University Counsel

University Counsel for Student Life and Academic Affairs

USC Office of the General Counsel

The University Counsel for Student Life and Academic Affairs in the USC Office of the General Counsel (OGC) will report to the leader of OGCs Student Life and Academic Affairs practice group. The University Counsel provides advice and counsel to clients across the university on a broad range of issues across two domains: student life including student conduct proceedings academic integrity sexual misconduct athletics disability accommodations threats to self and others free speech and campus protests privacy residential life housing campus safety Greek life campus activities and student health; and academic affairs including research compliance export control cybersecurity foreign influence enrollment management admissions financial aid student immigration issues accreditation and state authorization.

The University Counsel is expected to:

• Provide thought leadership on complex and novel issues.

• Coordinate with outside counsel on complex advice and pre-litigation matters.

• Assist clients in finding creative solutions to difficult problems.

• Establish a rapport and working relationship with employees at all levels of the university in order to act as a trusted advisor and encourage the proactive use of in-house legal counsel as a preventative measure.

• Manage complex internal political situations with diplomacy poise and discretion.

• Serve as legal advisor to various university committees including Title IX student conduct health leaves threat assessment and student concerns.

• Manage select student litigation matters and outside investigations (such as OCR BPPE and DOJ) including selection and supervision of outside defense counsel. Draft review and negotiate settlement agreements and other litigation-related agreements. Participate in OGC Litigation department meetings.

• Collaborate with clients and Risk Management on strategies to reduce potential claims.

• Provide training on various topics.

• Contribute to the development and revision of university policies including the Student Handbook University Catalogue Title IX policy youth protection policy mandated reporters policy school handbooks and others.

• Advise on new and proposed legislation impacting student and academic affairs.

• Provide guidance and direction to other OGC attorneys on student and academic advice matters.

• Assist with the universitys response to subpoenas for documents and testimony and requests for documents and information from law enforcement agencies.

• Performs other special projects or related duties as assigned or requested. The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

Preferred Requirements:

• J.D. and Member of the California Bar (or eligible to register with the State Bar as registered in-house counsel).

• 10 years of experience representing institutions of higher education as counsel.

• Deep knowledge of the laws applicable to research universities including but not limited to Title IX Title VI ADA/504 Unruh Act FERPA Title IV California administrative mandamus law California Education Code mandated reporting laws Clery Act export control laws and regulations FCPA NSPM-33.

• Familiarity with the organizational structures and vernacular used in higher education.

• The ability to manage a high volume of complex matters including critical incident response with limited supervision.

• Willingness to tackle difficult projects that require learning new substantive areas of law and policy.

• High level of emotional intelligence. Skill at navigating complex political situations diplomatically. Ability to build strong relationships of trust with key stakeholders across the university.

• Demonstrated strong written and oral communication project management and analytical skills.

• Dependability trustworthiness and discretion.

Minimum Requirements:

• Juris Doctor (JD)

• 7 years of experience

This positions annual base salary range is $202000-$235000. When extending an offer of employment the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position the candidates work experience education/training essential skills internal peer equity federal state and local laws contractual stipulations grant funding as well as external market and organizational considerations.

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USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin protected veteran status disability or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to theBackground Screening Policy Appendix Dfor specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at or by email at. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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