"Assistant/Associate General Counsel, Office of General Counsel"

Job Details

External Applicants: Please ensure all required documents are ready to upload before beginning your application, including your resume, cover letter, and any additional materials specified in the job description.

Cover Letter and Supporting Documents:

• Navigate to the "My Experience" application page.
• Locate the "Resume/CV" document upload section at the bottom of the page.
• Use the "Select Files" button to upload your cover letter, resume, and any other required supporting documents. You can select multiple files.

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A cover letter is required for all positions; optional for facilities, campus services, and hospitality roles unless otherwise specified.

Job Description Summary This position provides legal advice and services to Wake Forest University on a broad range of matters, but it is primarily focused on the broad range of legal and regulatory matters in student affairs. This position works closely with campus stakeholders, including the Division of Campus Life, Office of Student Conduct, the Title IX Office and Office of Institutional Equity, Center for Learning, Access, and Student Success, Housing and Residential Life, University Police, and the Compliance Office to ensure compliance with federal and state laws, regulations, and University policies. This position also serves as a legal advisor to the University’s CARE, threat assessment, and incident response teams. This position manages a varied portfolio of student-related legal issues, including advising key leaders and stakeholders on various regulatory and compliance issues, providing guidance on student grievances and disputes, drafting and reviewing policies, and supporting the University’s mission by offering practical and solution-oriented legal guidance. It is expected that this position will also provide legal advice on various staff and faculty employment issues. This position serves as a strategic partner within the Office of General Counsel and leads the office’s student affairs team, and may either lead or be a member of other teams in the office. This role participates in University committees and other projects as assigned by the General Counsel or the Deputy General Counsel.

A cover letter and legal writing sample are required when applying for this position.

Job Description

Essential Functions:

• Provides legal advice on student and compliance-related matters, including but not limited to student conduct, discipline, Title IX/sexual misconduct, discrimination and accommodation issues, student housing, campus safety, hazing prevention, and student rights.
• Interprets and advises on federal and state laws such as Title IX, FERPA, ADA/Section 504, Clery Act, VAWA, and related regulations affecting the University and/or student life.
• Advises on student conduct, disciplinary, and grievance matters.
• Reviews, revises, drafts, negotiates, and/or approves contracts and other legal documents.
• Analyzes and renders practical and solution-oriented advice regarding complex legal issues in a variety of practice areas.
• Demonstrates the ability to express ideas, opinions, and legal concepts clearly, effectively, and accurately, both orally and in writing to non-lawyers.
• Demonstrates a high level of problem-solving skills, including the ability to work creatively, proactively, and pragmatically.
• Represents WFU and its subsidiaries and affiliates in administrative or regulatory proceedings, with or without outside counsel. Works collaboratively with outside counsel in court proceedings.
• Prepares and delivers, and/or oversees the preparation and delivery of training and training materials in areas of legal specialty or responsibility.
• Independently anticipates and identifies legal issues to University administrators, and develops appropriate legal strategies and solutions.
• Assists in working with and/or monitoring legal work by outside counsel.
• Participates as assigned in policy development and other WFU administrative assignments to ensure compliance and best practices.
• Supervises work performed by department paralegals.
• Collaborates with other members of the Office of General Counsel and other campus stakeholders, and coordinates legal services in assigned practice areas.
• Participates in projects as assigned.
• Attends continuing legal education seminars as necessary to expand knowledge in practice area(s) and to maintain law license.
• Meets with client representatives on or off campus, as necessary.
• Observes all professional rules of responsibility and performs work in accordance with highest ethical standards.
• Conducts work with integrity and responsibility.
• Communicates regularly with General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel regarding work performed for the University.
• Routinely creates and maintains files in the Office of General Counsel’s file management system according to departmental standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Law degree (J.D.) from accredited law school with relevant legal experience for a minimum of 6 years for Assistant and 10 years for Associate, preferably with significant focus on education law, student affairs, or higher education compliance.
• Member in good standing of the North Carolina State Bar, or attainment of full membership in the North Carolina State Bar within one year of hire.
• Ability to investigate and analyze information and to draw conclusions.
• Experience in conducting or advising on sexual misconduct or related student investigations.
• Experience in developing and delivering training programs for faculty, students, and/or staff on Title IX, sexual misconduct prevention, or other relevant training.
• Ability to act as a quick study to quickly acquire and apply new legal knowledge and laws and regulations evolve.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication (both oral and written) skills, including the ability to communicate complex legal concepts clearly to non-lawyers.
• Superior legal research, writing, and analytical abilities.
• Strong negotiation, conflict resolution, and conflict management skills.
• Ability to organize workflow and effectively manage multiple complex and demanding priorities. Strong attention to detail and excellent time management skills.
• Ability and commitment to handling sensitive information in a confidential manner.
• Ability to work independently, with appropriate exercise of good judgment and discretion, and with minimal direction.
• Ability to supervise the work of paralegals and work collaboratively and collegially with others.
• Commitment to protection and furtherance of University’s mission and interests within the institution(s) and the community.
• Demonstrated capacity to develop and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and constituents who may reflect a broad range of identities, perspectives, and experiences.
• Proficiency in Google Suite, Microsoft Office, the internet, and other relevant software.
• Authorization to work in the United States at time of employment.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Experience as an in-house counsel in a higher education legal department, or comparable setting, strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of a broad range of legal issues and practice areas applicable to institutions of higher education.
• Experience drafting and revising contracts and other legal documents.

Accountabilities:

• Responsible for own work.
• Oversees the work of paralegal and/or support staff.

Physical Requirements: Sedentary work; communicating with others to exchange information; and repetitive motions that may include fingers, wrists, and/or hands. Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one campus location to another.

Environmental Conditions: Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment. Not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions. This position is primarily in-person, working from the Office of General Counsel located in Winston-Salem, NC, with the option for remote work one day per week with supervisor approval.