"Senior Associate Counsel"

Job Description

The University of Texas at San Antonio is a Tier One research university and a Hispanic Serving Institution specializing in cybersecurity, health, fundamental futures, and social-economic transformation. With more than 35,000 students, it is the largest university in the San Antonio region. UTSA advances knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service, and with an intentional focus on career readiness the university produces more graduates for the workforce than any other institution in the region. It is a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property — for Texas, the nation and the world. UTSA has been recognized as a Top Employer in Texas by Forbes Magazine. Learn more online, on UTSA Today or on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, YouTube or LinkedIn.

In 2024, the UT System Board of Regents authorized UT System to begin integrating UTSA and UT Health San Antonio into one unified institution, establishing a world-class university that integrates academic, research, and clinical excellence to build a profoundly impactful university of the future. Driven by a vision for growth and impact, this merger will expand capacity to offer robust undergraduate and graduate programs, attract top-tier faculty and staff, develop innovative initiatives, and elevate transdisciplinary research to address the evolving needs of the region.

Posting End Date: Applications will be accepted through 11:59 PM CDT on 08/16/2025. At the discretion of the hiring department, this position posting may close once a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.

Salary Range: Commensurate with education, experience and qualifications.

Hours: up to 40 hours per week, exempt.

Required Application Materials:

• Resume is required.
• Cover Letter is preferred.

Essential Functions

Job Summary

Come join a team of experienced healthcare and higher education attorneys and staff to provide full-scope legal and strategic counsel for a large general academic institution, including a robust clinical and academic health enterprise in furtherance of its education, research and patient care missions. You will serve as an integral member of the in-house legal team, providing strategic legal analysis and counsel to minimize civil, criminal and regulatory risk while working closely with senior leadership, management, employees at all levels, The University of Texas System Office of General Counsel, Texas Attorney General and outside legal counsel.

This position will have responsibility to and accountability for general and academic strategic and legal issues related to a large general academic institution, including a robust clinical and academic health enterprise. This position will provide legal, strategic and transactional development and management of general business and legal issues regarding higher education and academic medical centers, including: Employment and general policy development related to faculty, staff, trainees (Immigration experience preferred), faculty and tenure issues, civil rights dispute resolution regarding Title VII and Title IX, policy development and review, open records, privacy, law enforcement, litigation management and support, contracts including procurement support for State Agency, athletics, construction, real estate, intellectual property, information technology, information security, and ethics/conflicts of interest among others.

Core Responsibilities

• Provides advanced legal advice and counsel to the University on a wide variety of issues faced by an institution of higher education, including all areas described in the job summary;
• Manages significant and complex legal matters independently and in coordination with the University's Office of Legal Affairs and UT System as appropriate;
• Assists with the drafting, oversight, and governance of the University's policies and procedures;
• Efficiently analyzes, anticipates, and stays abreast of relevant law to effectively guide enterprise risk management;
• Works with various stakeholders at the university to advise on legal implications in connection with issues and concerns raised by faculty, staff, and students. Counsels the University, all schools, colleges departments and personnel as needed to reduce legal, regulatory and reputational exposure;
• Researches and prepares responses to complaints and lawsuits filed with state and federal agencies against the University;
• Consults with UT System attorneys and the State Attorney General's Office in litigation matters;
• Provides training, education, and other preventative law measures to the University community to mitigate legal risk;
• Reviews/Revises/Drafts various communications to reduce legal and regulatory risk to protect and promote the legal interests and objectives of the University;
• Drafts communications (internal and external) to reduce legal and regulatory risk to protect and promote the legal interests and objectives of the University;
• Advocates on behalf of the University as necessary to legally defend or supports its goals and objectives;
• Defends the University in all disputes to reduce legal exposure, limit civil and criminal penalties, reduce reputational risk;
• Supports the strategic development of new innovations by providing collaborative engagement regarding legal, business and regulatory advice;
• Guides legal and litigation strategy and defense of University;
• Researches legal precedents, case reports, and other legal documents to collect information for case preparation; prepares initial drafts of correspondence, motions, pleadings, orders, affidavits and other legal documents; reviews court reports and forms;
• Provides efficient transactional support for all University departments;
• Advises regarding Institutional regulations in the form of Regents' Rules and Operating Policies and Procedures, and Handbook of Operating Procedures;
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Doctor of Jurisprudence from an ABA-accredited school of law.
• Admission to the Texas Bar or eligibility to practice law in Texas through a reciprocal arrangement in another state within 6 months of hire.
• Seven years of directly related professional experience
• This position requires the ability to maintain the security and integrity of UTSA and its infrastructure.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in one or more of the following
  • Higher education and/or a State or federal agency
  • Litigation
  • Immigration

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Experience and practice in similar fields with required specialty for position
• Demonstrated expertise in relevant matters with successful outcomes in mitigating risk and establishing executable agreements and contracts
• Superior ability to analyze and apply relevant law to real-world situations
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with stakeholders to identify, analyze, evaluate, educate, and advise regarding assigned areas of legal responsibility
• Ability to confront conflicts directly and respectfully
• Ability to uphold the highest standards of ethics and honesty
• Ability to engage collaboratively as a Team and with other stakeholders
• Ability to quickly triage, focusing on the matters that add the most value and risk mitigation
• Superior interpersonal and communication skills; excellent oral and written communication skills; and acute attention to detail
• Easy to approach; builds trust and rapport
• Ability to manage projects in the Legal Department
• Ability to work with a high degree of independence

Additional Information

• UTSA is a tobacco free campus.
• This is a security sensitive position. Employment is contingent upon a successful background check.
• Applicants selected must be able to show proof of eligibility to work in the United States by time of hire.
• Valid driver's license and Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) as applicable.

Working Conditions

• Office environment.
• Ability to travel to and from meetings, training sessions, or other business-related events.
• Occasional after-hours and weekend work or travel may be required.
• This position will require working both remotely in Texas and on campus (approximately five or more days on campus per month). Travel and parking expenses are the employee's responsibility. Applicants must be adaptable and open to working in both environments.

Equal Employment Opportunity

As an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer, it is the policy of The University of Texas at San Antonio to promote and ensure equal employment opportunity for all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or genetic information, and veteran status. The University is committed to the Affirmative Action Program in compliance with all government requirements to ensure nondiscrimination. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply. UTSA campuses are accessible to persons with disabilities.