Associate VC/VP- Deputy General Counsel

University of Houston; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Houston seeks a seasoned General Counsel to provide strategic legal advice to the UH System and its campuses. The role reports to the Vice President for Legal Affairs & General Counsel and oversees a team of attorneys and professional staff.

The successful candidate will handle complex matters including discrimination and civil rights, real estate, labor and employment, contracts, and litigation, and will coordinate with outside counsel and state agencies.

Qualifications

• Requires a J.D. or LL.M. and Texas licensure.
• Minimum of 10 years of directly job-related experience.
• Preferred familiarity with representing public entities.
• Extensive knowledge in employment and civil rights law.
• 5–10 years of legal experience in higher education or equivalent.
• 5 years supervisory/management experience of attorneys.
• 5 years of litigation experience with ability to act as co-counsel.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive legal guidance to UH System and components.
• Serve as chief advisor to the Vice President for Legal Affairs & General Counsel.
• Supervise attorneys and professional staff within the Office of the General Counsel.
• Manage outside counsel engagement for System matters.
• Represent UH System in administrative and legal proceedings.
• Draft documents, policies, legislation, and other legal materials.
• Train attorneys and administrators on specific legal issues.
• Participate in planning of System and departmental initiatives.

Skills

Discrimination law

Civil rights law

Contract law

Real estate law

Labor & employment law

Litigation

Public entities representation

Supervisory experience

Policy drafting

Education

J.D. or LL.M.

Job description

Department:General Counsel Salary:Commensurate with Experience/Education

Description

Provides legal advice, services and representation to the University of Houston System and its component institutions. Serves as the Chief advisor to the Vice President for Legal Affairs & General Counsel and provides supervisory oversight of professional staff.

1. Provides comprehensive guidance and advice to the System's and its component institutions? administrators, faculty and staff on legal issues of all types, including but not limited to discrimination and civil rights, faculty and staff issues, real estate, construction, finance, labor and employment, Athletics contracts and administrative proceedings.
2. Serves as the point of contact for System matters regarding construction, financial investments, police matters, and real estate.
3. Manages the use of outside counsel on legal matters for the System and its component institutions.
4. Performs direct supervision and mentoring of multiple attorneys and professional staff within the Office of the General Counsel.
5. Participates in short and long-range planning of System and departmental initiatives.
6. Represents the University of Houston System and its component institutions in administrative and legal proceedings.
7. May serve as the Public Information Act Officer for the University of Houston System and its component institutions.
8. Serves as a liaison with the Office of the Attorney General and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board on legal matters.
9. Interfaces with opposing counsel and courts.
10. Drafts documents, letters, policies, legislation and other legal materials.
11. Trains attorneys and administrators on specific legal issues.
12. Performs other job-related duties as required.

MQ: Education: Requires singular knowledge of a specialized advanced professional discipline or the highest level of general business knowledge, normally acquired through attainment of a directly job-related terminal degree or equivalent formal training in a recognized field of specialization that is directly related to the type of work being performed. Requires a J.D. or L.L.M Experience: Requires a minimum of ten (10) years of directly job-related experience. Preferred: Familiarity with representation of public entities. Extensive knowledge and experience in employment and civil rights law. 5-10 years legal experience representing institutions of Higher Education or equivalent. 5 years Supervisory/Management experience of attorneys. 5 years litigation experience with the ability to act as co-counsel. Certification/Licensing: Requires professional licensing, certification or registration directly related to the job, as specified on the job posting details. Required: Licensed to practice law in the State of Texas.

All positions at the University of Houston-System are security sensitive and will require a criminal history check.

The University of Houston System and its universities are Equal Opportunity Institutions. Everyone is encouraged to apply.