What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate General Counsel position at Vanderbilt University?
The Associate General Counsel’s primary role will be to provide practical, knowledgeable, comprehensive legal counsel to university administrators on a wide range of labor and emploemployment-related, including day to day-to-dayce, compliance, training, and investigations. A successful candidate will have the ability to reach rapid and accurate decisions in high-profile and time-sensitive circumstances, as well as the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
The Associate General Counsel may also work within the highly collaborative Office of the General Counsel to provide advice and counsel on a variety of other issues facing academic institutions and large employers, based on the individual’s experience and interests and the needs of the university. The Office of the General Counsel provides legal advice to all Vanderbilt departments in areas covering contracts, intellectual property, taxation, business matters, and personnel issues (including tenure).
About the Work Unit :
The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) provides legal advice to all Vanderbilt University departments. The OGC commits to agile service delivery aligned with the university's mission, priorities, and needs. All litigation proceedings are managed by the Office of the General Counsel on behalf of the university.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Advise clients on time-sensitive issues in situations involving labor and employment matters for faculty and staff, which may include complaints and related investigations as well as compliance matters with complex interpersonal dynamics.
- Demonstrate strong analytical and counseling skills, judgment, and empathy.
- Conduct legal research and provide clear and practical written and oral advice.
- Produce work on a level of parity with sophisticated outside counsel and interact successfully with senior officers of the university.
- Advise on and develop university processes and policies. Serve as legal advisor to key Vanderbilt work groups, committees, boards, and other related entities as assigned.
- Understand and manage risk and compliance issues in a complex environment. Provide guidance and assistance to other colleagues in the Office of the General Counsel in a highly collaborative fashion.
- Engage and manage outside counsel as needed to represent Vanderbilt University.
- Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned or required in an evolving environment.
Education and Certifications:
- JD degree
Qualifications :
- JD degree and a minimum of five (5) years of legal experience.
- Employment contingent upon State of Tennessee licensure or registration and receipt of In-House Counsel Practice Certificate.
- The successful candidate must also apply for and become fully licensed in the State of Tennessee within 12 months of employment.
- Experience providing legal counsel to an institution of higher education or in academic or non-profit settings is preferred.
- The candidate is expected to be proficient in using common technology for document creation and management, including the Microsoft Office suite.
- Legal project management experience and skills would be preferable.
At Vanderbilt University , our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville , Tennessee, on a 330 acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of “America’s Best Large Employers” as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice through:
- Working and growing together as a community of communities... we are One Vanderbilt .
- Providing a work environment where every staff and faculty member can be their authentic and best self , while providing the resources and opportunities to learn and grow.
- Encouraging development, collaboration, and partnership both internally and externally while fostering the value that every member of the Vanderbilt community can lead and grow regardless of title or position.
We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might become a part of our story.
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Vanderbilt University has made the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff and our surrounding communities a top priority. As part of that commitment, the University requires all employees to (1) participate in any required on-campus COVID-19 testing protocol as may then be in effect, or (2) show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19.
