Reporting to the University President, the position of General Counsel is responsible for all legal compliance functions for the University. The position provides counsel and representation to the President, Board of Trustees, university administrators, faculty, and staff with respect to all legal matters affecting the University. This position participates in institutional planning and decision-making and implementation of institutional legal and compliance strategies.
GENERAL COUNSEL
The General Counsel will serve as the principal legal advisor for the University, with overall responsibility for the vision and leadership of the University’s legal strategy. Reporting to the President, as a valued member of the senior leadership team and a key strategic advisor, the General Counsel will provide legal advice and counsel to the President, Board of Trustees, senior leadership, and other members of the University community on all legal and other significant matters affecting the University and its stakeholders.
The General Counsel will be a broad generalist with deep expertise in a variety of relevant legal areas and have a demonstrated commitment to the mission of higher education. The successful candidate will be a values-based leader with a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and will lead from a place of inclusivity, respect, and collaboration, embodying the highest ethics and integrity. The General Counsel will exude calm under pressure while managing the complex issues confronting a university of Brandeis’s scale, size, and prominence.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
The General Counsel will have the following responsibilities and opportunities:
- Serve as a strategic thought partner and advisor to the President, Board of Trustees, University officers, deans, and administrators on critical legal issues that impact the University and its various constituencies, representing the university’s best interests at all times.
- Interpret the constitutional, statutory and regulatory framework in which the University operates, managing all outside counsel and litigation and agency complaints, and providing legal and policy advice in a variety of areas within the University, including but not limited to, labor and employment law, enterprise risk management, athletics, student affairs, intellectual property, contracts, organizational governance, sponsored research, statutory and regulatory compliance, drug-free workplace requirements, computer and information technology issues, planned giving, and other areas related to an academic legal environment.
- Oversee the legal review of all university contracts.
- Work closely with the Board of Trustees to advise and counsel on governance matters and other critical legal issues requiring the Trustees’ attention.
- Oversee, manage, and advise on a range of litigation matters and on critical contractual obligations, including legal issues raised within contractual relationships.
- Anticipate issues and risks, sharing pertinent information with the President, senior leadership team, Board of Trustees, and other relevant parties while developing creative solutions to address various legal risks the University may face.
- Lead, manage, and oversee the Office of General Counsel with an eye towards maintaining and enhancing the manner in which legal services are provided to ensure high caliber work and alignment with the President’s vision for the University.
- Keep abreast of compliance/regulatory related changes and educate University constituents on such changes.
- Maintain knowledge and understanding of trends and critical changes in the higher education legal landscape and proactively address the impact of these changes on the University, particularly as they relate to technology, privacy, and cybersecurity.
- Analyze current inventory of legal needs across the University, and manage external legal resources currently in use and constituents currently engaging with legal counsel.
- Advise on various issues impacting Athletics, including NCAA compliance, Title IX, and other related issues.
- Advise on various public safety matters, including the Clery Act, no trespass orders, Title IX, threat assessment, and other safety-related issues impacting the Brandeis community.
- Advise and provide counsel on issues related to academic freedom, freedom of speech and expression.
- Provide clear, creative, and supportive long-term leadership for the Office of General Counsel, assuring that its personnel, structure, culture, and operations best serve the missions and priorities of all major components of Brandeis.
SKILLS AND REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Juris Doctor Degree from an ABA-accredited law school required. Licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is required. Must be a member in good standing with the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers.
- Minimum 10 years relevant legal experience.
- 3-5 years of management experience.
- Experience as a trusted adviser to a CEO/President and governing board.
- Expertise in, and exposure to, legal issues similar to those at Brandeis with familiarity with higher education, academic, research, athletics and student life issues.
- Ability to handle legal issues arising out of sponsored and collaborative research as well as working knowledge in drafting and negotiating contracts for a variety of general business transactions preferred.
- Outstanding written and oral communication skills.
- Litigation experience required.
If you are interested in a role and have relevant experience but your work history does not align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we nevertheless encourage you to apply.
Closing Statement
Brandeis University is committed to providing its students, faculty and staff with an environment conducive to learning and working and where all people are treated with respect and dignity. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, ethnicity, caste, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, including transgender identity, religion, disability, age, genetics, active military or veteran status and any other characteristics protected under applicable federal or Massachusetts law.
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