What are the responsibilities and job description for the General Counsel position at Kentucky State University?
TITLE: General Counsel
DEPARTMENT: Office of General Counsel
REPORTS TO: President of the University
EFFECTIVE DATE: TBD
EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full-time
EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION: Exempt
PRINCIPAL PURPOSE OF JOB:
The General Counsel serves as the University’s chief legal officer and is responsible for managing all the University’s legal affairs and providing advice and counsel to the University’s President, Board of Regents, faculty, and staff. The General Counsel reports directly to the President and is a member of the President’s Cabinet. The General Counsel is responsible for ensuring that the University complies with all federal, state, and local laws governing non-profit institutions of higher learning. Aside from supervising and managing the University’s legal affairs, the General Counsel also supervises Board-related activities.
Candidates possessing experience in senior legal positions at academic institutions are highly preferred. However, candidates with significant experience in senior legal positions at firms or other institutions will also be considered.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
- Represent Kentucky State University as its chief legal officer
- Serve as counsel and senior advisor to the University’s President, Board of Regents, faculty, and staff
- Manage the University’s in-house counsel team
- Supervise the University’s outside counsel
- Counsel on issues such as policy formulation, contracting, and litigation
- Ensure the University’s compliance with all laws, regulations, and rules enforced by federal, state, and local regulators
- Identify and develop initiatives to address and resolve areas of compliance concerns or emerging risks
- Supervise all legal work associated with financial and academic enterprises
- Oversee and intervene in legal issues that confront the University (e.g., labor and employment, academic affairs, agricultural research, data privacy, and staff and faculty matters)
OTHER DUTIES: Perform related and appropriate duties as requested by the University’s President
QUALIFICATIONS:
- J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
- Membership and good standing in a State Bar (KY Bar membership preferred OR if not currently a member of the KY State Bar, must become a member within one year of the date of hire), which must be maintained throughout employment
- A minimum of 5 years of experience in senior legal positions at academic institutions is preferred OR a minimum of 10 years of experience in non-related senior legal positions
- Experience working in highly regulated environments, negotiating complex agreements, managing litigation, assessing legal risks, and monitoring compliance issues
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES:
- Excellent judgment, with the ability to manage highly sensitive and confidential information
- Skill in writing concise, logical analytical reports to convey complex issues
- Ability to maintain neutrality and work under stress
- Ability to establish and maintain professional and productive working relationships with staff of all levels at the University
- Ability to interpret complex legal documents to evaluate their impact on University policy and procedures
- Extensive knowledge of higher education law, including Title IX, due process protections as applicable to student conduct proceedings, the Clery Act, ADA, FERPA, etc.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:
- The General Counsel is responsible for supervising the in-house legal team and the University’s Board professionals, including the Board Secretary and Board Liaison
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- No or very limited physical effort required
- No or very limited exposure to physical risk
- Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment
KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY is an Equal Opportunity Employer
The functions, qualifications, knowledge/skills, and physical requirements listed in this job description represent the essential duties of the job, which the incumbent must be able to perform either with or without reasonable accommodation. The Job Functions listed do not necessarily include all activities that the individual may perform.
