Job Information
University Of Denver Assistant General Counsel II in Denver, Colorado
The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) provides legal advice and counsel to the University of Denver on the broad spectrum of legal issues that arise in the operation of the University, including litigation, contract review, agency proceedings, general legal advice, and other regulatory compliance issues. The OGC is also responsible for engaging the services of outside law firms, where appropriate, and for coordinating and supervising their work. The OGC is led by the Senior Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs and General Counsel (General Counsel).
Position Summary
This full-time position reports directly to the Senior Associate General Counsel. The Assistant General Counsel (II) will provide legal services to the University of Denver on a wide variety of matters affecting a major, private research university. The position will have a primary focus on employment law, faculty affairs, and student affairs.
Essential Functions
Legal Services to Client
- Provides legal counsel and operational advice to business and academic units on a wide variety of issues, including but not limited to labor and employment, faculty affairs, and student affairs.
- Serves as a trusted legal advisor on labor and employment issues relating to university staff, faculty, and student workers, including regarding university policies and state and federal employment, discrimination, and labor laws.
- Represents the University before administrative bodies including the Colorado Civil Rights Division, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.
- Advises on the application and development of policies and procedures related to student issues including, but not limited to, academic and non-academic misconduct; admissions; disability and religious accommodations; discrimination issues; diversity; education records and privacy (FERPA); student governance; student organizations; housing; and student conduct processes.
- Responds to subpoenas and record requests.
- Drafts and negotiates legal documents including separation agreements, settlement agreements, student agreements, and employment contracts.
- Drafts, reviews, and revises University policies.
- Supervises legal services of outside counsel.
- Uses mature judgment in resolving related issues and problems.
- Performs appropriate legal and operational research to support compliance with applicable laws and policies.
- Collaborates with other University units as necessary to achieve operational goals while minimizing legal risk.
Provides training to stakeholders on areas including state and federal laws and University policies regarding labor and employment, faculty affairs and student affairs. Leadership and administration
Provides functional advice, training and guidance and effectively mentors less-experienced attorneys.
- Maintains accurate and complete legal files according to OGC protocols.
Represents OGC as member of, and/or legal counsel to, University committees and task forces. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Excellent research and analytical skills, and sound judgment.
- Knowledge of state and federal legal issues that arise in corporate or non-profit settings.
- Aptitude to quickly absorb new information with highly developed interpersonal skills.
- Strong critical thinking and reasoning skills.
- Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to deal with broad and diverse constituencies at all levels of management, with strong customer service orientation and skills.
- Ability to handle multiple unrelated matters concurrently, timely, and accurately.
- Demonstrated skill in performing under the pressure of frequent interruptions, conflicting demands, and changing priorities.
- Ability to perform in a cross-functional, diverse environment.
- High degree of independence. High ethical standards that reflect honesty, integrity, and reliability.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office (particularly Outlook and Word) and Adobe.
Ability to learn and effectively use OGC records management system (NetDocuments). Required Qualifications
J.D. degree from an accredited ABA law school.
- Admission in good standing to the Colorado Bar, or eligibility for admission within six months of hire.
- Five plus (5+) years of experience as a practicing attorney, with experience in litigation and/or employment law.
Demonstrated ability to provide effective general legal advice to large complex clients; sound judgment; discretion; diplomacy; objectivity; integrity; and ethics. Preferred Qualifications
Expertise in state and federal labor and employment laws (e.g., Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, National Labor Relations Act, Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Workers' Rights ("POWR") Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967).
- Familiarity in legal matters applicable to higher education institutions and/or non-profit organizations (e.g., Title IX of the Education