General Counsel

Founded in 2005, Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) is one of 28 institutions within the University System of Georgia. GGC is a premier 21st century liberal arts institution accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Serving nearly 13,000 students, GGC’s innovative practices, caring culture, and extremely affordable tuition are changing the game in higher education and changing the future for students at all levels, of all ages, and from all walks of life. Gwinnett County (pop. 920,000+) is home to a variety of businesses, including organizations involved in health care, education and information technology.

Description:

Reporting directly to the President, the General Counsel and Chief Legal Affairs Officer serves in a senior leadership role as the campus chief legal officer. The position will manage the Office of Legal Affairs, provide day-to-day legal counsel to the President, Cabinet, and campus leaders; as well as formulate legal solutions to issues impacting the college. The General Counsel renders advice and legal opinions regarding students, employment, transactional and real estate issues, manages litigation and administrative complaints; as well as ensures campus-wide legal compliance and coordination among departments with regard to federal, state, and local regulatory standards.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Provide strategic oversight of campus legal operations.

Direct legal inquiries and legal complaints concerning students, faculty, staff, administrators and third parties. Provide oversight and management of campus legal incidents to ensure a timely, efficient, equitable and effective response to complaints.

Successfully conduct and manage legal investigations as applicable, providing advice to campus staff, faculty, and leadership, as required. Train and oversee appropriate designated members of the organization to assist in conducting investigations. Develop and coordinate investigation plans, as applicable. Develop comprehensive reports of investigative findings and make recommendations.

Serve as the College’s senior expert on legal requirements and provide consultation to a high-level team and administrative officers. Assist campus officials with a broad range of legal or other administrative matters.

Develop and implement case management plans.

Review and process contracts, pursuant to state, federal, and local laws.

Review and ensure institution policies, procedures, protocols and practices are in compliance with the state, federal, and local laws, in concert with the audit function.

Collaborate with other campus offices, as needed, to coordinate and execute the College’s response to legal matters in a timely manner.

Remain knowledgeable of current state and federal laws, regulations and trends in the field of education.

Oversee and successfully maintain department budget.

Perform other duties, as assigned.

Minimum and Preferred Qualifications:

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Juris Doctorate or equivalent from an AVA accredited institution

10+ years of progressively responsible experience as a licensed attorney overseeing legal operations and policy development for complex organization, preferably in public institutions or institutions of higher education; with no less than four (4) years in a senior supervisory capacity

GA Bar membership

Experience preparing communications for Executive level officials, including but not limited to the President, Vice President, and other cabinet level officials

Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality of legal materials, institution records and verbal or written communications

Experience conducting campus investigations

Experience serving on investigation panels with varying members of an organization

Demonstrated ability to coordinate and guide training program initiatives

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Previous work experience with higher education with specialization in employment law and contract review

Demonstrated knowledge of state, federal, local laws and other applicable policies and regulations related to higher education

Knowledge of and commitment to the tenets of diversity, equity and inclusive excellence as it relates to their supervisory role and in their practice of law

Ability to make good, consistent and fair decisions (based on fact and data).

Ability to work with cross-functional teams and to foster teamwork

Exceptional skills in communications and interpersonal relations

Knowledge of and commitment to affirmative action and equal employment opportunity

Position Disclosure:

Due to the volume of applications, applicants may not receive a reply from the College unless an applicant is selected for an interview. Review of applications will continue until positions are filled. Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the United States and proof of eligibility will be contemporaneously required upon acceptance of an employment offer. Any resulting employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation and credit check if applicable to the position, as determined by Georgia Gwinnett College in its sole discretion. Georgia Gwinnett College, a unit of the University System of Georgia, is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability or religion. Georgia is an open records state.

Physical Requirements

Position may require local travel. Position requires fiduciary responsibility, therefore successful completion of a credit report is a condition of employment. Ability to lift and carry files and materials. Ability to move from one office to another office on campus. Adequate vision, hearing and manual dexterity to interact with people in person, on the phone and in writing. Must be able to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations.

Work Hours:

Position may require non-standard work hours (nights and weekends).

Position Status:

Full-Time

FLSA:

Exempt