Assistant General Counsel - University of Oregon
Eugene, OR
About the Job
Department: Office of the General Counsel
Appointment Type and Duration: Regular, Ongoing
Salary: $120,000 - $140,000 per year, commensurate with experience
Compensation Band: OS-OA11-Fiscal Year 2024-2025
FTE: 1.0
Application Review Begins
October 7, 2024; position open until filled
Special Instructions to Applicants
To be considered for this position, applicants must submit a complete application. Complete applications must include a resume and cover letter that address how you meet the minimum and preferred qualifications.
Note that you will be asked to provide names and contact information for three professional references, but candidates will be notified before references are contacted.
We are interested in finding the best candidate for the position. We encourage you to apply, even if you don’t think you meet every one of our preferred qualifications--use your application to let us know what is meaningful to you about the role and what transferable skills or other qualities you would bring.
Department Summary
The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) is a team of legal professionals who manage the legal affairs of the university. Led by the Vice President and General Counsel, there are six full-time attorneys in the office who provide timely, creative, and practical legal advice to university leadership, including the Board of Trustees, President, Provost, vice presidents, vice provosts, deans, and directors on the development and implementation of initiatives in support of the university’s mission. In everything it does, the office seeks to ensure that university leaders are well equipped to navigate higher education’s complex regulatory landscape and to promote a climate of ethical behavior, integrity and accountability.
OGC attorneys are true generalists with working knowledge and expertise in a broad array of practice areas, including labor and employment, intellectual property, civil rights, constitutional law, contracts and real estate, to name a few, and the office is solely responsible for the comprehensive representation of the university’s interests in litigation, administrative proceedings, and business transactions, including engaging outside counsel when prudent.
Position Summary
The Assistant General Counsel works in partnership with senior leaders and administrators across the university to identify and analyze legal issues and risks, present clear and constructive recommendations, and ensure compliance with state, federal, and international laws and regulations. Moreover, the Assistant General Counsel represents and defends the university’s interests, often in high profile matters of intense public scrutiny, before state and federal courts and agencies, including drafting responses or reviewing the work of external counsel and appearing on behalf of the university at hearings and other administrative proceedings, as necessary.
The Assistant General Counsel advises university governance and shared governance bodies and committees in developing policies, procedures and guidelines in accordance with all laws and regulations. This position is expected to keep abreast of legislative and regulatory changes that affect the university’s operations, and to inform and otherwise provide guidance to university leaders regarding the same. The Assistant General Counsel also regularly coordinates with counsel at other public universities in Oregon on issues of mutual concern.
Attorneys in the Office of the General Counsel must have an holistic grasp of the university’s operations as well as a nuanced understating of the university’s position in the context of Eugene, the state of Oregon, and public higher education in the United States.
The Assistant General Counsel works independently on issues ranging from the mundane to the University’s most sensitive matters and their judgement and decisions have broad implications for the entire University; erroneous decisions are likely to have significant adverse legal, financial, reputational and community impact.
The Assistant General Counsel reports to the Vice President and General Counsel. This position does not have budget authority within the Office of General Counsel, however, in providing legal advice to university administrators, this position contributes to financial decisions which broadly impact the University. Moreover, this position has delegated authority to enter into settlement and conciliatory agreements on behalf of the institution.
Minimum Requirements
• A law degree from an accredited law school.
• Be a member of, or qualified for admission to, the Oregon State Bar.
• Three years of recent law practice experience (judicial clerkships count as practice years).
• Substantial expertise in a minimum of one practice area relevant to higher education including, but not limited to: student life, civil rights, state and federal constitutional law, contracts and procurement, public records, public meetings, subpoena and discovery practice, privacy, government employee ethics, labor and employment, immigration, sponsored research, NCAA division one athletics, police and law enforcement, campus safety, threat assessment, data privacy and security, development, governance, technology transfer, business transactions, taxation and public finance, real property, and risk management and insurance.
Professional Competencies
• Impeccable analytical, written and oral communication skills.
• High ethical standards, mature judgment, and discretion. Demonstrated sensitivity to institutional concerns.
• Ability to manage time effectively and handle multiple unrelated matters concurrently, rapidly, and accurately.
• Ability to model customer service principles (listening, empathy, patience, respect, responsiveness) and contribute positively to team dynamics.
• Leadership and interpersonal skills, including the capacity to foster constructive outcomes in a complex environment involving an array of distinct stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and predict potential legal issues or the long-term implications of policy and legal decisions.
• Notable experience furthering equity and inclusion to enable success for people from all walks of life while sharing common fundamental values grounded in justice, civility, and respect while looking to diversity as a source of enrichment and strength.
Preferred Qualifications
• At least two years of experience in higher education, preferably at an AAU public university.
• Substantial expertise in two or more practice areas relevant to higher education.
• Experience with Oregon state law and federal regulations.
• Experience with public law matters, including governmental ethics.
FLSA Exempt: Yes
All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check.
The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit https://hr.uoregon.edu/about-benefits.
The University of Oregon is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the ADA. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please contact us at uocareers@uoregon.edu or 541-346-5112.
UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy (including pregnancy-related conditions), age, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including family medical history), ancestry, familial status, citizenship, service in the uniformed services (as defined in federal and state law), veteran status, expunged juvenile record, and/or the use of leave protected by state or federal law in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy. Questions may be referred to the Office of Investigations and Civil Rights Compliance. Contact information, related policies, and complaint procedures are listed here.
In compliance with federal law, the University of Oregon prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and services. The Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://clery.uoregon.edu/annual-campus-security-and-fire-safety-report.