Description:

Job Summary:
The Vice President and General Counsel serves as the chief legal officer of St. John's University, providing strategic legal advice and guidance to senior leadership, the Board of Trustees, and other stakeholders. Reporting directly to the President, the Vice President and General Counsel plays a critical role in safeguarding the university's legal interests, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and mitigating legal risks across all aspects of university operations.

Essential Functions:
Legal Advisory Services:

Provide expert legal counsel and guidance to the President, Board of Trustees, senior administrators, and other university officials on a wide range of legal matters affecting the institution.
Manage and direct the work of in-house legal staff, outside counsel, and other legal resources to effectively represent the university's interests in legal matters.
Advise on the legal aspects of a broad range of topics, including but not limited to:

Academic affairs
Compliance with federal and state regulations
Contracts
Employment law
Financing, including assessing and advising on current and future business structures and legal entities
Governance
Institutional policies
Intellectual property
Litigation
Name, image, and likeness rights in athletics, including compliance with applicable laws and NCAA rules
Real estate transactions
Research compliance
Risk management
Student affairs

Negotiate collective bargaining agreements and collaborate with unions representing university faculty, ensuring compliance with applicable labor laws and fostering constructive relationships between the university and union representatives.

Plan and direct all aspects of the university's legal affairs and ensure maximum protection of legal rights.

Legal Compliance and Risk Management:

Monitor and assess legal and regulatory developments impacting higher education, and ensure the university's compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and accreditation standards.
Identify legal risks and vulnerabilities across the institution and develop strategies to mitigate potential liabilities and safeguard the university's interests.

Policy Development and Review:

Participate in defining and developing institutional policies, procedures, and contracts to ensure legal compliance, clarity, and consistency with best practices and industry standards.
Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to develop and implement policies and practices that promote ethical conduct, transparency, and institutional integrity.

Litigation Management and Dispute Resolution:

Oversee the management of legal disputes, litigation, and regulatory proceedings involving the university, including coordination with external legal counsel as needed.
Represent the university in negotiations, mediation, arbitration, and other dispute resolution processes to achieve favorable outcomes and minimize legal exposure.
Participate in senior management policy deliberations, interact with the university Board of Trustees on university legal matters.
Judge the merits of all litigation brought against or on behalf of the university.

Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer:

Provide guidance on intellectual property matters, including patents, copyrights, trademarks, and licensing agreements, to protect the university's research and innovation assets.
Facilitate technology transfer and commercialization activities in collaboration with academic researchers, industry partners, and legal experts.

Competencies:

Knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, and best practices in higher education administration.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with the ability to assess complex legal issues and provide pragmatic solutions.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective relationships and collaborate across diverse stakeholder groups.
Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion with the ability to promote a culture of belonging and respect, and a track record of promoting these values in legal practice and institutional policies.

Required Education and Experience:

Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school and admission to the bar in the relevant jurisdiction.
A minimum of 10+ years' experience practicing law, preferably in-house within the area of higher education.
Expertise in revelent areas of law, including higher education, employment law, intellectual property law, and regulatory compliance.