Assistant/Associate General Counsel

Baylor University; Waco, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Baylor University, a premier Christian research university in Waco, TX, seeks an experienced attorney to join the Office of General Counsel as Assistant or Associate General Counsel. You will provide strategic legal guidance to leadership, administrators, and departments on a wide range of higher education matters.

The role involves advising on contracts, governance, compliance, and risk, plus leading or supporting litigation and outside counsel when needed.

Qualifications

• J.D. from ABA-accredited law school is required.
• Licensed to practice law in Texas or able to obtain Texas licensure.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible legal experience for Assistant General Counsel.
• Minimum of ten (10) years for Associate General Counsel.
• Experience advising organizational leadership and drafting/negotiating contracts.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and counsel to University leaders, departments, colleges, and administrative units.
• Draft, review, negotiate, and interpret contracts, policies and other legal documents.
• Advise on matters including student affairs, compliance, governance, privacy, risk management, and Title IX.
• Support or lead litigation management, investigations, and engagement of outside counsel.
• Assist with policy development, regulatory compliance and risk management initiatives.
• Deliver legal training and guidance to University stakeholders.
• Monitor emerging legal and regulatory developments affecting higher education and advise leadership.
• Perform all other duties to support Baylor’s mission.
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance.

Skills

Legal counsel experience

Contract negotiation

Regulatory compliance

Policy development

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.) from ABA-accredited law school

Job description

A humble college founded before Texas was astate,Baylor now stands as one of the premier institutions of higher education in the world. Baylor has continued to invest in research and doctoral education, both solidifying and elevating its unique status as a preeminent Christian research university. Baylor is among 187 R1 institutions, just 52 of which are private universities.

Since 2011, Baylor has been named as one of the nation’s “Great Colleges to Work For”. Great Colleges to Work For® is one of the country’s largest and most respected workplace recognition programs. Each year, Great Colleges recognizes the colleges and universities that get top employee ratingsregardingworkplace practices and policies across 10 areas. This recognition is based on faculty and staff responses to a related annual survey. Thesurvey,conducted byModernThink, is a way for colleges and universities to gain a deeper understanding of how their employees experience and view various aspects of the institution. This continued recognition further affirms Baylor as a rewarding place to build a career.

What We’re Looking For

Baylor University seeks an experienced attorney to join the Office of General Counsel as either an Assistant or Associate General Counsel. The successful candidate will provide legal counsel and strategic guidance to University leadership, administrators, and departments on a broad range of legal and regulatory matters affecting higher education.

The Office of General Counsel serves as a strategic partner to Baylor University in advancing the institution’s Christian mission while managing legal risk and supporting the University’s academic, research, operational, and strategic objectives.

Baylor University reserves the right to hire at either the Assistant General Counsel or Associate General Counsel level, depending on the qualifications of the selected candidate, experience, demonstrated competencies, subject‑matter expertise, and the ability to perform the responsibilities associated with each level. Minimum qualifications for each level are outlined below.

Assistant General Counsel

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA‑accredited law school
• Licensed to practice law and in good standing in Texas, or ability to obtain Texas licensure within a reasonable period following hire
• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible legal experience
• Demonstrated experience advising organizational clients and drafting and negotiating contracts and legal agreements
• Strong legal research, analytical, communication, and problem‑solving skills

Associate General Counsel

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA‑accredited law school
• Licensed to practice law and in good standing in Texas
• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible legal experience
• Demonstrated experience advising executive leadership and independently managing complex legal matters
• Significant experience negotiating sophisticated agreements and resolving high‑risk legal issues
• Strong strategic thinking, leadership, communication, and relationship‑management skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education, healthcare, governmental, nonprofit, other complex institutional environments, or advising such entities as external counsel in a law firm
• Experience advising on employment, governance, regulatory compliance, student affairs, athletics, healthcare, research compliance, intellectual property, real estate, or related legal matters
• Experience managing outside counsel and litigation strategy
• Demonstrated ability to balance legal risk with practical business and operational considerations

Applicants must currentlybe authorized towork in the United States on a Full-Time basis.

What You Will Do

• Provide legal advice and counsel to University leaders, departments, colleges, and administrative units
• Draft, review, negotiate, and interpret contracts, agreements, policies and other legal documents
• Advise on a wide variety of matters, possibly including student affairs, compliance, governance, privacy, risk management, academic affairs, Title IX, civil rights, accommodations and other areas relevant to higher education
• Support or lead litigation management, investigations, administrative proceedings, dispute resolution, and the engagement of outside counsel
• Assist with policy development, regulatory compliance and institutional risk management initiatives
• Deliver legal training and guidance to University stakeholders
• Monitor emerging legal and regulatory developments affecting higher education and advise University leadership accordingly
• Perform all other duties as assigned to support Baylor’s mission
• Ability to comply with University policies
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance

Additional Responsibilities at the Associate General Counsel Level

• Serve as lead counsel on complex, high‑impact, and institution‑wide legal matters.
• Advise executive leadership, including vice presidents, deans, and governing boards.
• Lead significant negotiations, strategic initiatives, and major institutional projects.
• Develop legal strategy for complex litigation, investigations, and enterprise‑wide legal matters.
• Mentor attorneys, legal staff, and law clerks within the Office of General Counsel.

What You Can Expect

As part of the Baylor family, eligible employees receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, generous time off, tuition remission, and outstanding automatic retirement contributions. Baylor has a comprehensive benefits plan that supports you and your family’s wellbeing and allows you to be a part of the life of a vibrant and active college campus.To learn more, go to Baylor Benefits & Advantages.

Explore & Engage

Learn more aboutBaylorand our strategic vision,Baylor in Deeds.Also, explore our great hometown ofWacoand the many opportunities toengage locally. If you are new to Central Texas,This is Waco!