Senior Counsel, Athletics & Compliance

SUNY COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY - UNIVERSITY EYE CENTER; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 152,000 - 186,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off 80 hours/year

Professional development support

Job summary

University of California, Berkeley is seeking a Principal Campus Counsel to serve as the primary legal advisor to Intercollegiate Athletics. The role provides comprehensive legal counsel on labor and employment, contracts, NIL, licensing, and NCAA/compliance matters while supporting institutional goals and governance.

The position requires JD, California Bar admission, and extensive experience in complex legal matters, with broad institutional practice beyond Athletics.

Qualifications

• Extensive and progressively responsible legal experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in California labor and employment law.
• Significant experience drafting and negotiating complex employment and commercial agreements.
• Experience representing organizations in litigation, investigations, and administrative proceedings.
• Demonstrated ability to advise executive leadership on highly complex legal and business matters.
• Comprehensive understanding of NCAA regulations, conference governance, and the evolving legal landscape affecting collegiate athletics.
• Knowledge of federal and California laws governing higher education, employment, commercial transactions, and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Strategic counsel to Athletics leadership and senior campus executives.
• Advise on employment law matters, coaching contracts, and related agreements.
• Draft and negotiate complex commercial agreements (NIL, sponsorships, licensing, media rights).
• Support risk mitigation, governance, and compliance programs across Athletics.
• Represent the University in litigation, investigations, and negotiations; manage outside counsel as needed.
• Provide education and training on emerging legal issues to Athletics and campus stakeholders.

Skills

Strategic legal counsel

Labor & employment law

Contract drafting

Negotiation

Regulatory compliance

Risk assessment

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Job description

University of California, Berkeley is seeking a Principal Campus Counsel to serve as the primary legal advisor to Intercollegiate Athletics. The role provides comprehensive legal counsel on labor and employment, contracts, NIL, licensing, and NCAA/compliance matters while supporting institutional goals and governance.

The position requires JD, California Bar admission, and extensive experience in complex legal matters, with broad institutional practice beyond Athletics.