Associate General Counsel

Details:

Posted: Monday, October 2, 2023
Level: Management / Confidential (Executive 1)
Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week
Closing Date: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, with materials submitted by 5:00pm (EST) on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 , receiving priority consideration.

System Office
61 Woodland Street
Hartford, CT 06105

**This position is not remote**

Anticipated Start Date:

December 2023

The Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) Associate General Counsel is a professional member of the Office of General Counsel (OGC). OGC provides legal research, analysis, and legal services to the CSCU System Office and the constituent Colleges and Universities within the CSCU system. All attorneys of the CSCU Office of General Counsel are expected to work collaboratively within the CSCU system to mitigate legal risks, facilitate efficient business practices, manage a wide variety of complicated issues in a fast-paced higher education environment, exercise independent judgment, and function effectively with internal and external audiences.

The Associate General Counsel will have the opportunity to contribute to the CSCU system's success by providing legal guidance and shaping its domestic and international business relationships, contracting and transactional operations. This role offers a challenging and rewarding environment for an experienced attorney who is passionate about the intersection of law and higher education. This position is based at the CSCU System Office and reports to the CSCU General Counsel.

Incumbents must possess proven ability to effectively work with a culturally, linguistically, and ethnically diverse faculty, staff, and student. They are expected to have excellent oral and written communication skills along with strong Information technology literacy skills such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams etc.)

Under the direction of the CSCU General Counsel, the Associate General Counsel is responsible for effective performance in these essential duties:

• Reviews and maintains currency with laws, rules and regulations affecting higher education and changes to BOR policy and keeps current with legal implications of those changes. Anticipates, identifies and helps to resolve legal and strategic risk management issues. Drafts and reviews BOR policies and procedures, regulations, bylaws, and other documents within legal specialty areas.
• Drafts and negotiates a variety of higher education contracts, including developing form and template agreements in coordination with the Office of the Connecticut State Attorney General.
• Negotiates settlements involving legal issues or transactions on behalf of CSCU in conjunction with other CSCU officials, the General Counsel and the Connecticut State Attorney General, as appropriate.
• Assists in legal due diligence activities related to mergers, international and domestic partnerships and alliances, and other business initiatives undertaken by the CSCU System Office or institutions within the jurisdiction of the BOR.
• Researches and analyzes laws and regulations and prepares legal documents that include memoranda and correspondence. Prepares written and verbal opinions of counsel as needed. Coordinates legal services to departments and divisions within areas of legal specialty. Provides well-rounded expert advice to administrators to develop legal strategies and solutions.
• Educates and develops training materials and other resources as needed for the CSCU community about legal issues and new developments in relevant practice areas. Maintains relevant legal expertise to serve as an OGC and CSCU systemwide resource.
• Represents CSCU before agencies, boards, committees, commissions, and courts in administrative hearings and litigation and/or oversees such representation.
• Represents the Office of General Counsel at meetings and on committees, task forces and work groups as assigned. Represent the CSCU system as needed in interactions with external stakeholders, including government agencies, industry partners, and legal organizations.
• Supports and provides legal counsel to the CSCU Compliance Officer and other administrators in responding to audits by the State Auditors of Public Accounts.
• Assists the General Counsel by providing client-focused and mission-oriented legal services to departments, colleges, officials and employees of CSCU and performs such other related duties as directed by the General Counsel

This posting includes qualifications, experience and skills but is not limited to the full specifications stated in the job description.

Juris Doctor (JD) from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school or Bachelor of Laws (LLB) required.

Incumbents are required to have demonstrated advanced knowledge and abilities in the following:

• License to practice law in the state of Connecticut and be a member of the Connecticut State Bar Association at the time of appointment or, within one (1) year from date of hire, if also a member in good standing of the bar of any other state, be eligible to register in the state of Connecticut as “in-house counsel".
• At least six (6) years of experience as a practicing attorney.
• Minimum of four (4) years of direct relevant experience drafting legal memoranda and drafting and negotiating a variety of contracts.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a significant and varied workload including working on multiple unrelated matters concurrently and completing complex projects independently and with minimal direction.
• Ability to assess a situation accurately and identify legal issues, conduct thorough and detailed legal research and analysis, propose practical solutions, and render timely and practical legal advice; approach work with a professional and pragmatic mindset.
• Ability to analyze risks presented in a wide variety of situations and advise internal clients and stakeholders on acceptable levels of risk and risk mitigation strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret institutional policies, plans, objectives, and relevant state and federal laws, statutes, and regulations and concisely communicate the interpretation to non-legal audiences.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated collaborative and flexible work style in working with diverse groups and populations and ability to build strong working relationships.
• Commitment to upholding ethical standards and maintaining confidentiality.
• Must be able to drive and be willing to travel throughout the State.

Preferred Qualifications:

Demonstrated experience in one or more of the following practice areas:

• Experience in Higher education law.
• Experience with licensing and defense of intellectual property.
• Experience with university research and export controls.
• Experience with IT security and privacy.
• Experience with vendor contract management and procurement.
• Experience with international student recruitment.
• Experience with risk management and insurance.
• Experience with real estate and construction.
• Experience with non-profit or charitable foundations.
• Experience with corporate governance.

$134,661 to $168,327 (midpoint) approximate annual plus excellent State of CT medical insurance, retirement, and related fringe benefits.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family, and plan for a secure future. Benefits include generous leave policies; several retirement plans; and many choices for comprehensive health insurance. You also have access to many additional benefits to save for retirement, protect your family & more with supplemental benefits. Tuition reimbursement may apply if applicable.

To apply you must submit a cover letter and resume.

Incomplete applications will not be considered and links to other sources to view resumes are not acceptable.

Following the closing date, application materials will be evaluated by a selection committee. Candidates selected for further consideration will be limited to those applicants who are best qualified based on the minimum and preferred qualifications and who have submitted all the required documents by the closing date and time listed on the job announcement. Candidates who have been selected and approved to Interview will be contacted, and finalists will be recommended for further consideration by the Hiring Manager for final selection and recommendation for employment. The selection process may also include practical exercises (i.e., teaching demonstration and/or other written, technical, manipulative, or simulation exercises) to evaluate candidates' qualifications.

All employment, if offered, is contingent upon proof of citizenship or employability under the requirement of the Immigration and Control Act (IRCA) and the successful passing of a background check. CSCU is committed to providing a safe campus community. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check and, when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.

CSCC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, learning disability or physical disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or criminal record. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: John-Paul Chaisson-Cardenas, PhD, MSW, Vice-president of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, (jchaisson-cardenas@commnet.edu).

CSCC IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER, M/F

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