Senior Managing Counsel

Position Summary

The SUNY Office of General Counsel is seeking a Senior Managing Counsel (Associate Counsel) to represent the University at Buffalo Campus.

The Senior Managing Counsel is responsible for all matters affecting the legal interests of the campus and reports to the SUNY General Counsel with the University at Buffalo President being the chief client for all legal matters. The Senior Managing Counsel works closely with Vice Presidents and senior staff for the efficient management of legal affairs and provision of legal services.

The Senior Managing Counsel is responsible for the immediate administrative management and oversight of the Buffalo counsel’s office including the supervision of associate and assistant counsels, paralegal and secretary, and the assignment of legal matters. Reporting for budgetary purposes through the President’s Office, the Senior Managing Counsel also manages the office budget, as set by the campus, which includes oversight of the purchasing of office supplies and equipment, managing the expenditure of travel and continuing legal education monies, recommendation to campus with approval of the SUNY General Counsel for the engagement of retained counsel for certain legal matters and the recommendation to the SUNY General Counsel on hiring or termination of direct reports.

The Senior Managing Counsel is responsible for providing high-quality legal services to the campus, its administrators, faculty and staff on all legal matters affecting the management and operation of the institution by:

• demonstrating competence in substantive areas of the law affecting the campus;
• zealous and creative representation of clients’ legal interests;
• research that is thorough, relevant and of assistance to clients;
• legal drafting that is clear and concise;
• providing competent legal advice and counsel on a broad variety of issues;
• legal writing that is clear, persuasive and supported by competent legal authority;
• timely completion of clients’ legal work;
• maintaining good relationships and communicating effectively with clients;
• adhering to the highest professional and ethical standards;
• an ongoing commitment to professional development and service; and
• keeping clients updated on changes to the law affecting Buffalo’s legal interests.

The Senior Managing Counsel handles a wide range of issues pertaining to the operation of a large public research university and issues unique to higher educational institutions, including, but not limited to: SUNY governance (Board of Trustees and Buffalo University Council), human resources (hiring, firing, tenure, promotion, disabilities), labor relations (discipline and termination), discrimination (Title IX, ADA, 504, DHR ), contracts (wide range of goods and services, including construction), student affiliation and internship agreements, student discipline, student complaints, internal investigations, compliance, policy development and implementation, legislation (drafting and interpretation), research (leases, grants, compliance, misconduct), export control, audit, FERPA, FOIL, NYS Open Meetings, real property (leasing, easements, revocable permits), and litigation (interfacing and supporting the NYS Attorney General or retained counsel).

The position reports directly to the SUNY System Office of General Counsel regarding all aspects of the position. In addition, Senior Managing Counsel will interface with other members within the OGC to coordinate the delivery of consistent legal services, including the participation in OGC staff meetings and trainings. The Senior Managing Counsel also works directly with legal counsel for affiliated organizations within the SUNY and University at Buffalo governance structure, including the SUNY Research Foundation, the Faculty-Student Association (an auxiliary services corporation), the UB Foundation, Alumni Association, health sciences practice plans, and other affiliates. Senior Managing Counsel will directly handle or delegate to direct reports all other duties as may be assigned by the SUNY General Counsel; or arise in the context of campus operations.

UB Overview


UB is a premier, research-intensive public university dedicated to academic excellence. A member of the Association of American Universities, UB is the largest and most comprehensive university within the 64-campus State University of New York ( SUNY ) system. The premier center for graduate and professional education among SUNY campuses, UB enrolls more than 30,000 students (approximately 2/3 undergraduates and 1/3 graduate and professional students). UB is located in the Buffalo-Niagara region of the state, New York’s largest upstate metropolitan area.

UB’s strong senior leadership team is headed by the university’s 15th president, Dr. Satish K. Tripathi, who previously served as UB’s provost until being appointed as president in 2011, and who was the central architect of UB’s strategic plan. President Tripathi’s vision for the future focuses on enhancing UB’s prominence and reputation as one of the nation’s premier public research universities through impactful research, scholarly distinction, transformative student experiences, and far-reaching service to local, state, national, and international communities.

Diversity, inclusion, equity, and respect are core values of the UB community. UB recognizes that a diverse, equitable and inclusive community is an essential foundation for achieving academic excellence and success, and is committed to recruiting, supporting, mentoring and retaining faculty, staff and students from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives.

The State University of New York


The State University of New York is the nation’s largest and most comprehensive state university system, consisting of 64 campuses including major research universities, health science centers, comprehensive and technical colleges, and community colleges, all committed to providing a broad range of outstanding academic programs for students within New York and from around the world. It enrolls more than 415,000 students annually, employs more than 90,000 faculty and staff, and connects more than three million alumni around the world. Dr. Jim Malatras was named the 14th Chancellor of SUNY in August 2020.

The University at Buffalo is one of four research centers in the SUNY system, along with the University at Albany, Binghamton University and Stony Brook University.
Minimum Qualifications

• J.D. degree from an ABA accredited law school
• Admission in good standing to the New York State Bar (or eligibility for immediate admission)
• Litigation experience
• Managerial experience

This position requires strong critical thinking and strategic skills; excellent legal analysis and reasoning skills; proactive approach to problem solving; ability to be a team player; excellent attention to detail; impeccable oral and written communication skills; including negotiation skills; superior organizational skills; ability to handle multiple priorities in a dynamically fluid environment; and the ability to identify, frame, and solve complex legal issues creatively and to convey advice clearly and effectively. Must be able to take initiative and exercise independent judgment. Position also requires strong interpersonal skills and a diplomatic, personable, responsive, and practical approach to internal clients and to outside third parties.
Preferred Qualifications

Higher education experience, including with an Academic Medical Center.

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