Assistant General Counsel

Reporting to the General Counsel and working as part of the two-attorney General Counsel's Office, the Assistant General Counsel will work to provide expert legal and regulatory advice to the school, assess legal risks, conduct extensive research, draft policies and contracts, and help ensure that Southwestern Law School is compliant with federal and state regulations.

This is a hybrid position (typically two days per week on campus) and must be available for work during Southwestern’s business hours (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Pacific Time).

Legal Advice and Institutional Risk

• Provides practical, solution-oriented legal advice, analysis, and strategic counsel to the Law School on a broad range of legal, regulatory, compliance, and risk management matters.
• Proactively identifies emerging legal and regulatory risks and recommends measures to promote compliance, prevent disputes, mitigate institutional exposure, and avoid litigation.
• Conducts legal research and analysis regarding complex legal, regulatory, and compliance issues affecting the Law School.
• Keeps institutional leadership informed of significant legal developments, emerging risks, potential claims, and regulatory changes.
• Supports institutional governance, enterprise risk management, and strategic initiatives through legal analysis and counsel.

Student Matters

• Serves as the primary legal advisor on student matters, including:
• Academic affairs and student conduct;
• Disability accommodations;
• Grievances and complaints;
• Title VI and Title IX;
• FERPA and student privacy;
• Leaves of absence; and
• Other legal and regulatory matters involving students.
• Advises administrators and other institutional decision-makers regarding legally appropriate and institutionally sound responses to student matters.
• Serves as Secretary of the Student Support and Emergency Team (SSET).

Investigations, Complaints, and External Matters

• Conducts or oversees internal investigations involving students, employees, or other institutional matters.
• Advises leadership regarding investigative processes, findings, legal risks, and appropriate institutional responses.
• Assists with the Law School’s responses to complaints, subpoenas, citations, reporting obligations, requests for information, and other inquiries or proceedings initiated by governmental or non-governmental organizations.
• Reports potential claims and relevant factual circumstances to the appropriate insurance companies.
• Coordinates and manages outside counsel as assigned.

Contracts, Policies, and Compliance

• Drafts, reviews, negotiates, interprets, and advises regarding contracts, memoranda of understanding, policies, procedures, handbooks, and other legal documents.
• Develops, implements, reviews, and maintains institutional policies and compliance programs to promote legal compliance and mitigate institutional risk.
• Provides legal and compliance training to faculty, staff, and administrators as needed.

Specialized Legal and Regulatory Areas

• Provides legal guidance regarding matters involving:
• Accreditation and higher education regulation;
• Nonprofit governance;
• Privacy and information governance;
• Real estate and construction;
• Insurance; and
• Federal, state, and local regulatory compliance.

Institutional Service and Professional Development

• Represents the General Counsel's Office on institutional committees, working groups, and cross-functional initiatives.
• Manages the conflict-of-interest disclosure process for the Law School.
• Maintains current knowledge of developments in higher education law, nonprofit governance, and other areas relevant to the Law School.
• Participates in seminars, workshops, professional associations, and other professional-development activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Education, Experience, and Licensure

• J.D. degree from an ABA-approved law school.
• Active license to practice law in the State of California; no record of discipline in any jurisdiction.
• Prefer at least three years of legal practice in a nonprofit organization, in-house legal department, or law firm.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required

• Commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards, personal and professional integrity, and discretion in maintaining confidentiality.
• Strong written and oral communication skills in public and private settings; ability to translate complex legal issues for lay and lawyer audiences.
• Demonstrates exceptional judgment and a nuanced understanding of both legal risks and organizational dynamics to provide strategic counsel that supports institutional goals while addressing stakeholder concerns.
• Flexibility and ability to handle multiple projects, both large and small, simultaneously.
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently in a high-pressure environment.
• Ability to respond quickly and appropriately to emergency situations and to meet deadlines.
• Ability to analyze situations and identify legal, compliance, and risk issues, propose alternative practical solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and recommend actions aligned with the school’s mission and goals.
• Collaborative work style and ability to work diplomatically with individuals from a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Knowledge and understanding of institutional policies and procedures and the regulatory environment in which they operate.
• Accuracy and meticulous attention to detail.
• Highly organized; excellent time-management skills.
• Excellent critical thinking and listening skills.
• Ability to apply creative problem-solving skills to develop solutions within established policies, guidelines, accreditation standards, and applicable law.
• Ability to make administrative/procedural decisions and judgments.
• Highest level of research and analytical skills.
• Ability to foster a cooperative work environment.
• Capacity to quickly develop expertise in legal issues and areas relevant to higher and legal education.

Salary: $155,000 - $180,000/year, depending on experience

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