Assistant Counsel

State of Colorado; Boulder (CO); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

No-cost or low-cost medical/dental

Disability, Life, Vision Insurance

Multiple retirement options

Flexible saving accounts

Paid holidays and vacation

Parental leave

Tuition benefit program

Free RTD EcoPass & onsite parking

CU Advantage perks

Job summary

University of Colorado’s System Administration seeks an Assistant Counsel located on the Boulder campus to provide legal advising, review, and analysis for the University of Colorado Boulder. The role involves handling issues across employment, policy, privacy, and governance, while collaborating with a team of attorneys and campus partners.

The candidate will work under the Managing Associate University Counsel and is eligible for a hybrid schedule with in-office and remote work.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate (JD) from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Four (4) years practicing law.
• Licensed to practice law in Colorado, or ability to obtain Colorado license promptly after offer.
• Record of ethical behavior.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice to the Board of Regents, the president, system administration, and campuses.
• Advise on campus and system-wide policies and procedures.
• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts and other legal agreements.
• Represent the University in administrative hearings and investigations.
• Offer holistic advising on employment, records privacy (FERPA), Title IX, and related laws.
• Collaborate with campus partners and participate in committee meetings.

Skills

Legal acumen

Colorado law knowledge

Ethical judgment

Oral and written communication

Interpersonal skills

Problem solving

Multitasking

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Join Our Team and Make a Difference in Higher Education!

At the System Administration office at the University of Colorado, we are dedicated to building a workplace where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to thrive. Our office is committed to fostering a culture where employees find community, a sense of belonging, and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to our mission and purpose.

By joining our team, you’ll have a direct impact on shaping the future of higher education. In addition to the Office of the Board of Regents, the University of Colorado’s system administration includes 19 units that provide essential services to CU’s campuses in Aurora, Boulder, Colorado Springs, and Denver, as well as the Office of the President. While not a part of any one campus, we are proud to serve in the centralized office for the University system. Together, we ensure CU continues to deliver outstanding education, groundbreaking research, and valuable service to our communities.

We believe in creating an environment where the unique experiences and perspectives of everyone are embraced, enriching the work we do and the strategic outcomes we pursue. If you’re passionate about making a difference, contributing to a dynamic team, and supporting a mission that matters, we encourage you to apply and be part of our journey. Learn more about CU System Administration.

Position Summary:

University Counsel has a dual report to the Board of Regents and the President of the University and includes several legal functions that provide an array of services to the University of Colorado system. The Office of the University Counsel provides legal advice to the Board of Regents, the president, system administration and the campuses.

The Assistant Counsel is a member of the professional staff of the University of Colorado’s (CU) Office of University Counsel. This position is located on the Boulder campus and provides legal advising, review, and analysis to the University of Colorado Boulder.

The individual in this position: (1) possesses knowledge associated with the professional practice of law; (2) performs duties that are predominantly intellectual and varied in nature, requiring creative, analytical, evaluative, interpretive, leadership, and/or critical thinking and (3) exercises discretion and independent judgment while collaborating with the managing legal counsel.

The Assistant Counsel demonstrates leadership and collaboration across all activities while working closely as part of a team to represent and advise the University. The Office of University Counsel prides itself on timely and excellent advice and assistance. The team works closely together, and the work is high volume and fast paced. The successful candidate must be able to recognize issues, propose possible solutions, follow-up, solve problems and work collaboratively in a team environment, both within the Office and with many campus partner offices.

This security-sensitive position requires a criminal background check for initial appointments or at any time determined by the position’s supervisory authority to be in the best interests of the University. This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is exempt from the state personnel system based upon its professional level duties and reporting relationship to an officer of the administration (principal professional subordinate) (see C.R.S. § 24-50-135(1)(a)).

The Assistant Counsel reports to the Managing Associate University Counsel and Vice Chancellor for the Boulder campus.

Where You Will Work:

This role is eligible for a hybrid schedule, working some days from home and at least two days a week in the office on the CU Boulder campus.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maintains knowledge of University policies, state and federal law, and government regulations
• Reviews, drafts, and negotiates contracts, business transactions, and other legal agreements
• Reviews, drafts, and provides advice on campus and system-wide policies and procedures
• Provides legal advice related to records requests, subpoenas, and court orders directed to the University and its employees
• Provides holistic legal advice and guidance to the academic, student life, business, and research operations of the Boulder campus
• Attends and participates in various campus committee meetings and provides legal advice and guidance
• Provides legal advice and representation in administrative hearings, including the Colorado State Personnel Board (SPB)
• Prepares the University’s response to investigations conducted by law enforcement and regulatory entities including the SPB, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Colorado Civil Rights Division (CCRD), and the federal Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
• Provides holistic advising on legal issues concerning the University, which can include but is not limited to:
  • Federal and state laws and regulations, particularly those impacting institutions of higher education and/or pertaining to the conduct of university operations, including employment (both faculty and staff matters), students, research, athletics and immigration
  • Constitutional law issues affecting institutions of higher education including the First Amendment and free expression, due process, and Equal Protection
  • Regulatory compliance
  • Public law issues, including open records and open meetings issues
  • Corporations and corporate governance
  • University policies and procedures
  • All aspects of employment law including civil rights laws (Title VI and VII), Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
  • On-line education and international education
  • Data and student information privacy regulations, including FERPA
  • Title IX / VAWA / Clery Act
  • Tuition Classification
  • Real Property

Minimum Qualifications:

• Juris Doctorate (JD) degree from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school
• Four (4) years practicing law
• Licensed to practice law in the state of Colorado, or the ability to obtain a Colorado license promptly after an offer of appointment
• Record of ethical behavior

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience providing in-house legal services in a higher education, K-12, or state government setting
• Six (6) or more years practicing law
• Professional experience in a dynamic, collegial, team-oriented environment
• Professional experience in a high-volume, fast-paced environment

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of Colorado state and federal laws and regulations concerning higher education institutions.
• Exceptional customer service skills, demonstrated both internally and externally in a professional manner with discretion and confidentiality.
• Oral, written, and listening communication skills, including the ability to accurately interpret what others are saying and convey messages, information, concepts, and details clearly.
• Interpersonal skills, including the ability to facilitate interaction, communication, and partnering between others.
• Personable and collaborative, with significant interpersonal skills and integrity necessary to work as part of a collegial, cohesive team in a complex, fast paced, decentralized environment.
• Ability to engage in creative problem solving.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects and initiatives, in some cases with short timeframes for response.
• Ability to analyze, organize, and effectively present, both orally and in writing, legal issues, opinions and recommendations to a variety of constituents.
• Ability to juggle multiple projects and demonstrate flexibility to accommodate shifting priorities of multiple campus partner offices.
• Ability to build and maintain rapport and trust with a variety of internal partners and external contacts in the provision of holistic legal advising to the University.

Benefits:

• No-cost or low-cost medical & dental plan options, some inclusive of IVF assistance.
• Disability, Life, Vision Insurance options.
• Multiple retirement planning options including a mandatory 401(a) plan where CU contributes 10% of your gross pay, a 401k or 403b plan and a 457 deferred compensation plan.
• Pre-tax savings plans, such as Health care and Dependent care flexible spending accounts.
• Embrace a healthy work-life balance with ample sick and vacation leave, along with at least 12 paid holidays. This includes a dedicated week off for winter break.
• 6 weeks of parental leave to adjust to the joys of parenthood.
• A tuition benefit program for you and/or your dependents.
• Free RTD EcoPass and free onsite parking at our 1800 Grant Street Office.
• Many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.

Additional taxable fringe benefits may be available.

For more information on benefits programs, please review our Comprehensive Benefits Guide.

Access our Total Compensation Calculator to see what your total rewards could be at CU. (This position is a University Staff position)