General Counsel - Office of General Counsel

TITLE

General Counsel

JOB SUMMARY

The General Counsel is administratively responsible for all legal matters affecting the Texas Woman's University System and provides legal counsel to the Chancellor and President, Cabinet Members, and the Board of Regents.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to: Chancellor and President

Supervises: Assistant General Counsel, and Legal Operations Business Specialist

ESSENTIAL DUTIES - May include, but not limited to the following:

1. Administer and supervise all legal matters affecting the Texas Woman's University System.
2. Provide counsel and opinions for Board of Regents, and Chancellor and President.
3. Coordinate all TWU System litigation with the Office of the Attorney General.
4. Make periodic reports to the Chancellor and Board of Regents on outstanding litigation matters.
5. Provide strategic and tactical guidance and direction in all aspects of the management of the Office of General Counsel, including personnel, budgets, etc.
6. Establish general guidelines for legal services. Coordinate legal interpretations and opinions as to policies, procedures, rules and regulations affecting operating procedures, personnel and students. Maintain current knowledge of national, state, and local developments affecting the Office of General Counsel and the TWU System.
7. Provide assistance to the Chancellor, as requested.
8. Advises administrators on legal matters including legal documents, transactions, and contractual obligations.
9. Advises university personnel on all matters related to intellectual property.
10. In accordance with state rules and university policies, handles negotiations and problems associated with contracts and agreements.
11. Supports academic agreements, contract, and document review and drafting.
12. Handles real estate, sales, purchases, and easements including oil and gas leases and contracts.
13. Monitors and handles affiliation agreements and contracts for grants and sponsored programs.
14. Handles mediations and other dispute resolution matters.
15. Oversees the Office of General Counsel.
16. Provides counsel and advice on employment and civil rights complaints, tort/personal injury matters, student conduct, grievances, policies and procedures, and claims.
17. Reviews and recommends changes to TWU policies and procedures by interpreting state and federal regulations.
18. Issues and provides written legal opinions including documentation and research of legal opinions.
19. Provides legislative review, analysis, and research as requested.
20. Authorizes, supervises, and monitors the work of outside legal counsel.
21. Works with Public Information Act Coordinator.
22. Serves as the University Ethics Officer.
23. Serves as designated Open Records Officer for the University.
24. Monitors and measures the effectiveness of the efforts in records retention, disclosure of public information for regulations and policies to include FERPA, Clery Act, Title VII, Title IX, and ADAAA, and HIPAA.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

• Performs other duties as requested.

EDUCATION

J.D. or L.L.B. degree and Licensed Attorney in good standing with the Texas Bar Association.

EXPERIENCE

Ten years of extensive and progressively responsible legal experience. Experience in dealing with legal matters in an academic setting required. Must be familiar with Texas Higher Education Codes and Texas laws. Demonstrates knowledge of federal and state Equal Opportunity, Title IX, ADA, and other nondiscrimination and educational opportunity laws, rules, and regulations. Experience with writing policies and procedures. Experience delivering training on various regulatory or legal issues.

REQUIREMENT

Regular and reliable attendance at the University during regular scheduled days and work hours is an essential function of this position.

All employees share the responsibility of maintaining information security and privacy requirements within the university by adhering to Federal and State regulations, and TWU Policies & Procedures.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES - The following are essential:

1. Ability to handle confidential and sensitive matters with discretion and neutrality.
2. Ability to perform analytic thinking and attention to detail to detect patterns in data and derive improvement measures.
3. Ability to negotiate and resolve highly sensitive, complex, and/or unprecedented problems.
4. Ability to plan, direct, and evaluate a complex operation, using human resources, time, funds, and other resources for the accomplishment of long-term and short-term goals of the institution.
5. Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with administrators, students, faculty, staff, and the public.
6. Ability to provide administrative guidance within area of responsibility, providing direct training and supervision as needed.
7. Ability to apply budgetary and fiscal planning techniques within financial constraints.
8. Ability to organize work effectively, conceptualize and prioritize objectives and exercise independent judgment based on an understanding of organizational policies and activities.
9. Ability to integrate resources, policies, and information for the determination of procedures, solutions, and other outcomes.
10. Ability to communicate effectively orally, by phone, in person, and in writing.
11. Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to the Board of Regents and the university community.
12. Ability to use a personal computer and other office equipment, including related university software and email.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described in the Essential Duties and below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

The employee may be required to travel.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

All employees are responsible for maintaining an environment that is free from discrimination, intimidation, harassment, including sexual harassment. Work is normally performed in a typical interior work environment.

SAFETY

TWU promotes a safe working environment. Employees are responsible for completing assigned tasks safely and efficiently, and supervisors are responsible for creating and maintaining a safe work environment. Employees must report any unsafe work conditions or practices, as well as any near-miss incidents, to their supervisor and Risk Management. Supervisors and employees should ensure that injury/accident reports are submitted to the Office of Human Resources and Risk Management within 24 hours of the incident.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Texas Woman's University strives to provide an educational environment that affirms the rights and dignity of each individual, fosters diversity, and encourages a respect for the differences among persons. Discrimination or harassment of any kind is considered inappropriate.

Texas Woman's University is committed to equal opportunity in employment and education and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, age, veteran's status, or against qualified disabled persons.

All positions at Texas Woman's University are deemed security sensitive requiring background checks.

If you are a male between the age of 18 and 25, federal law requires that you must be registered with the U.S. Selective Service System, unless you meet certain exemptions under Selective Service law. Under HB 558, enacted by the 76th Texas State Legislature, if you are currently of the age and gender requiring registration with Selective Service, but knowingly and willfully fail to do so, you are ineligible for employment with an agency in any branch of Texas state government. For additional information regarding registration or status, you can contact the Selective Service System at 847-688-6888 or www.sss.gov.