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Senior Vice President & General Counsel
- University of Rochester (Rochester, NY)
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As a community, the University of Rochester is defined by a deep commitment to Meliora - Ever Better. Embedded in that ideal are the values we share: equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability. Together, we will set the highest standards for how we treat each other to ensure our community is welcoming to all and is a place where all can thrive.
Job Location (Full Address):
220 Hutchison Rd, Rochester, New York, United States of America, 14627
Opening:
Worker Subtype:
Regular
Time Type:
Full time
Scheduled Weekly Hours:
40
Department:
100013 Office VP & University Counsel
Work Shift:
UR - Day (United States of America)
Range:
UR UR2 099
Responsibilities:
Reporting directly to the President, the Senior Vice President and General Counsel for the University of Rochester is the chief legal officer of the University and is a key member of the executive leadership team, contributing to the resolution of many of the most important issues that affect the University. The Senior Vice President and General Counsel also provides direct advice and counsel to the Board of Trustees on legal issues, governance, and related topics.
The Senior Vice President and General Counsel will manage the Office of Counsel and provide day-to-day legal counsel on issues, policies, technology, contracts, transactions, claims, litigations, proceedings and risks that concern the University and its owned or controlled affiliate entities, for the Trustees, President, Vice Presidents (including the Provost and the Senior Vice President for Health Sciences and CEO of the Medical Center), other senior leaders, administrators, faculty and staff, including the members of the Medical Center Board and the officers and directors of the University’s wholly owned or controlled affiliates.
The Senior Vice President and General Counsel makes employment decisions about and supervises the attorneys and other staff employed in the Office of Counsel of the University and the Medical Center and is responsible for retaining and supervising the work of outside counsel when appropriate. This position oversees a staff of 22 attorneys and 15 allied professional staff, including the Deputy General Counsel and the Deputy General Counsel for Health Sciences and Chief Counsel to the Medical Center.
**Key Responsibilities** :
Provide leadership on all legal and risk management matters:
+ Manage and oversee the Office of Counsel
+ Build, lead, and mentor an effective, efficient, and motivated legal team of attorneys and other legal professionals
+ Assign and manage caseloads and projects within the legal office; oversee services and outcomes to ensure timely and competent delivery of legal services across the University
+ Foster a collaborative and supportive working environment within the office and with university clients
Provide legal advice to ensure compliance and protect university interests:
+ Research laws, court opinions, government regulations, and legal requirements
+ Draft or review contracts, leases, licenses, deeds, and other legal documents or instruments and/or negotiate amendments thereto to achieve favorable terms for the University
+ Analyze legal problems or issues presented by university clients and provide advice accordingly
Represent the University in judicial and governmental proceedings:
+ Serve as the University’s counsel of record in proceedings and investigations
+ Initiate or respond to legal discovery
+ Litigate cases or negotiate resolution of cases
+ Supervise in-house attorneys and assess need for, contract with, and supervise, outside counsel
Serve as a resource for informed decision-making, policy development, and problem solving:
+ Analyze legal aspects or legal issues involved in decisions
+ Draft or revise university policies and procedures to ensure legal compliance
+ Serve as counsel and provide advice for university subsidiaries and affiliates in their decision-making and policy creation responsibilities or serve as liaison on legal matters when subsidiaries and affiliates have separate counsel.
Educate and inform university personnel about legal requirements and risks:
+ Create, prepare, and present educational or training materials on legal issues
+ Respond to legal questions from campus clients as they arise.
Manage and coordinate the provision of all legal services:
+ Ensure the provision of high-quality, cost-effective, and reliable legal services for the University
+ Provide and oversee the provision of in-house legal services
+ Retain and supervise outside counsel to provide legal services for the University
+ Manage the legal budget and costs of legal services.
**Key Qualifications & Experience** :
Preferred candidates will have a track record as a General Counsel or comparable executive experience with a higher education institution or similar environment. Candidates with experience managing the legal issues relevant to a research university with an academic medical center will be most compelling.
+ Juris Doctorate degree from an ABA accredited institution, or equivalent.
+ Admitted and in good standing, or eligible for admission, to the New York State bar (admission may occur within one year after hiring).
+ Minimum of 15 years of relevant legal experience in roles of increasing scope and responsibility.
+ Proven success as a leader in a significant legal leadership role either as the General Counsel or Deputy General Counsel of a public or private company, or of an academic institution, or a partner in a law firm managing complex matters on behalf of university clients, working effectively with various constituencies.
+ Experience involving U.S. laws that govern or affect higher education, research, or health care and related risk management and compliance issues.
+ Experience managing a team of lawyers and professionals spanning a wide range of legal expertise.
+ Experience interacting with and advising boards of directors in a fiduciary capacity on governance-related issues; familiarity with the work of fiduciary boards, particularly the oversight of material risks, investigations and matters that affect the reputation of the University.
+ Understanding of the wide range of legal issues relating to a non-profit academic institution with a medical center, including hospitals and related healthcare affiliates.
+ Management and protection of intellectual property experience.
+ Experience managing financial budget of the Office of Counsel, especially outside counsel selection and negotiation and management of services and fees.
_The referenced pay range represents the minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job's compensation range, and will be determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, market data, education, experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations._
The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University’s Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Characteristics). This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates, for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.
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Learn. Discover. Heal. Create.
Located in western New York, Rochester is our namesake and our home. One of the world’s leading research universities, Rochester has a long tradition of breaking boundaries—always pushing and questioning, learning and unlearning. We transform ideas into enterprises that create value and make the world ever better.
If you’re looking for a career in higher education or health care, the University of Rochester may offer the perfect opportunity for your background and goals
At the University of Rochester, we are committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture and are united by a strong commitment to be ever better—Meliora. It is an ideal that informs our shared mission to ensure all members of our community feel safe, respected, included, and valued.
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Senior Vice President & General Counsel
- University of Rochester (Rochester, NY)