SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Vice President and General Counsel, the Assistant General Counsel provides legal advice and counsel to University colleagues and leaders on a variety of legal issues.  Primary areas of responsibility include contract drafting, review and negotiation; employment law and employee relations; regulatory compliance, including Title IX; and higher education law.  This position requires excellent interpersonal skills, detail orientation, a commitment to client service, exceptional judgment, and an ability to communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders.  

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The responsibilities of the Assistant General Counsel include:

• Contracts: Drafting, reviewing and negotiating University contracts, in areas including but not limited to, procurement, personal services, professional services, construction, real estate, licensing, non-disclosure and data sharing, and grants. The Assistant General Counsel will need to utilize the University’s cloud-based contract management system.
• Employee Relations: Providing legal advice and guidance to human resources colleagues on a variety of issues including Title VII, Title IX, FMLA, ADA, and ADEA, and assisting with the development of internal policies and procedures.
• Higher Education: Providing legal advice, guidance, and training to campus colleagues regarding key higher education laws and regulations, including Title IX, the Clery Act, FERPA, and applicable state laws. The Assistant General Counsel will also provide guidance on student conduct and honor code matters, issues involving student organizations, including Greek organizations, and will be involved in the annual review of the Standards of Student Conduct and related policies.
• Regulatory Compliance: Provide advice and guidance to internal clients on matters of regulatory compliance, including privacy laws, occupational health and safety regulations, export control laws. The Assistant General Counsel will assist in the development of internal compliance policies and will work in close collaboration with the University’s Director of Compliance.
• Other Matters: Provide legal advice and coordinate the engagement of outside counsel on such other matters as may be necessary, including matters relating to ERISA, immigration, and tax law.
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging: Supports and contributes to the University’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Willingness to learn new areas of law and take on new responsibilities
• Excellent legal research and writing skills
• Ability to create, compose, and edit written materials with careful attention to detail
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community
• Ability to investigate and analyze information and draw conclusions
• Highly Proficient with Microsoft Office products, Adobe Acrobat, internet search engines and ability to learn cloud-based contract management system
• Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment and work independently and under pressure to meet critical deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to maintain a high level of professionalism, confidentiality and efficiency

WORK HOURS:

• Full-time, exempt position
• Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; 7.75 hrs./day; 38.75 hrs./week

SALARY STRUCTURE:
Pay Grade 12 (Hiring Range $110,724.00 to $157,775.00 annually)

COVID-19:

The University of Richmond requires COVID-19 vaccinations for all students, faculty, and staff. The University allows exemptions to this requirement for religious, medical and strong personal conviction reasons. All newly hired employees must report their status within the first two weeks of employment.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Law degree and a minimum of two years of experience in-house, at a law firm, or a government agency. Must be a member of the Virginia Bar or eligible for admission on motion within six months of employment.
• Experience in higher education or with a regulated industry is preferred but not required.