Associate General Counsel, Litigation & Contested Matters/Employment (Office of the VP & Genera...

Johns Hopkins University is seeking an Associate General Counsel, Litigation & Contested Matters / Employment. The Associate General Counsel will serve as a trusted legal advisor on labor and employment matters for the University as well as manage various aspects of disputes involving Johns Hopkins University ("JHU" or "the University"), including demand letters, claims, administrative charges, lawsuits, and other contested matters.

The Associate General Counsel will primarily be responsible for providing legal advice and counsel regarding employment-related risk to the University, including advising on faculty and employee separation agreements, negotiating settlements, and supporting labor negotiations. The Associate General Counsel will also be responsible for the assessment, strategic development, and case management of litigation and disputes involving the University. Examples of such disputes include employment discrimination and wage and hour claims filed with government agencies; breach of contract claims; discrimination claims including Title VI, Title VII, and Title IX claims, and labor arbitrations.

The Associate General Counsel will work primarily in the Litigation & Contested Matters Practice Group with a secondary assignment in the Student Affairs and Employment Matters Practice Group within the Office of the Senior Vice President and General Counsel (OGC). The Associate General Counsel will also have independent responsibility for a variety of legal matters as assigned. The desired candidate will have excellent communication and analytical skills and be willing to collaborate with other attorneys within the OGC and with institutional clients to accomplish the goals of the University.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide advice and counsel regarding a broad array of employment matters, including faculty appointments, staff and student-employee hiring, progressive discipline, separations, compensation, benefits, leaves of absence, disability and religious accommodations, grievances and reductions-in-force, professional misconduct and tenure review and revocation, working closely with the provost's office and central and divisional human resources as appropriate.
• Provide advice and counsel regarding a broad array of labor and union-related matters, including collective bargaining, grievances, arbitrations, contract administration, and unfair labor practices, including by representing the University in negotiations and before boards, as necessary.
• Prepare position statements for submission to administrative agencies, including the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the U.S. Office for Civil Rights, the U.S. Department of Labor and state agencies, including the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights.
• Coordinate response to governmental or external investigations, audits, and inquiries regarding compliance with the laws, regulations, and policies governing the University, including conducting internal fact-gathering efforts and managing outside legal counsel.
• Review and advise on employment-related policies, procedures, and rules impacting faculty, staff, and students.
• Advise University constituents regarding legal, regulatory, and policy requirements.
• Conduct legal research, analyzing laws, regulations, and case precedents.
• Manage outside legal counsel in navigating complex matters with legal risk implications for the University.
• Provide training to faculty and staff regarding a variety of matters, including institutional policies, federal, and state law and regulations.
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

Required Experience

• A minimum of five (5) years of experience practicing labor and employment law.
• Strong knowledge of labor and employment laws, including Title VII, FLSA, ADA, ADEA, FMLA, and other employment-related statutes and regulations.
• Superior legal negotiating, drafting, and presentation skills.
• Excellent communication, writing, and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and to prioritize multiple and competing projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to demonstrate good judgment and work independently in a highly complex organization.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Juris Doctor.
• Five years of legal experience required.
• Additional education may substitute for required experience, and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond a high school diploma/graduation equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Five (5) years of experience providing legal counsel to an institution of higher education, particularly advising on both labor and employment matters, and matters involving faculty and students.
• Experience advising on labor and union-related matters, including collective bargaining, grievances, arbitrations, contract administration, and unfair labor practices.
• Experience advising on Title VI and Title IX.
• Experience managing all phases of litigation and contested matters is strongly preferred.
• Strong relationship building skills and ability to work collaboratively and be a highly supportive member of cross-function legal and client teams.
  
  

Personal Traits and Attributes

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate (both orally and in written form) in order to engender trust, confidence, and respect from academics, scientists, doctors, lawyers, business and finance leaders, members of government bodies, and senior institutional officials.
• A lawyer who is sensitive to and understands the special nature of working in an academic institution where the need for a collaborative working style, flexibility, adaptability, and patience is critical to success.
• Superior intellect, with the ability to think critically and make clear and well-reasoned decisions in complex and ambiguous situations.
• Absolute integrity, a strong character, a positive attitude, and a sense of humor.
• Gravitas, judgment, and self-confidence, but also humility, deference, respect for others, and willingness to work as a team member.
• A lawyer who sees the big picture, is practical, and who will bring to the position energy and a sense of urgency and a passion for the mission of JHU.
• Strategic and innovative thinker who can bring value to his or her clients and find creative solutions to complex legal problems.
  
  

Classified Title: Associate General Counsel

Job Posting Title (Working Title): Associate General Counsel, Litigation & Contested Matters/Employment (Office of the VP & General Counsel)

Role/Level/Range: ATP/04/PI

Starting Salary Range: $135,900 - $238,400 Annually (Commensurate w/exp.)

Employee group: Full Time

Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm

FLSA Status: Exempt

Location: Hybrid/Homewood Campus

Department name: VP and General Counsel Office of

Personnel area: University Administration