SENIOR LEGAL OFFICER & MANAGING ATTORNEY - HEALTHCARE

Posting Number: SRGV8399

Number of Vacancies: 1

Location: McAllen, Texas

Department: Legal Affairs

FLSA: Exempt

Scope of Job:

An individual contributor and manager of a team of attorney(s) and risk-management staff handling a broad range of legal work for the University on a full array of regulatory/compliance, risk management, transactional, academic (student/trainee), and litigation-related issues associated with medical, podiatric, or allied-health practices and education.

Description of Duties:

• Provide accurate, knowledgeable, and timely legal advice based on experience, research and analysis on a broad range of transactional, regulatory/compliance, risk management, academic (student/trainee) and litigation-related issues arising in medical, podiatric, and allied-health education and related clinical practice(s), and on UTRGV's current or future affiliation(s) with external group practices or hospital(s) (including, without limitation: Stark and Anti-Kickback; HIPAA; provider reimbursements, including governmental and private payors; accreditation-related issues; false claims; tax; anti-trust; tissue or organ transplantation; collections; risk management; licensure and credentialing; and investigation and management of potentially compensable events and malpractice or negligence claims).
• Ensure all aspects of the University's medical, podiatric, and allied-health clinical practices meet applicable regulatory requirements.
• Attract, develop, retain, and manage a team of healthcare attorney(s) and risk-management personnel working under limited supervision to advise the University administration, school(s), and clinical departments on regulatory/compliance, risk management, transactional, academic (student/trainee), and litigation-related issues arising in medical and allied-health education and related clinical practice(s), and on UTRGV's current or future affiliation(s) with external group practices or hospital(s).
• Manage workload efficiently among the healthcare team to maximize productivity; ensure the healthcare team timely completes a high volume legal/risk-management work while delivering excellent client service, sound legal advice, and quality work product.
• Collaborate with general-legal attorneys as well as University administrators and executive leadership to achieve University objectives and advance institutional missions and strategic priorities in compliance with law.
• Oversee and manage all malpractice claims and lawsuits filed against the University and its employees or learners; conduct pre-litigation investigation, discovery, motions practice, mediation, trial preparation, and appeals; ensure effective coordination between the University, the Office of General Counsel at UT System, and the Attorney General or other outside counsel.
• Draft and review legal documents including without limitation contracts, memoranda of law, policies, procedures, and litigation-related documents.
• Support and provide legal advice for strategic planning, development and maintenance of clinical operations for the medical, podiatric, and allied-health practices.
• Establish and maintain positive, effective working relationships within the Office of Legal Affairs, with UTRGV administrators and executive leadership, The University of Texas System, the Texas Attorney General's Office (or other outside counsel), affiliated health systems and the local community.
• Ensure that the Chief Legal Officer and, as necessary, University administrators or executive leadership, The UT System Office of General Counsel or the Texas Attorney General's Office (or other outside counsel) are made aware of and kept informed of developments in projects and activities.
• Effectively prioritize and complete duties within designated time frames.
• Maintain awareness of developments in areas of law affecting the University through review of current legal literature, networking, and attending conferences and seminars.
• Assists on a limited basis, and only as needed, with general legal issues affecting the University, including without limitation public information, student and employee issues.
• Participate on various healthcare or institutional committees as necessary or assigned.
• Conduct legal presentations and training to faculty and staff as necessary or assigned.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Supervision Received: General supervision from assigned supervisor.

Supervision Given: Direct supervision of assigned staff.

Required Education: J.D. from ABA accredited law school.

Preferred Education: None.

Licenses/Certifications: Licensed attorney in the State of Texas Upon Hire.

Required Experience: Five (5) years of professional legal experience performing transactional and regulatory healthcare law practice.

Preferred Experience: Experience practicing law at an academic medical center or other institution of higher education or representing governmental agencies.

Equipment: Use of standard office equipment.

Working Conditions: Needs to be able to successfully perform all required duties. Office environment; some travel and weekend work is required. UTRGV is a distributed institution, which may require presence at multiple locations throughout the Rio Grande Valley. This position offers flexibility to be located in the Rio Grande Valley or be performed remote in accordance with UTRGV policies. A remote candidate needs to be willing to attend in-person meetings, team events, or project-specific work as needed. We anticipate in-office presence on a quarterly basis or as business needs require after reasonable notice. Travel or commuting expenses to and from the office will not be reimbursed by UTRGV. If the work is performed remote, high-speed internet and a designated workspace are required.

Other: Work requires broad substantive legal knowledge and the ability to analyze a wide range of issues impacting a complex academic medical center. Work requires ability to read, write, analyze, issue spot, and coordinate effectively with multiple individuals, teams and offices to accomplish goals. Work requires effective written and oral communication skills and the ability to develop legal opinions, memoranda, presentations, policies and other work product that is accurate and high quality. Work requires a high degree of professionalism and the ability to function independently as a practicing attorney and as the supervisor of a team of attorneys. Work requires telephone and personal contact with all levels of internal and external personnel and organizations. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a high degree of professionalism, maturity, discretion, and integrity in dealing with individuals at all levels of the University as well as external group practices or hospitals. Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills, ability to manage multiple demands, respond effectively within tight deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities and needs while maintaining a strong commitment to customer service and teamwork.

Physical Capabilities: N/A

Employment Category: Full-Time

Minimum Salary: Commensurate with Experience

Posted Salary: Commensurate with Experience

Position Available Date: 07/15/2025

Grant Funded Position: No