General Counsel

The University of La Verne is a private, not-for-profit university founded in 1891 located in La Verne, California. The core values that we live by are Ethical Reasoning, Diversity and Inclusivity, Lifelong Learning and Community and Civic Engagement.

If you’re passionate about these values, join us at the University of La Verne!
Reporting directly to the President of the University, the University General Counsel is the chief legal affairs officer of the University. This position supports the dynamic educational environment of the University of La Verne by providing legal advice to foster sound decision-making in all areas of operation, instruction, research, and administration. The General Counsel provides overall strategic and ethical leadership and direction for all legal matters involving the University, including employment matters, student affairs, education law, regulatory matters, risk assessment, and compliance issues; contractual and construction matters, government relations; and financial and research concerns. The General Counsel provides advice on sponsored and grant programs, including intellectual property. The General Counsel selects, retains, and monitors the work of outside counsel on a case-by-case basis, as well as monitoring outside counsel costs.
Specific Duties
Develops and implements an ethical vision and strategic plan for the University’s legal services.
Supports the University’s functions and business through the delivery of legal support and guidance.
Provides advice on legal matters, issues, and policies such as: tax, employment and labor law, education law, contractual and construction matters, government relations, contracts, transactions, civil rights, student affairs, claims, use of federal and state funding, insurance, Title IX, and risk management that concerns the University to the Trustees, President, Cabinet Members and other senior leaders, human resources, administrators, faculty, and staff.
Reviews and advises University policies, procedures, and handbooks including drafts of new policies, procedures, and handbooks and advises administrators and faculty on the same; ensures consistency among all policies, procedures, handbooks, etc.
Provides counsel to administrators and faculty regarding proposed or existing University contracts; reviews all proposed University contracts.
Identifies and manages legal risk consistent with University priorities defined by the Trustees, President, Cabinet Members, and other senior leaders, human resources, administrators, faculty, and staff.
Establishes a clearly understood framework for legal policies within the Office of the General Counsel.
Recommends operational and policy changes necessitated by legislative mandates; develops alternative policies to enable the University to accomplish its objectives.
Manages and oversees the Office of General Counsel.
Functions as an integral partner within the senior leadership team.
Collaborates and helps coordinate with various campus departments to ensure the University operates within the appropriate legal governance framework; to provide training and training materials on legal issues to appropriate constituencies when education is helpful to maintain or further University objectives; to educate, advise, and counsel faculty, staff and students to reduce or transfer risks.
Represents the University before state and federal agencies as appropriate. Works closely with outside attorneys on litigation involving the University in federal and state courts and in administrative agencies.
Collaborate with Office of Strategic Communication to ensure consistent messaging when representing the University to the public.
Maintain University licensing, trademark, and copyright agreements.
Minimum Qualifications
Juris Doctor from an accredited university
Legal practice
Higher Education legal knowledge and practice
California law, employment law
Demonstrated excellent verbal communication and written skills
Federal and state labor and employment law
Demonstrated collaboration skills; ability to form and maintain a professional relationship with internal and external partners
Preferred Qualifications
Federal and State privacy laws
Benefits Summary
Salary will be commensurate with experience and internal equity. Benefits include a comprehensive health and wellness plan, tuition remission program for employee, spouse, and dependent children, a generous 10% contribution to the University’s 403B retirement plan, and a generous time off plan.
Employment is contingent upon successful completion and clearance of a background check and employment verification.
U.S. News & World Report rates La Verne Online No. 1 in California for the third consecutive year and 24th best in the country. Washington Monthly’s 2016 “America’s Best Colleges for Adult Learners” rankings place La Verne No. 3 among private, 4-year institutions in California.
La Verne is Tier 1 in U.S. News 2017 “America’s Best Colleges” National University rankings for the seventh straight year, and again made Forbes “America’s Top Colleges” rating (WASC Accredited).