Senior Associate General Counsel at Chapman University in Orange, California

Job Description:

Position Title:

Senior Associate General Counsel

Regular

SA49624

full-time 40 hours weekly

Exempt

$275,000 - $290,000

Chapman University is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this position. This range takes into account a variety of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. Salary offers are determined based on the final candidate's qualifications and experience, as well as internal equity and other internal factors. The anticipated pay range is not a promise of a particular wage.

Overview: Chapman University (the "University") seeks an attorney to be an integral member of the Legal Affairs team, supporting the Senior Vice President of Legal Affairs & General Counsel ("General Counsel") and the entire institution. The SAGC primarily will be expected to manage and support all aspects of employment matters on behalf of the University. Additional areas will include supporting faculty and student affairs, assisting with business matters, and providing advice and counsel to campus clients on other matters as they arise. This position will report directly to the General Counsel and will collaborate closely with three additional team members, two attorneys and a paralegal, in the Office of Legal Affairs ("OLA"), on-campus, daily.



Chapman University: Founded in 1861, Chapman University is a fast-growing, goal-oriented, well-resourced, private research institution with 11 colleges and a total enrollment of over 10,000 students. The University has earned R2 status in recognition of its high research activity. The University's mission is to provide students with a personalized education of distinction that leads to inquiring, ethical, and productive lives as global citizens. Consistently ranked among the top universities in the West, Chapman University programs encourage innovation, creativity, and collaboration. This role would be engaged with and supported by a highly motivated, competent, and collaborative leadership team across the University, and would be expected to collaborate in a like manner.



Experience: The successful candidate will have at least 7-12+ years' experience as an attorney practicing in the area of higher education law, with strong experience and skills in California employment law including advising on concerns, complaints, and investigations involving employees. In-depth knowledge of institutional structures, policies, regulations, and procedures impacting institutes of higher education is required. Additional experience reviewing and revising contracts, clinical affiliation agreements, licenses, gift agreements, grant and other academics-related agreements, and other transactional documents is desirable.

Location: This is an in-office role located at Chapman University's beautiful campus in Orange, California.

Employment Law

• Serve as the point of contact within the Office of Legal Affairs to provide legal advice to campus constituencies regarding the broad range of employment law matters, including faculty and staff benefits, leaves of absence, performance management, complaint resolution, investigations, wage and hour laws, conflict of interest, disability accommodations, compliance with Title VI, VII, and IX, immigration laws, and other employment related federal and state laws, responses to government agency inquiries, and employee issues that intersect with student affairs


• Provide consultative advice and support to campus offices and teams regarding such employment matters and related strategic initiatives, such as updates to policies and processes


• Monitor and advise on developments in federal and state employment law


• Help manage employment and other litigation matters, including drafting litigation holds, advising and coordinating internal stakeholders and witnesses, assisting in responding to discovery, and helping to prepare witnesses for depositions


• Advise and help develop internal employee training

• Review and advise faculty administrators, including the Office of the Provost and Deans, on faculty matters, including tenure issues, faculty and student conduct and grievance matters, leaves, benefits


• Review and advise Student Affairs on a wide range of student experience matters, including student support and conduct issues, complaint resolution, residential life issues, and leaves of absence


• Provide consultative advice regarding strategic initiatives, including updates to policies and processes


• Provide advice regarding and assist in responding to student complaints to University and government agencies

• Assist in office process for review of campus academic and business agreements


• Advise clients on recommended changes and draft language consistent with the University's position

• Assist OLA team effort to build relationships with University and community stakeholders


• Help OLA to monitor key legal developments affecting higher education


• Conduct legal research of state and federal legislation and administrative and court decisions; conduct related analysis and make strategic recommendations


• Assist OLA participation in the National Association for College and University Attorneys


• Advise clients on recommended changes and draft language consistent with the University's position


• Accept assignments to grow areas of knowledge and skill


• Assist in drafting legal analyses

• J.D. from ABA-accredited school with superior academic achievement


• Candidate must be a member in good standing of the California State Bar or otherwise qualified to practice law in California as registered in-house counsel

• At least 7-12+ years' experience as an attorney practicing in the area of higher education law, with strong experience and skills in California employment law


• Knowledge of and committed care for professional standards and ethics, including confidentiality and appropriate maintenance of the attorney-client privilege


• In-depth knowledge of institutional structures, policies, regulations, and procedures impacting institutions of higher education


• Experience reviewing and revising contracts


• Outstanding skills in interpersonal engagement, verbal communication, collaboration with stakeholders, conflict management, and teamwork


• Outstanding legal writing and research and organizational skills


• Computer skills appropriate to the role, including Word and PowerPoint

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and evaluate data, assess alternatives and formulate logical and sound recommendations


• Excellent planning and organizational skills to prioritize multiple projects under pressure and shifting demands, and to meet critical deadlines


• Proven ability to understand and handle political and practical ramifications of recommendations and act with tact and diplomacy


• Experience working in an environment with people from around the country and/or the world


• Strong commitment to teamwork and client service and care for the mission of education

TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION, PLEASE FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW



Interested candidates should submit a resume addressed to:



Carol Warren Simon

Partner
In-House Counsel Recruiting
csimon@mlaglobal.com



Heather Fine

Partner
In-House Counsel Recruiting
hfine@mlaglobal.com



Diego Ash

Director
In-House Counsel Recruiting
dash@mlaglobal.com


You may be required to complete additional documents to be considered for this position.



Please do not contact the University directly; all resumes sent to the University will be routed to MLA for handling and will create delays.