Assistant General Counsel

General Counsel

Search 1442 - Posted August 10, 2023

Reporting to the General Counsel, the Assistant General Counsel will be responsible for proactively identifying areas of potential legal risk and liability and for assisting with the multitude of day-to-day legal needs common to higher education institutions, including regulatory compliance, reviewing and drafting contracts, student matters, employee matters, policy administration, conducting investigations, Title IX, ADA/Section 504, Title VI, Title VII, compliance, and corporate governance to name a few. General areas of practice include employment, contracts, compliance, litigation, governance, and other transactional legal work.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Works directly with and provides guidance and support at the direction of the General Counsel.
• Represent and/or support the university's interests in judicial and quasi-judicial proceedings, arbitrations and internal hearings, including but not limited to, research and review legal authority and related materials to develop strategy, conduct and/or assist with discovery, and supervise or collaborate with retained outside counsel or Office of the Kansas Attorney General.
• Advise on legal issues relating to employment, employee benefits, Title VI, Title VII, FLSA, FMLA, employee grievances and disciplinary actions, and other employment-related issues.
• Advise on legal issues relating to the Kansas Tort Claims Act and insurance coverages.
• Collaborate with university units to negotiate, prepare, review, and draft institutional contracts and collaborate with the Contract Manager throughout the contract review process.
• Assist with, and/or respond to, Kansas Open Records Act (KORA) requests.
• Assist with, and/or develop and defend, cases through EEOC, OCR, and DHR administrative processes and informal or formal investigations.
• Provide legal advice on various aspects of immigration law affecting employees.
• Provide counsel on legal issues involving students, including Title IX compliance and administrative processes, athletics, admission and financial aid, disability accommodations, student records and FERPA, and student discipline.
• Collaborate with appropriate university units (including but not limited to, student, faculty, and staff shared governance units) to develop, revise, interpret, and apply university and Kansas Board of Regents’ policies and procedures.
• Assist with, and/or provide legal advice related to, compliance and enterprise risk management.
• Conduct legal research as directed and/or prepare internal legal opinions from the Office of General Counsel to other university units.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited American Bar Association law school.
• Kansas State bar license or able to obtain a Kansas State bar license within 6 months of hire.
• At least 2 – 5+ years of legal experience preferred, ideally in higher education, employment law, risk/compliance, and/or contracts and other areas of transactional law.
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues and persons throughout the university to achieve desirable and consistent results.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, collegiality, and ability to work professionally under pressure, using sound judgment and critical thinking.
• Keen ability to evaluate information with demonstrated attention to detail sufficient to consistently achieve desired results.
• Successful candidates should have a knowledge of and commitment to the mission, values, and strategic plan of the university.

COMPENSATION:

• Salary: $56k- $85k commensurate with experience. 
• Emporia State University offers a generous benefit package. Find out more about our health benefits, retirement options, paid time off, dependent and spouse tuition waiver program, and many other benefits at this link.

APPLY:

To apply, upload a letter of interest, resume, and contact information for at least three professional references here.

A background check and official transcripts are required prior to hire.

Review of Application Materials will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

For more information

Jose Pavon

HR Professional

jpavon@emporia.edu

620-341-6033

Emporia State University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, gender, sex, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as an individual with a disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other factors which cannot be considered by law.