University Associate General Counsel (Litigation)

Description:

Introduction:
This position reports directly to the Associate Vice President for Legal Affairs and University Deputy General Counsel and is responsible for the provision of legal advice and services to University executives and operating units with emphasis on litigation matters.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Legal Services

• Provides legal services to the Board of Regents, executives, administrators, and the staff of the University.
• Provides advice and counsel to University officers, administrators and designated representatives on legal or related matters.
• Reviews and/or approves contracts and agreements as to legality and form, and makes recommendations for approval of legal documents.
• Furnishes legal opinions as requested by the Board of Regents and senior level executives, including legal memoranda and opinions.
• Performs legal research and analyses.
• Prepares and reviews legal documents.
• Assists with the drafting of rules, policies and procedures.
• Provides training on legal matters to University administrators, staff, and designated representatives.
• Attends Board of Regents meetings, as appropriate, to provide information, case summaries, status reports of specific matters, etc.
• As appropriate, drafts testimony and testifies before State legislative committees and meets with Legislators on legislative proposals affecting the University.

Representation in Courts, Administrative Hearings, Arbitrations and Legal Proceedings

• Represents the University in federal and state court in litigation matters, including, but not limited to, such matters as civil suits, torts, contracts, employment, discrimination, constitutional violations, student affairs, and public records, including appeals. Meets with University administrators, staff or designated representatives to prepare for cases.
• Assists in procurement of legal services from outside counsel and works closely with selected counsel to coordinate litigation services with client entities, as well as assist with discovery, research, and drafting of pleadings as appropriate. Manages contracts with outside counsel, including such tasks as reviewing and approving invoices, negotiating contract amendments as necessary, and monitoring services provided to ensure cost?effective representation.
• Represents the University in administrative hearings or other proceedings in matters involving external agencies, including but not limited to Hawai‘i Labor Relations Board, Labor Appeals Board, Hawai‘i Civil Rights Commission, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Office of Civil Rights, State Land Use Commission, Board of Land and Natural Resources, State Ethics Commission, Office of Information Practices and federal agencies funding research. May represent the University at other administrative proceedings with regard to issues of unemployment compensation, disability compensation, workers' compensation, particularly in cases having impact on University policy or legal interpretations.

Other Related Duties

• Maintains case records/statistics.
• Keeps abreast of current case law and legal developments.
• Keeps abreast of University policies and procedures; federal laws, rules, regulations, codes, and executive orders; State statutes, rules and executive directives.
• Develops and implements effective working protocols with support staff as appropriate for the effective handling and management of case matters and files.
• Keeps the Vice President for Legal Affairs and University General Counsel and University administration apprised of significant cases, risks and projects.
• Attends meetings with the President of the University, Board of Regents and University executives.
• Provides status reports and responds to inquiries.8.
• Performs other duties as may be assigned.

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

• Law degree from an accredited school of law
• Admission to the Hawai‘i State Bar and license to practice in the Federal District Court
• Five years of experience as a licensed attorney. Experience must have included civil litigation, trial and appellate practice.
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse constituents in higher education.
• Ability to work effectively and independently and to take directions from supervisor and clients.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally on diverse subject matters both in legal and academic settings.
• Ability to research, analyze, write about, and present legal issues and concepts in a clear, concise manner.
• Familiarity with State laws and legislative processes affecting public agencies in State of Hawai‘i.
• Ability to work as part of a team to provide quality legal services.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience in litigation and legal issues facing public institutions of higher learning, including but not limited to FERPA, CLERY, Title IX, sponsored research, Sunshine Law, open records laws, Procurement Code, Ethics Code, rulemaking and contested cases, limits on public fund expenditure, cybersecurity, contract administration, affirmative action, conflicts of interest, student affairs, athletics, intellectual property, human resources and employment issues, academic freedom, promotion and tenure issues, university foundation-related matters, and emerging related subject matters.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel. Adobe Acrobat, and Google Workspace is extremely desirable.

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