Assistant/Associate General Counsel, Office of General Counsel

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Job Description Summary

This position provides legal advice and services to Wake Forest University on a broad range of matters but it is primarily focused on the broad range of legal and regulatory matters in student affairs. This position works closely with campus stakeholders including the Division of Campus Life Office of Student
Conduct the Title IX Office and Office of Institutional Equity Center for Learning Access and Student Success Housing and Residential Life University Police and the Compliance Office to ensure compliance with federal and state laws regulations and University policies. This position also serves as a legal
advisor to the Universitys CARE threat assessment and incident response teams. This position manages a varied portfolio of student-related legal issues including advising key leaders and stakeholders on various regulatory and compliance issues providing guidance on student grievances and disputes drafting and reviewing policies and supporting the Universitys mission by offering practical and solution-oriented legal guidance. It is expected that this position will also provide legal advice on various staff and faculty employment issues. This position serves as a strategic partner within the Office of General Counsel and leads the offices student affairs team and may either lead or be a member of other teams in the office. This role participates in University committees and other projects as assigned by the General Counsel or the Deputy General Counsel.

*A cover letter and legal writing sample are required when applying for this position.

Job Description

Essential Functions:

• Provides legal advice on student and compliance-related matters including but not limited to student conduct discipline Title IX/sexual misconduct discrimination and accommodation issues student housing campus safety hazing prevention and student rights.
• Interprets and advises on federal and state laws such as Title IX FERPA ADA/Section 504 Clery Act VAWA and related regulations affecting the University and/or student life.
• Advises on student conduct disciplinary and grievance matters.
• Reviews revises drafts negotiates and/or approves contracts and other legal documents.
• Analyzes and renders practical and solution-oriented advice regarding complex legal issues in a variety of practice areas.
• Demonstrates the ability to express ideas opinions and legal concepts clearly effectively and accurately both orally and in writing to non-lawyers.
• Demonstrates a high level of problem-solving skills including the ability to work creatively proactively and pragmatically.
• Represents WFU and its subsidiaries and affiliates in administrative or regulatory proceedings with or without outside counsel. Works collaboratively with outside counsel in court proceedings.
• Prepares and delivers and/or oversees the preparation and delivery of training and training materials in areas of legal specialty or responsibility.
• Independently anticipates and identifies legal issues to University administrators and develops appropriate legal strategies and solutions.
• Assists in working with and/or monitoring legal work by outside counsel.
• Participates as assigned in policy development and other WFU administrative assignments to ensure compliance and best practices.
• Supervises work performed by department paralegals.
• Collaborates with other members of the Office of General Counsel and other campus stakeholders and coordinates legal services in assigned practice areas.
• Participates in projects as assigned.
• Attends continuing legal education seminars as necessary to expand knowledge in practice area(s) and to maintain law license.
• Meets with client representatives on or off campus as necessary.
• Observes all professional rules of responsibility and performs work in accordance with highest ethical standards.
• Conducts work with integrity and responsibility.
• Communicates regularly with General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel regarding work performed for the University.
• Routinely creates and maintains files in the Office of General Counsels file management system according to departmental standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education Knowledge Skills Abilities:

Law degree (J.D.) from accredited law school with relevant legal experience for a minimum of 6 years for Assistant and 10 years for Associate preferably with significant focus on education
law student affairs or higher education compliance.
Member in good standing of the North Carolina State Bar or attainment of full membership in the North Carolina State Bar within one year of hire.
Ability to investigate and analyze information and to draw conclusions.
Experience in conducting or advising on sexual misconduct or related student investigations.
Experience in developing and delivering training programs for faculty students and/or staff on Title IX sexual misconduct prevention or other relevant training.
Ability to act as a quick study to quickly acquire and apply new legal knowledge and laws and
regulations evolve.
Excellent interpersonal and communication (both oral and written) skills including the ability to communicate complex legal concepts clearly to non-lawyers.
Superior legal research writing and analytical abilities.
Strong negotiation conflict resolution and conflict management skills.
Ability to organize workflow and effectively manage multiple complex and demanding priorities. Strong attention to detail and excellent time management skills.
Ability and commitment to handling sensitive information in a confidential manner.
Ability to work independently with appropriate exercise of good judgment and discretion and with minimal direction.
Ability to supervise the work of paralegals and work collaboratively and collegially with others.
Commitment to protection and furtherance of Universitys mission and interests within the institution(s) and the community.
Demonstrated capacity to develop and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and constituents who may reflect a broad range of identities perspectives and experiences.
Proficiency in Google Suite Microsoft Office the internet and other relevant software.
Authorization to work in the United States at time of employment.

Preferred Education Knowledge Skills Abilities:

Experience as an in-house counsel in a higher education legal department or comparable setting strongly preferred.
Knowledge of a broad range of legal issues and practice areas applicable to institutions of higher education.
Experience drafting and revising contracts and other legal documents.

Accountabilities:

Responsible for own work.
Oversees the work of paralegal and/or support staff.

Physical Requirements:

Sedentary work; communicating with others to exchange information; and repetitive motions that may include fingers wrists and/or hands. Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one campus location to another.

Environmental Conditions:
Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment. Not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions. This position is primarily in-person working from the Office of General Counsel located in Winston-Salem NC with the option for remote work one day per week with supervisor approval.

Additional Job Description

Time Type Requirement

Full time

Note to Applicant:

This position profile identifies the key responsibilities and expectations for performance. It cannot encompass all specific job tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform job-related duties as may be reasonably assigned by his/her supervisor.

In order to provide a safe and productive learning and living community Wake Forest University conducts background investigations and drug screens for all final staff candidates being considered for employment.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified candidates to apply without regard to race color religion national origin sex age sexual orientation gender identity and expression genetic information disability and military or veteran status.

Accommodations for Applicants

If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process please contact or .