Associate General Counsel

Job Description

This position is to assist the General Counsel in providing comprehensive general legal services and counsel to senior academic and administrative officers of CSN concerning the College's legal rights and obligations, including litigation, and threatened litigation for all units of the College. The Associate General Counsel will have specific knowledge of: (1) higher education law; (2) CSN and Nevada System of Higher Education ("NSHE") policies and procedures, including the BOR Handbook, the NSHE Code, and the Procedures & Guidelines Manual; and (3) constitutional law related to higher education. The incumbent will meet regularly with the General Counsel to: (1) ensure consistent application of federal, state, and local statutes, regulations, and ordinances, as well NSHE and College policies and procedures; and (2) inform the General Counsel of any new or threatened litigation or significant legal matters that arise. The Associate General Counsel will collaborate regularly with NSHE counsel, and with counsel for the other NSHE institutions. The position will handle matters with greater independence; and provide guidance/assistance/training to more junior attorneys and staff, as requested by the General Counsel. The Associate General Counsel handles more complex, heightened, and escalated matters.

The scope of the role includes litigating on behalf of CSN on matters in the courts of both the State of Nevada and the United States, and proceedings in federal and state administrative and regulatory agencies. The Associate General Counsel will play a critical role in conducting research and providing litigation and pre-litigation services and advising College leadership on matters pertaining to compliance with state and federal laws affecting the College, all with a particular emphasis on civil rights/constitutional law, contracts, business and tort law, employment law, collective bargaining, dispute resolution, student rights, public records, subpoenas/records requests, risk management, and public/private partnerships. The position is also responsible for other such legal or administrative duties as may be assigned by the General Counsel.

This position has a variable work schedule and requires occasional travel. Concurrent private practice is prohibited.

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor, J.D. from an ABA accredited school.
• Admission to State Bar of Nevada; Licensed in Federal Court.
• 5-7 years of relevant experience for an academic institution, government, or other entity, in one or more of the following practice areas: labor and employment, academic and educational affairs, compliance, civil rights and constitutional law.
• 2 years of supervisory experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience with an institution in higher education or a government entity.
• 1-2 years of experience working with Senior Level Management and/or elected officials.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Knowledge of the laws pertaining to higher education.
• Knowledge of Nevada Public Records Law.
• Knowledge of Employment Law.
• Ability to foster teamwork and collaboration in a higher education setting.

The ideal candidate should possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities

Knowledge

• Civil procedure (state and federal courts) and state and federal laws.
• Rules of procedure before administrative bodies/tribunals including investigations such as EEOC, NERC, Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights.
• Litigation, discovery, legal analysis, and research (federal and state).
• Higher education law.
• NSHE and Board of Regents structure.

Skills

• Excellent analytical skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent electronic legal research skills.
• Excellent relationship-building skills and political acumen.
• Clear and effective communication with diverse clientele regarding complex legal issues.
• Strong problem-solving skills and inherent decision-making ability.
• Excellent judgment and business acumen bolstered by common sense.

Abilities

• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Ability to use effective interpersonal and communication skills to gain trust, build credibility, actively listen, negotiate, persuade, educate, and maintain effective working relationships with senior administrators and a diverse range of campus constituents.
• Ability to review all aspects of a problem both practical and legal and arrive at an effective solution.
• Ability to create and deliver effective materials and/or presentations appropriate to a particular audience.
• Timely production of written legal documents.
• Timely issuance of legal advice and counsel.
• Capable of working with minimal supervision to include making immediate decisions and acting without an opportunity to consult colleagues or supervisors.

Salary Information

Administrative Faculty E - Starting Salary is $156,195

Exempt: Yes

Full-Time Equivalent: 100.0%