"Senior Legal Counsel"

Job Summary

The University System of Georgia (USG) is accepting applications for two Senior Legal Counsels. These positions will provide shared legal services to several state colleges within USG that do not currently have on-campus legal affairs offices. The legal services will range from such areas as contracts to employment matters to student issues. The positions will report to an Associate Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs in the USO.

Responsibilities

• Provides shared legal services to several state colleges within USG that do not currently have on-campus legal affairs offices
• Reviews, negotiates, and drafts contracts
• Advises on a range of legal matters such as those related to employment matters and student issues
• Identifies and prioritizes the response to various areas of legal risk and establishes a clearly understood framework for legal policies
• Advises senior management on legal issues related to transactional and commercial matters
• Confers with system employees on matter involving legal interpretations and decisions related to institutional activities, policy questions and operating problems
• Conducts research on state and federal legislation and administrative and court decisions; investigates legal problems and makes recommendations
• Drafts, reviews and approves policies and procedures, bylaws, and other documents within legal specialty areas
• Educates system employees on relevant state and federal laws, policies, procedures, and regulations
• Provides legal counsel and support to system departments and divisions
• Reviews and analyzes proposed legislation
• Performs related duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school
• Current member of the Georgia Bar, or another state's bar and able to become licensed in the State of Georgia within one year after date of hire
• At least five years of experience practicing law

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in government and/or higher education is preferred but not required.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Ability to work with many varying constituents, including but not limited to the Board of Regents, the Chancellor, the Chancellor's senior staff, Presidents of institutions within the University System of Georgia and their administrators
• Knowledge of board-level governance, functions, and relationships and history
• Knowledge of federal and state laws, rules and regulations impacting higher education
• Knowledge of state ethics and government transparency regulations
• Skill in written communication with executive and subject matter expert audiences and the news media
• Skill in collaborating with multiple constituents
• Skill in decision-making and problem-solving
• Skill in interpersonal relations and in dealing with the public
• Skills in oral and written communication
• Ability to conduct investigations and articulate findings and results of investigations
• Ability to respond diplomatically to sensitive and critical issues
• Ability to effectively multi-task

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.