University Counsel

Office of the President

JOB SUMMARY:

The University Counsel is responsible for overseeing and managing all legal affairs and providing strategic legal counsel to the Board of Trustees, the President, the senior administration, and the university community. This role ensures that the institution's operations, policies, and decisions are in compliance with all local, state (especially New York), and federal laws and regulations, in support of the university's mission of teaching, research, and service.

SALARY INFORMATION:

In compliance with New York's Pay Transparency Act, the annual base salary range for this position is $175,000 - $225,000. Adelphi University considers factors such as departmental budgets, scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. An annual base salary higher than the range may be warranted in circumstances where a candidate has demonstrable equivalent prior higher education experience at another University.

Adelphi University provides a comprehensive benefit package for faculty and staff employees. For a list of benefits provided to employees, please click here.

REPORTS TO:

Interim President

RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

1. Serve as the primary legal advisor to the President, Board of Trustees, and senior leadership.
2. Provide timely, practical guidance on a wide range of legal and policy matters affecting higher education, including labor and employment, collective bargaining, student affairs, research, data privacy, real estate and facilities, intellectual property and technology, governance, and nonprofit and tax law, and risk related matters.
3. Lead comprehensive regulatory compliance and manage enterprise risk management efforts across the University.
4. Ensure adherence to federal, state, and local requirements, including Title IX, Clery, FERPA, ADA/Section 504, New York labor laws, and other higher education regulations.
5. Develop and deliver training for institutional stakeholders on legal and compliance issues.
6. Provide executive and legal oversight of the Title IX Office, ensuring alignment with applicable federal and New York State laws and regulations and institutional policies.
7. Provide administrative supervision of the Title IX Office, including oversight of staffing structure, recruitment and hiring processes, performance management, and professional development of Title IX personnel.
8. Advise on collective bargaining strategy, contract interpretation, and labor-management relations in compliance with New York labor laws.
9. Provide legal guidance on grievances, arbitrations, and labor disputes involving unionized employees.
10. Oversee and advise on internal HR investigations and grievance matters involving employee misconduct, discrimination, or policy violations.
11. Assess legal risk and support resolution and disciplinary decisions in complex or high-exposure cases.
12. Provide legal guidance on accreditation filings, regulatory submissions, and related compliance obligations.
13. Support crisis prevention and response strategies.
14. Advise on corporate governance matters for the university and its affiliates, including board resolutions and governance documents, and participate in Board and committee meetings as needed.
15. Provide advice and oversight, where necessary, to the Contract Management Team in review, drafting and negotiation of contracts and transactional documents for the University.
16. When needed, draft, review and negotiate construction contracts, vendor agreements, lease and space use agreements in support of campus operations and expansion, and facilities-related documents.
17. Ensure agreements align with legal standards and institutional priorities.
18. Manage all litigation, administrative proceedings, and internal disputes.
19. Select, direct, and evaluate outside counsel and oversee the university's legal strategy in courts and regulatory forums.
20. Oversee management of University Policy Library. Review, draft, and interpret university-wide policies, procedures, and bylaws. Ensure policies reflect current law, promote consistency, and support institutional goals.
21. Lead the Office of General Counsel. Oversee staffing, workload, professional development, performance evaluation, and departmental budgeting.
22. Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities):

1. Thorough knowledge of the legal and regulatory landscape impacting universities in New York and the United States (e.g., Title IX, ADA, FERPA, state labor laws).
2. Strong strategic thinking skills with the ability to translate legal analysis into practical institutional recommendations.
3. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a track record of working with diverse stakeholders across large, complex organizations.
4. Proven leadership in managing a legal team, prioritizing work, and overseeing outside counsel when necessary.
5. Sound judgment, ethical integrity, professionalism, and confidence advising senior leadership on high-stakes matters.
6. Ability to handle multiple priorities and balance ongoing operational needs with strategic challenges.

EDUCATIONAL/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

1. Juris Doctorate from an ABA-accredited law school is required.
2. Admission to the New York State Bar or eligibility to be admitted upon hire is required.
3. Five to ten years of progressively responsible legal experience is required.
4. Experience in higher education is strongly preferred.
5. Demonstrated success in a senior legal leadership role, such as General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, or equivalent experience managing legal matters for large, regulated entities.

POSITION(S) SUPERVISED:

1. Chief of Community Concerns and Resolution and Title IX Coordinator.
2. Deputy Title IX Coordinator.
3. Investigations and Compliance Specialist - PT.

ABOUT ADELPHI:

Located just 23 miles from New York City, Adelphi is a private university in the midst of one of the most dynamic phases of its 129-year history. With strong enrollments, an increasingly diverse student body and faculty, expanding academic programs, and growing financial and administrative strength, Adelphi is being transformed just as it is transforming the lives of its students through its personalized approach to higher education.

Recognized as a Best College by U.S. News & World Report, Adelphi is Long Island's oldest private coeducational university, serving more than 7,300 students at its beautiful main campus in Garden City, at learning hubs in Manhattan, the Hudson Valley and Suffolk County, and online. Adelphi offers exceptional liberal arts and sciences programs and professional training, with particular strength in our Core Four-Arts and Humanities, STEM and Social Sciences, the Business and Education Professions, and Health and Wellness. Adelphi University is a highly awarded, nationally ranked, powerfully connected doctoral research university known for small classes with world-class faculty, hands-on learning and innovative ways to support academic and career success.

With powerful partnerships throughout the New York area, more than 123,000 graduates around the country, a growing enrollment of students from 44 states and 63 countries, and rising rankings from top publications and organizations, Adelphi is strongly positioned for the future.

The University is a doctorate-granting institution with eight colleges and schools and more than 225 different degrees at the bachelor's, master's, doctoral and professional levels.