Assistant/Associate General Counsel

Job Title:

Assistant/Associate General Counsel

Full or Part Time:

Full time

Hours:

40

Exempt:

Yes

Supervisory Org:

Legal Affairs (PM)

Job Description:

JOB SUMMARY:  The Assistant/Association General Counsel reports to the Vice President for Legal Affairs and supports the work of the Office of the General Counsel in contracts administration, policy drafting, legal research and analysis, compliance and investigations oversight and advice, litigation support, and related legal functions.  The Assistant/Associate General Counsel provides a full range of legal support functions on varied and complex duties, tasks, and projects supporting Saginaw Valley State University, and serves as a key resource to University leadership, departments, and the Board of Control.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Assistant/Associate General Counsel function includes the following broad responsibilities:

 

• Review, draft, and negotiate contracts and affiliation agreements on behalf of the University. Advise departments on contractual rights, obligations, and risk.

• Research and interpret laws and regulations applicable to University programs, policies and procedures. Advise leaders on compliance investigations and provide assistance with legal issues.

• Monitor legislative and regulatory activity to stay appraised of changes and modifications in laws that affect University programs, and work to incorporate changes in policies, regulations, and procedures to ensure continued compliance by the University.

• Assist the General Counsel in managing litigation and administrative agency proceedings.  Support preparation of legal strategy, coordinate case-related activities, and assist with responses to legal claims and administrative complaints. Prepare correspondence, memoranda, notes, reports, pleadings, subpoenas, affidavits, legal briefs, and other documents necessary to respond to court and administrative agency requirements.

• Ensure appropriate and timely responses to Michigan Freedom of Information Act requests and support record retention policies and procedures.

• Monitor emerging legal developments and trends in higher education law and advise University officials regarding how changes in law may affect current and emerging University business, operations, and policy decisions. 

• Provide legal advice to the Board of Control in the absence of the General Counsel.  Attend Board of Control meetings as needed and assist in preparing legal materials and analysis for Board consideration.

• Maintain confidentiality regarding sensitive issues and information and exercise discretion in dealing with sensitive or potentially sensitive topics consistent with applicable professional and ethical obligations.

• Perform additional job-related duties as assigned or as appropriate.

 

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

General supervision is received from Vice President for Legal Affairs and General Counsel

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law in Michigan or admissible in Michigan within six months of hire.
• Minimum of five (5) years of broad general legal practice in a private, public, or non-profit setting; or a minimum of three (3) years of legal practice with demonstrated, specific experience in a compliance-focused role or in a higher education institution.
• Experience reviewing, drafting, and negotiating contracts.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex information into easily digestible formats.
• Proven ability to effectively communicate legal language and analysis to non-lawyers, including when conveying unpleasant or unwelcome information.
• Demonstrated legal and ethical stature, maturity, competence, and confidence to operate with credibility at the executive level, as well as a professional history of maintaining objectivity while achieving appropriate outcomes. 
• Proven ability to work independently, manage numerous projects simultaneously, and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to use sound independent judgment and professional integrity.
• Proven record of providing prompt and effective research, analytical, and writing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain professional collaborative relationships with diverse groups across an organization, as well as stakeholders and community members.
• Experience and ability to positively interact with all members of the campus community
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodation.

 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS TO QUALIFY FOR ASSOICATE GENERAL COUNSEL:

• Ability to manage, prepare and file employer-based visa petitions and applications for faculty, including advising on immigration matters and coordinating with outside legal counsel as appropriate.
• Professional, legal experience working in a higher education or government setting or in multiple areas of law relevant to higher education, including but not limited to: Michigan constitutional autonomy; governmental immunity; First Amendment law; civil rights law; employment and labor law; athletics; student affairs; sexual misconduct; technology; intellectual property; accreditation; insurance law; international programs and activities; compliance; construction and real estate law; or research-related legal issues.
• Extensive experience conducting investigations, litigating cases or engaging in labor relations.

 

WORKING ENVIRONMENT & EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS:

• Duties are generally performed inside and not exposed to adverse conditions.
• All work associated with this role must be performed within the state of Michigan.

 

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and throughout their employment. The university does not provide employment visa sponsorship now or in the future for this job classification.  Since SVSU does not participate in E-Verify, candidates for employment are not eligible for STEM OPT extensions.

  

The above reflects the general details considered necessary to describe the essential functions of the job. It shall not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements that may be inherent in the job.  It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision.  The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or level of difficulty.

About SVSU:

Saginaw Valley State University is a comprehensive university with more than 100 programs of study for its roughly 7,000 students. Located on a suburban campus in Michigan’s Great Lakes Bay Region, SVSU is committed to a supportive and empowering environment for students, faculty and staff. SVSU has been named a “Great College to Work For” on nine separate occasions.

SVSU emphasizes undergraduate teaching and learning, and community-based research. SVSU has twice earned the Community Engagement classification from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, a distinction achieved by only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities. By their senior year, 84 percent of students have engaged with community employers and agencies in internships, field placements or some other component of their academic preparation.

SVSU is establishing itself as a leader in STEAM education for the Great Lakes Bay Region, partnering with businesses, foundations and school districts to improve students’ performance in math, science and the arts at the middle school, high school and university levels.  SVSU is constructing the first university research facility on Lake Huron to improve public health and the economy in the Saginaw Bay watershed.
 
More than 70 percent of SVSU freshmen live on campus in student housing that is rated No. 2 among all public universities in the U.S. SVSU fields 21 varsity sports at the NCAA Division II level. The average class size is 23 students. For more information, please visit our website, http://www.svsu.edu.