Managing Associate General Counsel

The Office of the General Counsel of the University of Arkansas is accepting applications from qualified attorneys to serve as Managing Associate General Counsel at the University of Arkansas for Medal Sciences (UAMS). The position will be located at the UAMS campus in Little Rock, Arkansas. Interested applicants may apply at https://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UASYS/job/UAMS/Managing-Associate-General-Counsel_R0066554.

The attorneys within the Office of the General Counsel provide legal services to the Board of Trustees, the President, and administrators at the campuses and units of the UA System. As the lead attorney at UAMS, the Managing Associate General supervises a team of eight attorneys and three support staff. The person in this position reports directly to the General Counsel of the University of Arkansas System and will have a dotted-line reporting relationship with the UAMS Chancellor.

UAMS is Arkansas’s only health sciences university. With more than 12,000 employees in 73 counties, UAMS is Arkansas’s largest public employer. UAMS and its clinical affiliates—Arkansas Children’s Hospital and the VA Medical Center—serve as an economic engine for the state and have an annual economic impact of $3.92 billion. UAMS offers 73 baccalaureate, master’s, doctoral, professional, and specialist degree programs and certificates through its Colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Health Professions, Public Health, and graduate school. Students attend classes at the main UAMS campus in Little Rock and at the UAMS Northwest Regional Campus in Fayetteville.

As a key member of the UAMS executive team, the Managing Associate General Counsel serves as the primary legal advisor to the institution’s senior leaders. The person in this position provides high-quality legal and strategic advice on the full spectrum of healthcare issues, complex transactions, contracts, litigation, and employment matters.

Essential Duties

1. Provides direction and support to other attorneys, law clerks, and support staff.

    

2. Manages complex legal projects.

    

3. Represents UAMS in negotiations over potential deals involving UAMS’s clinical footprint, treatment offerings, and other matters.

    

4. Advises on a range of employment matters.

    

5. Interprets and applies state and federal regulations, in addition to University policies and procedures.

    

6. Drafts and interprets contracts, memoranda of understanding, and other legal instruments.

    

7. Researches complex legal issues and gives sound, pragmatic legal advice.

    

8. Analyzes legal risks and evaluates the desirability of settling lawsuits.

    

9. Oversees UAMS’s handling of administrative investigations and interacts with government regulators. 

    

10.  Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

J.D. from an accredited ABA law school and 15 years of experience (subject to waiver for especially relevant experience) in relevant areas.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Has practice experience in a reputable law firm, hospital, or academic medical center.

   

• Demonstrates an ability to handle multiple tasks and manage a team of high-level professionals.

   

• Possesses strong communication skills when advising clients, negotiating with potential business partners, and writing legal documents.

   

• Fosters a sense of collegiality when interacting with a diverse array of clients, colleagues, and leaders at all levels of the organization.

   

• Exercises good judgment and an ability to recognize the pragmatic consequences of legal advice.

   

• Exhibits a high degree of professional integrity.

   

• Finds creative solutions to legal challenges.

Preferred Education, Experience, and Skill

In addition to the required education and experience, the person in this position will ideally have a strong background in healthcare law, transactional law, and employment law; a deep understanding of the challenges that come with working for a government institution; and management experience.

Required Licenses or Certifications

Admission to the Arkansas bar will be required within one year of hire.

Background Check Requirements

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include drug testing and credit checks based on the job description and requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check.