"General Counsel"

UNC Overview

Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Western North Carolina, UNC Asheville is the designated public liberal arts campus in the University of North Carolina system. UNC Asheville is nationally known for the quality of our student-centered teaching, mentoring of undergraduates in research, interdisciplinary learning, and striving to be an inclusive campus community.
UNC Asheville is committed to promoting diversity and a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and the ability to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds. The successful candidate is expected to foster an inclusive work culture where uniqueness of beliefs, backgrounds, talents, capabilities and ways of living are respected and welcomed.

Classification Title

General Counsel

Department

University General Counsel

Full-Time/Part-Time

Full-Time

Months per Year

12 Months

Position Summary

The General Counsel serves as the chief legal advisor to the Chancellor, Board of Trustees, and senior leadership, reporting directly to the Chancellor. This role provides strategic legal guidance on complex and sensitive legal matters impacting the university's governance, academic affairs, athletics, student affairs, financial management, business operations, and human resources. The General Counsel also directs the university's legal initiatives, programs, and services to ensure compliance and support institutional goals.

Key and Critical responsibilities of the General Counsel is centered on delivering high level professional legal counsel across a broad spectrum of issues to advance UNC Asheville's academic and administrative objectives.

Advise leadership on matters of governance, policy, and risk management. Oversee and coordinate legal services for university programs and activities.

Able to provide competent legal counsel in the following areas of practice:

• Education law
• Employment law
• Real property law
• Public contracting and business transactions
• Intellectual property, research, and technology transfer
• Administrative and health care law
• Regulatory compliance
• Division I intercollegiate athletics
• Public safety and criminal law matters
• Liability and risk management
• Federal and state constitutional law
• Other public law issues

Success in this position requires distinguished leadership, keen judgment, a high level of critical analysis, persuasive writing and reasoning skills, influential, the capacity to garner respect, and uncompromising integrity.

Minimum Education/Experience/Skill

• Graduation from an accredited law school
• Member in good standing of the North Carolina bar, or eligible to practice law in the State of North Carolina following successful admission to practice law in North Carolina within one year of employment.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible senior-level legal experience delivering sophisticated legal services in a higher education environment.
• Diversified legal background including service as Legal/General Counsel in a college, university, non-profit organization, or top-tier law firm.
• Proven success in providing legal guidance in the context of complex organizations and a deeply held commitment to and belief in the value of collaborative decision-making.
• Ability to work collaboratively and to communicate effectively with multiple and diverse constituencies, such as faculty, staff, students, alumni, campus leadership, legislators, corporate partners, community leaders, and the public.
• High ethical standards with a strong commitment to legal ethics exhibited in knowledge, practice, and professional responsibility.
• Exceptional analytical, interpersonal, and written and oral communication skills, as well as sound judgment and personal and professional integrity.

Preferred Education/Experience/Skill

• Substantial experience with the various legal issues that universities face, including litigation, employment, government or public law issues (e.g., federal and state constitutional issues).
• Specific experience representing colleges and universities or similar institutions; knowledge of case law, legal precedent, and legislation related to higher education and university business and operations.
• Experience with intellectual property, technology transfer, intercollegiate athletics, and academic centers.
• Experience or ability to supervise/manage department staff, outside counsel, and departmental budget.

This position will supervise an Assistant General Counsel.