Description:
The Office of University Counsel (OUC) has an exciting opportunity for a Staff Attorney I. Recent law graduates and/or attorneys with 0-3 years of experience as a practicing attorney are encouraged to apply. Candidates who have passed the Maryland bar will be considered.Note: Candidates must be admitted to the bar in the State of Maryland and duly licensed at the time of hire, or candidates must be admitted to a bar in another state with admission in Maryland and duly licensed within 12 months of employment.
The OUC oversees, coordinates, and manages the legal affairs of the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB). OUC attorneys work closely with administrators, faculty, and staff across the University's administrative units and professional schools.
OUC serves as the point of contact for legal issues that arise during the course of official University business or activities; public records requests, subpoenas, and legal inquiries from external attorneys; etc. OUC does not provide personal legal advice to students, faculty, or staff members.
The selected incumbent will perform duties that support the mission and vision of UMB's OUC: To protect and promote UMB's mission and core values, OUC is committed to providing high-quality legal services in an ethical, responsible, collaborative, and timely manner.
Benefits: Exempt Regular
UMB offers a comprehensive benefits package (https://www.umaryland.edu/hrs/benefits/) that prioritizes wellness, work/life balance, and professional development. This position participates in a retirement program that must be selected and is effective on your date of hire. Exempt regular staff receive a generous PAID leave package that includes over 4 weeks of vacation accrued each year, 15 paid holidays, 3 personal leave, unlimited accrual of sick time, and comprehensive health insurance; professional learning and development programs; tuition remission for employees and their dependents at any University System of Maryland school; and flexible work schedules and teleworking options (if applicable per job).
Primary Duties:
- Provide day-to-day research and guidance throughout the University, with a concentration on support in specialized field.
- Provide guidance regarding legal issues to members of the administration, faculty and staff of the University, in their official capacities.
- Handle a wide variety of matters including employment, faculty and student issues, affiliations, contracts, research compliance issues, open government compliance and government regulation of campus activities.
- Assist legal research and prepare recommendations to University Counsel. Assist administration in drafting or revising University policies.
- Receive and assist in investigations of inquiries and complaints.
- Review contracts, agreements, other legal documents and policies for compliance with state and federal law as well as University policies and procedures; advise University Counsel on legal impact of current and proposed policies.
- Assist in drafting and editing agreements, policies, memoranda, and instructional materials under the director of University Counsel.
- Interview, meet, and confer with University employees on matters involving legal issues related to University activities.
- Serve on University committees to provide legal input on committee work.
- Review proposed and issued federal and state regulations concerning higher education. Prepare briefing memoranda and educational summaries for University use.
- Assist attorneys in Office and at Office of the Attorney General with respect to administrative hearings, disciplinary matters, and civil litigation.
- Advise campus officials concerning responses to Public Information Act requests under federal and state law.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
Education: Law degree from an accredited U.S. law school.
Experience: Prior experience in a legal or higher education setting is preferred. Judicial clerkship experience before admission to the bar may be considered and substituted for up to one (1) year of legal experience.
Supervisory Experience: N/A.
Certification/Licensure: Admission to the bar in Maryland and duly licensed at time of hire, or admission to a bar in another state with admission in Maryland and duly licensed within 12 months of employment.
Other: Annual financial disclosure required Maryland State Law.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
Knowledge of position requirements. Knowledge of all applicable requirements, regulations, and laws. Skill in effective use of applicable technology/systems. Ability to effectively communicate both verbal and written thoughts, ideas, and facts. Ability to work cooperatively with others and independently. Ability to demonstrate, understand, apply, and adhere to the UMB Core Values of Respect and Integrity, Well-being and Sustainability, Equity and Justice, and Innovation and Discovery.