Assistant General Counsel

University of Georgia; Athens (GA); On-site; USD 105,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Georgia's Office of Legal Affairs is seeking an Assistant General Counsel to join its in-house team in Athens. This full-time attorney position reports to the General Counsel and provides legal advice to administrators, faculty, and staff on a range of university matters, including policy interpretation, contract review, and litigation management.

Candidates should have a JD and Georgia bar admission, with 2+ years in higher education law; employment law experience is a plus.

Qualifications

• JD and Georgia State Bar membership required.
• Minimum of two years of experience in higher education law.
• Experience in employment law preferred.
• Willingness to live in or relocate to the Athens area.

Responsibilities

• Provide general legal advice and counseling to assigned units, including contract review and policy development.
• Serve as subject matter expert for colleges and units in specialized areas as assigned.
• Perform other duties as directed by the General Counsel.

Skills

Oral and written communication

Task management

Stakeholder collaboration

Analytical and problem-solving

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) and Bar admission

Job description

Assistant General Counsel

Department: Legal Affairs Office

Employment Type: Employee

Benefits Eligibility: Benefits Eligible

Full/Part time: Full Time

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8 am - 5 pm

Advertised Salary: $105,000 - 125,000

Location of Vacancy: Athens Area

Proposed Starting Date: 01/01/2027

Position Summary: This position is a full-time attorney in the University of Georgia's Office of Legal Affairs, the University's in-house legal counsel. Reporting directly to the General Counsel, attorneys in the office provide legal advice and counseling to the University through its administrators, faculty, and staff in the course of their duties on behalf of the University. Each attorney in the office has direct responsibility for specific substantive areas and units. Areas of responsibility sometimes change to meet the needs of the unit and institution. The Office of Legal Affairs provides legal advice and counsel to the University on a wide variety of legal issues, including policy interpretation, contract review, and - in conjunction with the Attorney General of the State of Georgia - management of actual or threatened litigation in which the University is involved. Assistant General Counsel positions are intended for attorneys with 2+ years of relevant experience with developing expertise relevant to higher education law. Assistant General Counsels develop subject matter expertise and foster close working relationships with assigned units.

Minimum Qualifications: JD and State Bar membership

Preferred Qualifications: The successful applicant should have a J.D. degree from an accredited law school, strong academic credentials, and be admitted or immediately eligible for admission to practice law in the State of Georgia. The Office of Legal Affairs is seeking applicants with experience relevant to higher education law and is particularly interested in applicants with employment law experience. Applicants for this position should have a minimum of two years of experience. Applicants with 7+ years of experience may apply for the open Associate General Counsel position here: https://www.ugajobsearch.com/postings/507991. The successful candidate should live or be willing to promptly relocate to the Athens area.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Plan and manage a variety of tasks
• Work effectively with various constituents in a large public institution
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; and sound judgment

Duties/Responsibilities

General legal advice and counseling to assigned units. This includes advising units on legal risks and mitigation strategies, relevant contract review, policy review and development, and training and education on relevant legal matters for assigned units. (40%)

Provide guidance and serve as subject matter expert for colleges and units in specialized areas to be assigned. (40%)

Other duties assigned by General Counsel. (20%)

Physical Demands

Sitting, standing, walking up and down stairs.

Background Investigation Policy

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Credit and P-Card policy

Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

EEO Policy Statement

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR ([e-mail]).

About the University of Georgia

Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state's flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University's main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University's enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.

About the Office of Legal Affairs

The Office of Legal Affairs is the University of Georgia's in-house legal counsel. Attorneys in the Office of Legal Affairs provide legal advice and counseling to the University through its administrators, faculty, and staff in the course of their duties on behalf of the University. The Office of Legal Affairs does not provide legal advice to administrators, faculty, staff, or students in their individual capacities.

In addition to providing legal counseling to the University, other areas of responsibility for the Office of Legal Affairs include policy interpretation and advice, administration of the University's grievance and dispute resolution procedures, contract review, and - in conjunction with the Attorney General - management of actual or threatened litigation in which the University is involved. The Office of Legal Affairs is also available to provide educational programs on legal issues applicable to units of the University.

Job Details

Classification Title: Staff Attorney I

FLSA: Exempt

FTE: 1.00