Assistant General Counsel

Colby College; Waterville (ME); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Colby College seeks an Assistant General Counsel to provide close legal guidance on higher-education matters, compliance, and risk management. You will work with College leadership, faculty, and staff to address complex regulatory issues, draft policies, review contracts, and support litigation as needed.

The role emphasizes service, discretion, and professional integrity within a dynamic, mission-driven liberal arts environment. Some evenings and remote work arrangements may be required.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school; bar admission in Maine or commitment to Maine licensure within two years.
• 3–5 years of relevant legal experience, preferably in higher education, business, or a comparable setting.
• Strong ethics, integrity, confidentiality, and professional judgment; demonstrated legal research and writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and guidance to College leadership and campus constituencies on a broad range of institutional legal and regulatory matters.
• Assist with compliance, risk management, and policy development; support litigation and regulatory proceedings as needed.
• Coordinate with outside counsel, monitor engagement quality and costs, and help develop practical legal strategies.
• Support enterprise risk management initiatives and provide training and resources to faculty and staff.

Skills

Legal research

Written communication

Oral advocacy

Collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

NetDocuments

Gemini

NotebookLM

Excel

Adobe Acrobat

Job description

Job Description Department: VP, General Counsel, and Secretary of the College

Pay Rate Type: Salary

Employee Type:

Job Summary

The Assistant General Counsel provides legal advice, guidance, and support to Colby College on a broad range of legal, regulatory, compliance, and risk management matters. As a member of the Office of the General Counsel, the position serves as a trusted and responsive resource to the College community working collaboratively with College leadership, faculty, staff, and other constituents to address legal issues, manage institutional risk, and support the College's mission and operations. Reporting to the Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary of the College, the Assistant General Counsel advises on complex legal matters, supports institutional policy development, assists with litigation and regulatory compliance, and contributes to the effective management of the College's legal affairs. The Office of General Counsel places a strong emphasis on service, collaboration, and developing relationships built on trust, confidence, and mutual respect. Success in this position requires not only sound professional judgement and strong legal expertise, but also a genuine appreciation for higher education, its mission, and the important role it plays in the lives of students and the broader community. The position offers an opportunity to continue developing expertise in the diverse and evolving areas of law affecting higher education while working in a dynamic, service-oriented environment that requires flexibility, responsiveness, and a commitment to supporting the College community.

The hiring range for this position is $100,000 - $130,000.

Essential Functions

Legal Counsel Support and Advisory Services

Provide legal advice, guidance, and responsive support to College leadership, academic and administrative departments, and other campus constituents on a broad range of institutional legal and regulatory matters. Work closely with the General Counsel to research, analyze, and develop practical legal strategies and recommendations to address routine and complex legal questions. Advise on and manage legal and regulatory compliance matters, including employment and labor law, discrimination and civil rights law, higher education regulations, Titles IV, VI, VII, and IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504, and other applicable laws and regulations. Collaborate with the General Counsel and College departments in responding to litigation, administrative agency inquiries and reviews, government directives, and other legal proceedings. Review, analyze, and advise on contracts, agreements, and other legal documents as assigned. Conduct legal research and analysis and build expertise in the emerging legal developments affecting higher education.

Institutional Compliance, Risk Management, and Policy Development

Collaborate with and support College leadership and departments in developing, reviewing, and updating institutional policies, procedures, and practices in response to current and emerging legal requirements. Partner with the Assistant Vice President of Risk Management on legal compliance and enterprise risk management activities and initiatives. Develop and deliver training, guidance, and educational resources for faculty, staff, and administrators to understand and effectively navigate legal, regulatory, and compliance matters. Assist the General Counsel in coordinating and overseeing the use of outside legal counsel, including monitoring the quality, timeliness, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of legal services. Support the development and implementation of processes, procedures, and tools that strengthen the effectiveness of the Office of the General Counsel and the College's legal and compliance functions.

Institutional Collaboration and Office Support

Represent the Office of the General Counsel with professionalism, integrity, discretion, and a strong commitment to providing responsive, practical, and high-quality service to the College community. Develop and maintain trusted relationships with College leadership, faculty, staff, students, and external constituents, earning confidence and respect through sound judgment, reliability, effective communication, and a collaborative approach to addressing legal and institutional matters. Serve as an approachable and supportive legal resource, recognizing the importance of understanding the perspectives, responsibilities, and operational needs of those seeking guidance. Provide legal and administrative support to Board of Trustees committees, including the Enterprise Risk-Audit Committee, as assigned. Serve on campus committees and participate in institutional initiatives as assigned by the General Counsel. Assist with the oversight and administration of the Office of the General Counsel clerkship program. Participate in professional development, continuing legal education, and other opportunities to maintain and expand expertise in areas of law affecting higher education.

Position Qualifications

Education and Experience

Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school and three to five years of relevant legal experience, preferably in higher education, business or commercial law, or a comparable legal environment. Licensed to practice law in Maine or committed to obtaining Maine licensure within two years of hire. Deep and genuine commitment to higher education, an appreciation for the value and promise of higher education, and a strong desire to support the mission, students, and community of a residential liberal arts college. Demonstrated professional achievement, sound legal judgment, and a strong commitment to ethics, integrity, confidentiality, and professionalism. Strong legal research, analytical, advocacy, writing, editing, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to evaluate complex legal matters and develop practical recommendations. Excellent interpersonal, verbal, written, and presentation skills, including the ability to explain complex legal concepts clearly to individuals without legal training. Ability to develop trusted and collaborative relationships with College leadership, faculty, staff, students, and other constituencies while providing responsive and professional legal guidance. Strong organizational, time-management, and prioritization skills, with the ability to manage multiple legal matters, competing deadlines, and changing institutional needs. Ability to exercise independent judgment, demonstrate initiative, and work collaboratively within a legal team and broader institutional environment. Ability to remain composed, responsive, and effective when addressing sensitive, urgent, or complex legal matters, including situations requiring rapid analysis and decision-making under significant time constraints. Willingness and ability to develop expertise in new and evolving areas of law, including through professional development, mentoring, and collaboration with the General Counsel. Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, document management systems, and related legal technologies, including artificial intelligence tools; experience with NetDocuments, Gemini, NotebookLM, Excel, and Adobe Acrobat preferred. Ability and willingness to work some evenings, weekends, or varying schedules as institutional and legal needs require.

Physical/Mental Demands

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform essential functions of this position and/or may be encountered while performing essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. To perform this role effectively, an employee is expected to handle employee information, documents, and sensitive matters with care, professionalism, and respect for privacy. This position involves working with a variety of timelines, including some that require quick turnaround and responsiveness to urgent needs. In this role, the employee will interact with members of the public and others in a variety of situations and conversations. Presenting oneself in a professional, respectful, and thoughtful manner at all times is an important part of the role. This position includes regular movement throughout office spaces, hallways, meeting rooms, and other campus locations. Daily work will involve extended use of a computer, including keyboard and mouse. Physical requirements differ by position. In general, most roles involve lifting up to 10 pounds regularly, with some positions requiring occasional lifting of up to 35 pounds. Vision requirements for this position include the ability to see clearly at close and far distances and to adjust focus as needed. The work environment is dynamic and engaging, often involving multiple tasks and projects that require shifting focus and strong organizational skills. The noise level is generally moderate; however, there may be occasional moments of louder sounds depending on campus activity. Evening or weekend work may be required to respond to institutional needs, urgent legal matters, or College activities. The position is primarily campus-based, with some opportunities for limited remote work arrangements subject to discussion and approval. Colby College supports the Americans with Disabilities Act and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Founded in 1813, Colby is one of America’s most selective colleges. Serving only undergraduates, Colby’s rigorous academic program is rooted in deep exploration of ideas and close interaction with world-class faculty scholars. Students pursue intellectual passions, choosing among 58 majors or developing their own. Independent and collaborative research, study abroad, and internships offer robust opportunities to prepare students for postgraduate success. Colby is home to a community of more than 2,200 dedicated and diverse students from around the globe. Its Maine location provides easy access to world-class research institutions and civic engagement experiences. In a period of fast-paced progress, Colby is building on its strong foundation while remaining committed to excellence, to supporting students and faculty at the highest levels, and to the College’s deep liberal arts traditions. This new chapter includes the creation of innovative academic initiatives and partnerships, strengthening the connections between the liberal arts and the professional world, revitalizing downtown Waterville, and pursuing significant capital projects for performing arts and athletics. For more information about the College, please visit our web site: www.colby.edu.