SUS | General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer

Application Deadline: October 16, 2026

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The General Counsel serves as the Chief Legal Officer of the Southern University System and reports directly to the President as a member of the President’s Cabinet. The General Counsel provides legal counsel and strategic advice to the Board of Supervisors, President, Chancellors, and senior leadership on matters affecting the System and its campuses.

In addition to serving as the System’s principal legal advisor, the General Counsel provides executive leadership and oversight of legal affairs, compliance, risk management, governance, and related administrative functions to advance the strategic priorities of the Southern University System. The position is responsible for implementing and managing key initiatives, coordinating legal and compliance activities across the System, supervising internal legal staff and external counsel, and ensuring responsive, effective legal services in support of institutional operations and governance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Executive Leadership and Governance

• Serve as a member of the President’s Cabinet and provide strategic legal counsel on institutional priorities, governance matters, and executive decision-making.
• Advise the Board of Supervisors, President, Chancellors, and senior administrators on legal, regulatory, compliance, and risk management matters.
• Serve as a member of the System Policy Committee and review proposed policies, procedures, and regulations, making recommendations to the President and Board as appropriate.
• Brief the Board of Supervisors on legal matters, including tenure, promotion, disciplinary, and termination appeals.
• Collaborate with campus Chancellors and senior leadership to resolve legal issues and develop processes that promote effective and efficient legal services across the System.

Legal Affairs and Risk Management

• Provide legal counsel and representation on matters involving labor and employment, higher education law, governance, contracts, procurement, real estate, intellectual property, public records, litigation, and regulatory compliance.
• Manage and oversee litigation involving both Office of Risk Management-covered and non-covered claims, coordinating with external counsel as necessary.
• Provide legal guidance regarding faculty, staff, student, and administrative grievance matters.
• Advise the President and Board of Supervisors on matters involving retention, tenure, promotion, and related appeals processes.
• Advise and support Human Resources in responding to and defending Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charges, employment litigation, and other workplace-related claims.
• Respond to and coordinate matters involving Office for Civil Rights complaints and investigations.

Compliance and Regulatory Oversight

• Provide executive oversight of the Office of Compliance and related compliance functions across the System.
• Ensure institutional compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies.
• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for programs related to ethics, Title IX, ADA, Clery Act compliance, disability services, and other regulatory requirements.

Governmental and Legislative Affairs

• Monitor and analyze legislative, regulatory, and public policy developments impacting higher education and the Southern University System.
• Provide legal analysis and strategic guidance regarding pending legislation, governmental affairs, and regulatory initiatives.
• Coordinate with governmental entities, elected officials, and external stakeholders on legal and policy matters affecting the System.

Intellectual Property and Strategic Initiatives

• Oversee implementation of the Southern University System's trademark, licensing, and intellectual property programs.
• Provide legal oversight and strategic guidance related to branding, licensing agreements, and the protection of institutional assets.
• Oversee, advise, and coordinate the legal and strategic activities of the Southern University Economic Development District (SUEDD), ensuring alignment with the mission and strategic priorities of the System.

Athletics Legal Affairs

• Provide legal, strategic, and operational counsel to the Department of Athletics on matters involving NCAA regulations, conference rules, governance, contracts, NIL, risk management, and student-athlete affairs.

Emergency Management and Crisis Response

• Serve as a member of the System’s emergency response and crisis management team.
• Provide legal counsel and strategic guidance related to emergency preparedness, incident response, business continuity, crisis communications, and institutional risk mitigation.

Supervision

• Directly supervise staff attorneys, compliance personnel, and other assigned employees.
• Manage relationships with external legal counsel and specialized consultants.
• Establish performance expectations and ensure the effective delivery of legal and compliance services.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Admission to practice law and membership in good standing with a state bar association; eligibility for admission in Louisiana required.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible executive-level legal experience, preferably in higher education, government, the public sector, or a similarly complex organization.

HOW TO APPLY:

Interested applicants must complete a Southern University employment Application.

• External applicants can apply here.
• Current Southern University employees should apply here.

APPLICATIONS SHOULD INCLUDE:

• A cover letter detailing experience and alignment with the role.
• A curriculum vitae (CV) or resume highlighting expertise and accomplishments.
• Three (3) professional references.

Point of Contact:

Donovan Segura

Associate Vice Chancellor for Compliance

Donovan.Segura@sus.edu

A criminal background check and reference verification are required.

EEO/ADA Statement: The Southern University System complies with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other federal, state, and local laws. Southern University and A&M College forbids discriminating or harassing conduct that is based on an individual’s race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, national origin or ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, veteran or military status, membership in uniformed services, and all other categories protected by applicable federal and state laws. This commitment applies to but is not limited to decisions concerning hiring and promotion, the administration of educational programs and policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic or other college-administered programs. Discriminatory acts of any kind are strictly forbidden.

Organization

What began, as a dream in 1880 is today a living legacy of determination, commitment, and success. The Southern University and A&M College System is the only historically black university system in America.

The SU System has a diverse enrollment and is a leader in graduate and undergraduate level education through quality four-year, graduate, professional, and research programs among its five Louisiana campuses. SU is among the top producers of African-American graduates in combined disciplines of engineering, technology, business, computer science, nursing, and mathematics. Widespread accomplishments of Southern University faculty and alumni have positively impacted society at every level.

With a strong foundation, a proven record of achievement, and a fresh vision for the future, Southern University's charge to advance the mission of its founders' remains at the heart of our administrators, faculty, students, and alumni.

Southern University opened its doors in 1880 in New Orleans, Louisiana, with 12 students, five faculty members, and a budget totaling $10,000. In 1914, the University was relocated to Louisiana's capital city - Baton Rouge.

The Southern University and A&M College System was created by the state legislature under the management of the Southern University Board of Supervisors. The University expanded to other cities in the state, establishing Southern University, New Orleans (SUNO), Southern University, Shreveport (SUSLA), the Southern University Law Center, and the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center (SUAREC).

Campuses within the Southern University System are accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097; telephone number - 404.679.4501) to award certificate, associate, baccalaureate, master's, doctorate, and professional degrees. Southern University Law Center is accredited by both the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the American Bar Association (750 N. Lakeshore Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60611; telephone number - 312.988.6738).