General Counsel

OVERVIEW

Gallaudet University, federally chartered in 1864, is a bilingual, diverse, and multicultural institution of higher education dedicated to the intellectual and professional advancement of Deaf and hard of hearing individuals through American Sign Language and English. Gallaudet maintains a proud tradition of research and scholarly activity and prepares graduates for career opportunities in a highly competitive, technological, and rapidly changing world. As part of the university, the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center is a federally funded center that operates exemplary elementary and secondary education programs for deaf and hard of hearing students as well as national outreach programs which develop and disseminate innovative curricula, instructional techniques, and products nationwide, and provide information, training, and technical assistance to parents and professionals serving children from birth through age 21.

Job Details

Job Title: General Counsel

Worker Type: Regular

Pay Type: Salary

Exempt Status: Yes

Compensation Grade (Track/Level): E2

Hiring Range (Commensurate with experience and qualifications): $183,582.00-$244,776.00

Salary Ranges: All Compensation Grades

Supervisory Organization (Department): Office of the General Counsel

Summary

Reporting to the President, the General Counsel serves as Gallaudet University's principal legal advisor, including for Clerc Center, and provides strategic counsel on institutional strategy, legal matters, governance, compliance, litigation, and legal risk management to protect the University's interests and advance its mission.

Job Description

• Advises the President, Board of Trustees, Executive Team, and other University leadership on legal matters, institutional governance, policies, and strategic decisions.
• Interprets applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including those affecting higher education, civil rights, employment, privacy, research, contracts, and intellectual property.
• Prepares and reviews legal reports, correspondence, presentations, and materials for the Executive Team and the Board of Trustees.
• Coordinates legal matters across the University and provides practical guidance on complex, controversial, and high‑profile issues.
• Directs the University's legal representation in litigation, administrative proceedings, investigations, claims, and disputes.
• Reviews University contracts and agreements involving employment, procurement, real estate, technology, sponsored research, external sales, and other institutional activities.
• Assesses legal risks and develops strategies to protect the University's interests, prevent disputes, and ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies.
• Establishes and maintains appropriate legal safeguards and internal controls while promoting consistent application of University policies and procedures.
• Supports a culture of compliance, restorative justice, and conflict resolution when violations occur, whether actual or perceived.
• Provides supervision to staff; provides ongoing feedback to all employees, including student workers; completes the annual performance evaluations for each regular status and extended temporary staff; sets goals and expectations for each staff; resolves workplace conflicts in a timely manner and seeks support from Human Resources or the Office of Equal Opportunity Program, if needed; promotes a safe and healthy work environment; and ensures professional development opportunities are provided to each regular status and extended temporary staff.
• Ensures the delivery of high‑quality, timely, and cost‑effective legal services through effective management of internal resources and outside counsel.
• Manages outside counsel selection, engagement, contracts, and budgets.
• Develops and oversees the legal budget and provides reports to the President and, as appropriate, the Board of Trustees.
• Promotes legal awareness across campus through training, clear guidance, and collaboration with university leaders and administrators.
• Builds collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, students, trustees, alumni, donors, government agencies, community leaders, and external partners.
• Monitors national legal developments affecting higher education and consults with relevant professional associations and legal organizations.
• Maintains membership in the National Association of College and University Attorneys and other organizations as requested.
• Establishes and maintains a positive and supportive working relationship with co‑workers and supervisors.
• Demonstrates a genuine commitment to belonging in the workplace and participates in activities and workshops to foster continuous learning.
• Serves as a mandatory rep