to upholding rigorous ethical standards and confidentiality. Professionalism, decorum, and diplomacy in all interactions, with the ability to engage others with respect and empathy, in line with the College’s mission and values is essential. A Commitment to equity and inclusion and experience working with diverse populations.
Essential Responsibilities:
- Oversee and maintain full responsibility for a wide range of in-house legal services for the College and its officials, including advice and counsel, transactions, and litigation, in areas including but not limited to governance and board bylaws, faculty matters, employment and labor relations, student affairs, athletics, contracts, development and gift agreements, grants, intellectual property, real estate, financing transactions, enrollment, academic freedom, immigration and visas, civil rights (including Title IX), and internal investigations.
- Determine a legal services strategy and operation for the College and retain and manage outside counsel with subject matter expertise.
- Remain informed of legal developments relevant to higher education and proactively advise on emerging trends and changes to laws and regulations and their potential impacts on the College's operations.
- Inform the President and relevant members of the President’s team in a timely manner of matters regarded as highly visible, sensitive or expose the College to legal risk or liability; work collaboratively with the President’s team to manage and respond to legal issues related to their departments.
- Conduct periodic legal reviews of College policies and procedures to ensure legal compliance with appropriate laws and the principles of academic freedom. Collaborate with risk management and advise policy owners of proposed improvements.
- Foster a culture of legal compliance and ethical conduct across the College, promoting awareness and understanding of legal requirements and best practices through training and education.
- Manage and oversee the legal services budget, including centralization of expenditures of the College’s legal services.
- Advise on legal aspects of, and assist with, collective bargaining processes and agreements as needed.