Description

Please submit your application through Texas Woman's University's career portal linked here.

TITLE

Senior Associate General Counsel

JOB SUMMARY

Assists the General Counsel in providing legal advice and counsel to the University. Incumbent has a key role in identifying and addressing areas of actual and potential legal liability affecting the University. This position is responsible for advising on personnel matters, interpreting federal and state laws and regulations, and developing, drafting, and interpreting University policies, regulations and rules.

This position focuses primarily on the areas of employment law, student affairs and academic affairs, and legal aspects of contract negotiation, drafting, review, and approval.  Additional areas of responsibilities may include business, finance, institutional compliance and regulatory matters, policy and legislation, the Public Information Act, ethics and conflicts of interest, intellectual property, data privacy and security, and general higher education issues.

Work is performed under the administrative direction of the General Counsel with limited supervision and occasional general supervisory review. The performance evaluation is conducted through the University’s performance evaluation system and in accordance with University Policies & Procedures.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to:      General Counsel

Supervises:     May supervise Support Staff

ESSENTIAL DUTIES - May include, but not limited to the following:

• Provides advice and counsel to the Board of Regents, Chancellor and President, Vice Presidents, and other administrators on legal matters that affect TWU.
• Provides legal advice and guidance regarding a variety of general higher education and business law matters. This includes, but is not limited to, employment law, finance and transactional matters, sponsored research, intellectual property, licensing and tech transfer, copyright and trademark, data privacy and security, export control, contract disputes, institutional compliance and regulatory matters, general risk management and insurance, and ethics and conflicts of interest.
• Supports the General Counsel in overseeing and managing all litigation involving the University.
• Reviews, negotiates, drafts, and conducts legal sufficiency reviews for all contracts, agreements, and other legal documents, ensuring compliance with University policies, applicable laws, and risk management standards.
• Provides legal advice and recommends courses of action to resolve legal, procedural, or administrative issues in compliance with all applicable legal standards.
• Keeps informed of emerging legal issues that may impact the University.
• Researches legal issues and provides written recommendations, memoranda, and opinions.
• Assists with the development, preparation, and implementation of policies, by-laws, administrative procedures, and other guidelines.
• Assists the General Counsel with supervisory duties of the staff of the Office of General Counsel on pending and potential litigation and other matters.
• Provides legal support related to discrimination complaints, grievance and appeal processes, and general faculty, staff, and student issues.
• Provides legal advice and counsel on all manner of employment matters, including personnel issues, employee discipline, accommodations, contracts, discipline.
• Provides legal guidance for Texas Public Information Act requests including, but not limited to, exceptions to disclosure, redactions, and legal sufficiency review of correspondence to the Office of the Attorney General.
• Represent the university in hearings and other judicial or quasi-judicial proceedings.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

Performs other duties as requested.

EDUCATION

J.D. degree from an American Bar Association accredited law school required. Licensed and admitted to practice law and in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.

EXPERIENCE

Licensed attorney with at least six years of progressively responsible legal experience required, Experience managing all phases of litigation and contested matters. Strong relationship-building skills and ability to work collaboratively and be a highly supportive member of cross-function legal and client teams.

Experience in advising on employment matters and/or higher education matters involving faculty and students is strongly preferred.

REQUIREMENT

Regular and reliable attendance at the University during regular scheduled days and work hours is an essential function of this position.

All employees share the responsibility of maintaining information security and privacy requirements within the university by adhering to Federal and State regulations, and TWU Policies & Procedures.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES - The following are essential:

• Skill in conducting legal research and producing clear, persuasive written and verbal communications.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and cooperative work relationships with administrators, faculty, and staff.
• Ability to identify, analyze, and frame complex legal issues and to convey legal advice clearly and effectively to nonlawyers.
• Ability to organize work effectively, conceptualize and prioritize objectives, and exercise independent judgment based on an understanding of organizational policies and activities.
• Skill in managing litigation, handling disputes, and negotiating contracts.
• Ability to integrate resources, policies, and information to determine appropriate procedures, solutions, and outcomes.
• Ability to exercise discretion, build trust, and maintain confidentiality.
• Knowledge of business contracts and lease drafting.
• Skill in interpersonal communication and leadership.
• Ability to comply with all legal and legislative deadlines.
• Knowledge of state and/or federal laws and regulations affecting universities.
• Ability to travel as required.
• Ability to use a personal computer and other office equipment, including university-related software and email.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described in the Essential Duties and below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

The employee may be required to travel.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

All employees are responsible for maintaining an environment that is free from discrimination, intimidation, harassment, including sexual harassment. Work is normally performed in a typical interior work environment.

SAFETY

TWU promotes a safe working environment. Employees are responsible for completing assigned tasks safely and efficiently, and supervisors are responsible for creating and maintaining a safe work environment. Employees must report any unsafe work conditions or practices, as well as any near-miss incidents, to their supervisor and Risk Management. Supervisors and employees should ensure that injury/accident reports are submitted to the Office of Human Resources and Risk Management within 24 hours of the incident.

Texas Woman’s University strives to provide an educational environment that affirms the rights and dignity of each individual, fosters diversity, and encourages a respect for the differences among persons. Discrimination or harassment of any kind is considered inappropriate.

Texas Woman’s University is committed to equal opportunity in employment and education and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, age, veteran’s status, or against qualified disabled persons.

All positions at Texas Woman’s University are deemed security sensitive requiring background checks.

If you are a male between the age of 18 and 25, federal law requires that you must be registered with the U.S. Selective Service System, unless you meet certain exemptions under Selective Service law. Under HB 558, enacted by the 76th Texas State Legislature, if you are currently of the age and gender requiring registration with Selective Service, but knowingly and willfully fail to do so, you are ineligible for employment with an agency in any branch of Texas state government.  For additional information regarding registration or status, you can contact the Selective Service System at 847-688-6888 or www.sss.gov.

About Us

TWU is the nation’s largest university system focused on women and a federally recognized Hispanic-Serving Institution. TWU is situated approximately 30 miles north of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and is home to approximately 16,433 graduate and undergraduate students across three campuses; Denton, Dallas, and Houston respectively. This diverse academic student community is guided by faculty committed to excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service. TWU is ranked among the nation’s top ethnically diverse institutions according to U.S. News & World Report (2022).

Additional information about the University is available at http://www.twu.edu.