Assistant/Associate General Counsel

Posting Details

Position Information

Position Title

Assistant/Associate General Counsel

Job Description

Missouri Western State University welcomes applicants for our Assistant/Associate General Counsel. Located in St. Joseph, Missouri, we are just 45 minutes north of Kansas City.

MWSU’s Office of General Counsel ( OGC ) is responsible for the management of the legal affairs of the University. Led by the Vice President and General Counsel, the office provides timely, creative, and practical legal advice to University leadership, including the Board of Governors, President, Provost, vice presidents, vice provosts, deans, and directors on the development and implementation of initiatives in support of the University’s mission.

The Assistant or Associate General Counsel ( OGC ) serves as a member of the Office of General Counsel and one of the legal advisors to MWSU . Under the direction of the Vice President and General Counsel the individual in this position provides legal support related to a variety of legal matters (e.g. employment, discrimination, Title IX, student affairs, accessibility, privacy and security, property, contracts, partnerships, real estate, risk management, compliance with local, state, and federal law, among many others).
The OGC seeks to ensure that University leaders are well equipped to navigate higher education’s complex regulatory landscape and to promote a climate of ethical behavior, integrity, and accountability. The Assistant/Associate General Counsel will work in collaboration with the Vice President and General Counsel on issues ranging from the mundane to the University’s most sensitive matters and their judgment and decisions have broad implications for the entire University.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES :

• Responsible for assisting in the oversight of University legal affairs; provides legal advice/guidance to internal University constituents, including Board of Governors and its committees.
• Demonstrates a holistic grasp of the University’s operations as well as a nuanced understanding of the University’s position in the context of the state of Missouri, and public higher education in the United States.
• Assists in the ongoing development of University policies and procedures; Board bylaws and policies; and promotes good governance.
• Reviews contracts as to form, legality, improvement themes, and makes recommendations.
• Researches legal issues and statutory case law; drafts and reviews opinions, resolutions, contracts.
• Ensures compliance with state and federal rules and regulations.
• Audits existing University policies and procedures for compliance with laws, regulations, and policies enacted by federal and state government entities.
• Provides or assists in the representation of the University in litigation where applicable.
• Other duties and special projects as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent analytical skills and demonstrated ability to conduct legal research, identify and present solutions, develop effective strategies, and prepare sound legal opinions and other legal documents.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize, work on, and advance multiple concurrent, complex projects and issues.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and cooperatively with professional colleagues and ability to collaborate with team members and internal clients.
• Knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations affecting public institutions of higher education.
• Ability to operate independently and collaboratively with a diverse group of internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• Effective negotiation skills.
• Strong time management skills; ability to handle multiple tasks with accuracy while adhering to tight deadlines.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office software (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access, and Outlook) and ability to operate other web-based platforms for situational awareness, information management, and mass notification.

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate degree from an ABA -accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law in Missouri OR the ability to become licensed within one (1) year of employment.
• At least three (3) years of experience as a practicing attorney required for Assistant title; seven (7) years of experience for the Associate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Practice experience in the area of higher education law, preferably as in-house counsel for a college or university.
• Practice experience with particular emphasis on contracts, intellectual property, accreditation, and regulatory compliance.
• Experience drafting, reviewing, and editing higher education or business governance documents, such as by-laws or policies.

Physical Demands

• Sedentary Work
• Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

FLSA

Exempt

Additional Demands

• May require occasional travel
• May require nights and weekend work

Important Information for Applicants
This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Hours of Work

Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number

S615P

Open Date

05/23/2023

Priority Deadline

06/05/2023

Open Until Filled

Yes