General Counsel

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University’s General Counsel is responsible for the overall oversight of the vision and leadership of the University’s legal strategy. Reporting to the Chancellor, the General Counsel is responsible for the delivery of legal services to the Board of Trustees of North Carolina A&T State University, including all units in the University. The Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) provides legal advice and assistance on a wide variety of legal matters related to governance, risk management, contracts, personnel, student affairs, compliance, and records management, among others. The chief legal officer advises the Trustees, the chancellor and senior administrators on issues of law, governance and risk management and oversees and directs the representation of the University in all legal matters. This position provides an excellent opportunity to serve as a trusted advisor on the senior leadership team.

The General Counsel serves as the chief legal advisor with authority from – and in collaboration with – the Office of the Attorney General of the State of North Carolina. The General Counsel performs highly advanced and sophisticated legal work. Responsibilities involve directing and planning coverage of the legal portfolio, strategies and initiatives, strategic risk management, compliance and integrity, contracts, commercialization, royalties and revenues, interpreting laws, regulations, and policies, preparing legal documents, rendering legal advice and counsel, and leading the preparation of materials of cases on behalf of the University for hearing or trial. The General Counsel directs the Office of General Counsel and leads a team of attorneys and support staff. The position serves as a primary liaison on legal and policy issues between North Carolina A&T State University and the University of North Carolina System Office and its other constituent institutions, as well as federal and state agencies (e.g. U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights, and U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) as necessary.

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is one of 17 institutions of The University of North Carolina System and is a Land-Grant, Doctoral Research institution committed to fulfilling its fundamental purposes through exemplary undergraduate and graduate instruction, scholarly and creative research, and effective public service. The University offers degree programs at the baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral levels. The University has also established a Research-Industrial Park, called the Gateway University Research Park with the University of North Carolina at Greensboro to foster technology transfer and promote economic development in the region. The University enrolls over 12,000 students with approximately 2,000 faculty and staff.

North Carolina A&T State University requires an earned Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school, and a minimum of ten years’ experience in a senior legal position in the public sector, higher education and/or cooperate law is favorable.

Must be licensed to practice law in North Carolina or be able to become licensed within one year after the date of appointment.

Substantive knowledge of legal principles, practices, and proceedings, and of the broad spectrum of laws, regulations, and policies that affect the University is required.

Excellent writing ability and advocacy skills expected. Demonstrated ability to establish productive working relationships in the delivery of legal services is required. The successful applicant should have evidence of senior level responsibility. The candidate must be able to demonstrate good judgment, work under time pressures, and have an ability to work effectively and collegially with a small legal team and a variety of senior-level administrators. The successful applicant must have a demonstrated strong client-service perspective; a keen understanding of the University’s operating environment, project management skills, business judgment, and creative problem-solving and strategic vision.

Experience in intergovernmental, corporate relations and legislative affairs is also preferred.