PT Law Clerk

Houston City College; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Houston City College is seeking a legal position responsible for coordinating the review of legal issues, conducting investigations, and preparing documentation. Key responsibilities include drafting and negotiating terms for compliance, analyzing laws impacting higher education, and providing direction to external counsel.

The ideal candidate holds a Bachelor’s degree with legal field experience and possesses strong analytical skills and proficiency in legal research tools like Westlaw and Lexis-Nexis.

Qualifications

• 1 year in legal field, preferably in post-secondary education institution.
• Able to communicate effectively both in writing and orally.
• Solid judgment in decision-making, ability to act with little or no supervision.

Responsibilities

• Conduct investigations and gather necessary documents for legal preparations.
• Draft and negotiate terms to ensure compliance with regulations.
• Review policies to ensure compliance with laws and regulations.

Skills

Knowledge of Westlaw

Knowledge of Lexis‑Nexis

Research governmental regulations

Effective communication

Analytical ability

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Problem-solving skills

Education

Bachelor's degree and post-graduate work in law or contracts

Job description

Job Summary

Coordinates the review of General Counsel legal issues for HCC. Responsible for the initial analysis, preparation, verification, and documentation of legal issues. Responsible for the initial legal response. Serves as the resources person for the colleges’ personnel, particularly administrators and officers. Coordinates activities of external counsel.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide initial review of HCC contacts
• Draft, review, revise, and negotiate, as necessary, the terms and conditions to ensure compliance with local, state and federal
• Interpret and answer questions about HCC political
• Conduct investigations and gather necessary documents from various departments to prepare for lawsuits and student or employee complaints/grievances/incidents
• Review HCC policies and procedures to determine compliance with current local, state, or federal law
• Responsible for review of new/revised laws impacting higher education
• Provide training as needed on legal issues
• Provide direction to legal secretary on scheduling requests or other issues to be brought to the attention of General Counsel
• Analyze questions/actions brought forth by administrators/employees/board and determine research requirements
• Research proposed actions to determine compliance with policy, law
• Provide written reports on proper steps to void legal liability and compliance issues
• Provide reports to and reviews with General Counsel, issues of higher‑level complexity
• Communicate responses to question/actions after initial analysis and/or review with General Counsel
• Prioritize and handle a varied workload of projects, correspondence, and project/report tracking, including coordination or external counsel projects

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above. The qualifications listed below are representative of the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required.

Education

Bachelor’s degree and post‑graduate work in law or contracts required

Experience

1 year in legal field, preferably in post‑secondary education institution

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of Westlaw, Lexis‑Nexis and other legal research databases required.
• Able to research governmental regulations, laws and legislation.
• High level of analytical ability flexibility, self‑motivation, dependability and human relations skills required.
• Extensive knowledge of laws applying to higher education preferred.
• Able to communicate effectively both in writing and orally.
• Accuracy, attention to detail, ability to work as part of a team, excellent organization and problem solving skills, ability to assume initiative required.
• Solid judgment in decision‑making, ability to act with little or no supervision.

EEO Statement

Houston Community College does not discriminate on the bases of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity and expression, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation or veteran’s status. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non‑discrimination policies:

• Sandra B. Jacobson, J.D., M.Ed., SHRM‑SCP, Interim Director of EEO and Compliance & Title IX Coordinator
• Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX
• PO Box 667517
• Houston, TX 77266
• 713.718.8271 or [e-mail]