University Counsel-Business

Stanford University; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 210,000 - 275,000; Full time

Job summary

Stanford University’s Office of the General Counsel seeks an exceptional attorney to serve as a strategic advisor on complex business and transactional matters across the University. You will lead structuring, negotiation and execution of sophisticated agreements and provide practical advice to advance Stanford’s mission.

The role requires outstanding judgment, strong business acumen, and a collaborative approach within a high‑performing legal team.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
• Minimum 6 years of progressively responsible experience in business or transactional law.
• Bar admission in California or eligibility to register as in-house counsel.
• Experience leading and negotiating complex commercial transactions.
• Excellent legal analysis, drafting, negotiation and communication skills.
• Strong client service skills with ability to manage competing priorities.
• Excellent judgment, discretion, ethics, integrity and adaptability.
• Exceptional interpersonal and collaboration skills and ability to build trusted relationships.
• Residency in the Bay Area and in-office attendance at least three days per week.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted advisor to University clients on complex commercial and transactional matters.
• Lead structuring, negotiation and execution of sophisticated commercial agreements.
• Provide practical solutions that advance the University’s objectives across a wide range of matters.
• Identify and manage legal and regulatory risks in a highly regulated environment.
• Partner with clients to understand objectives and provide clear, practical advice.
• Collaborate with the GCOC team to provide coordinated advice to clients.
• Advise on privacy, data protection, cybersecurity, and related regulatory considerations.

Skills

Legal analysis

Drafting

Negotiation

Communication

Client service

Collaboration

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) degree

Bar admission (CA or eligible)

Job description

The Office of the General Counsel is seeking an exceptional attorney to serve as a strategic legal advisor on complex business and transactional matters across the University. Reporting to the Deputy General Counsel and Managing Attorney, the University Counsel will advise campus partners on sophisticated transactions and initiatives that advance the University's inspiring mission and strategic objectives.

The ideal candidate will bring excellent judgment, strong business acumen, integrity and a demonstrated ability to lead complex matters from strategy through execution. The role requires an attorney who is equally comfortable handling sophisticated, novel transactions and the day-to-day agreements that are essential to the University’s operations. The successful candidate will be a highly collaborative colleague who values teamwork, shares knowledge and perspectives, and contributes actively to a collegial and high-performing legal team. This role is ideal for an attorney who enjoys solving novel problems, contributing across a wide range of matters, and working closely with decision-makers in a highly complex and dynamic environment.

Core Responsibilities:

• Serve as a trusted advisor to University clients on complex commercial and transactional matters.
• Lead the structuring, negotiation and execution of sophisticated commercial agreements and other legal documents, and develop practical solutions that advance the University’s institutional objectives.
• Given Stanford’s broad and transformative mission of research, education, patient care and discovery, the type and scope of agreements and other legal documents is wide-ranging. As just a few examples, this can include standard procurement agreements, sponsorship agreements, service agreements, data use agreements, non-disclosure agreements, agreements for Student Affairs, Stanford Arts and Stanford Live, and other speaker and major event agreements.
• Identify and manage legal and regulatory risks in a highly regulated environment subject to changing federal, California, and local laws.
• Partner closely with clients to understand their objectives, anticipate legal issues, and provide clear, practical advice that supports effective decision-making.
• Work collaboratively with the Office of the General Counsel team to bring appropriate legal expertise to complex matters and provide coordinated advice to clients.
• Advise on privacy, data protection, cybersecurity, and other regulatory considerations arising in business transactions and relationships.

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
• A minimum of 6 years of progressively responsible experience practicing business or transactional law.
• Membership in the California Bar or another state’s Bar, with the ability to qualify as registered in-house counsel in California upon starting.
• Experience leading and negotiating complex commercial transactions and providing practical legal advice to sophisticated clients.
• Excellent legal analysis, drafting, negotiation, and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex legal issues into clear and practical advice.
• Strong client service skills with a capacity to manage competing priorities and projects effectively.
• Excellent judgment, discretion, ethics, integrity, and adaptability, with the ability to manage competing priorities and a broad range of client needs in a dynamic academic environment.
• Exceptional interpersonal and collaboration skills, with a demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships, share knowledge and perspectives, and contribute to a collegial, high-performing legal team.
• Residency in the Bay Area, and in-office attendance at least three days per week is required.

The expected salary range is $210,000 - $275,000 per annum.

At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website (https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards) provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.

The final candidate will need to successfully pass a background check to be considered for this position.