Associate General Counsel

Definition

Provides complex legal analysis, advice and counsel, and representation to executives, administrators, and staff regarding a wide array of legal matters arising from operational issues, practices, decisions, and transactions related to the District and its programs and activities.


Typical Duties

Provides complex legal analysis, advice and counsel, and representation in a wide variety of operational areas including but not limited to:

• Academic affairs including intellectual property, academic freedom, and tenure;
• Student affairs including student organizations, student discipline, and athletics;
• College and District governance including powers, authority, functions, jurisdiction, and rules and regulations;
• Financial management including finance, bond financing, non-profit law, and fundraising;
• Business management including contracts and purchasing, construction, real estate, land use and leases, joint ventures and commercial collaborations, risk management, and insurance;
• Human resources management including employment, labor relations, discrimination, discipline, and compliance, and;
• General governance, including Brown Act, Public Records Act, and Conflict of Interest.

Conducts complex legal research and investigation of claims and defenses and provides written findings, opinions, recommendations, and memoranda.


Proactively identifies potential legal risks to the District to protect the organization from undue legal exposure, liability, and financial loss.


Develops, assesses, and communicates alternative legal strategies to District administrators to facilitate informed decision-making and to anticipate and manage legal risks.


Provides preventive legal services and counsel to District officials so that all activities comply with applicable laws and District policies.


Negotiates complex contracts, agreements, and settlements on behalf of the District which are consistent with District interests, law, and relevant rules of professional responsibility.


Composes legal documents such as legal memos, briefs, pleadings, filings, contracts, and agreements.


Reviews and responds to correspondence and demands from regulatory and legislative bodies, courts, and outside law firms.


Represents the District at judicial and administrative proceedings such as court appearances, appeal hearings, arbitrations, negotiating sessions, and grievance hearings.


Coordinates work performed by outside counsel by assisting with case evaluation, producing requested documents and witnesses, and participating in the development of strategies and arguments in preparation for case presentation.


Monitors and oversees outside counsel's handling of legal matters, including reviewing discovery, motions, and attending mediations and settlement conferences.


Coordinates and provides in-service training on legal matters for the purpose of keeping administrators and staff informed of the latest changes in the law and policy and to prevent errors in their application.


Assists policy makers by drafting new and amended policies, regulations, and procedures for the purpose of ensuring legal format, intent, and compliance with applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and ordinances.


Provides work direction to professional, technical, and clerical staff assigned to the Office of General Counsel


Provides oversight for completing and filing reports for federal and/or state regulatory agencies in a timely manner.


Participates in the management of legal records and documents; responds to public records requests.


Attends meetings of the Board of Trustees and Board committees, as assigned, to provide legal analysis and advice on legal and procedural matters.


Represents the Office of General Counsel at meetings, workshops, and seminars relating to school legal services.


Performs related duties as assigned.


Distinguishing Characteristics

An Associate General Counsel researches and provides legal advice and counsel on a wide array of legal matters to the Board of Trustees, Personnel Commission, Chancellor, and administrative staff as directed by the General Counsel. Employees in this class address difficult legal or factual questions which are complex because of the absence of clearly applicable precedents or are more highly arguable because of the complexity of the facts or the different possible constructions which may be placed on either the facts or the laws and precedents involved.


An Assistant General Counsel researches and provides legal advice and counsel to the Board of Trustees, Personnel Commission, and Chancellor and administrative staff as directed by the General Counsel. Employees in this class address legal questions or factual situations that can be relatively easily resolved in the light of the well-established or easily determinable facts with clearly applicable precedents involved.


A General Counsel is the executive responsible for providing a vision and strategic plan for the legal services of the District; leading and coordinating the legal affairs of the District; providing legal advice and support to the Chancellor, the Board of Trustees, Personnel Commission, and the District leadership on business, legal, and public policy issues.


Supervision

General supervision is received from the General Counsel. Work direction is provided to professional, technical, and clerical staff assigned to the Office of General Counsel. Functional supervision is exercised over assigned outside legal counsel.


Class Qualifications

Knowledge of:

Legal principles, practices, and procedures related to civil, constitutional, contract, employment, administrative, and business law


Legal principles and practices applicable to public entities in general and public educational institutions in particular, including open meeting laws


Methods, procedures and practices used in the conduct of civil litigation


Judicial procedures and rules of evidence


Methods of legal research


Fact-finding methods and procedures


Methods and techniques for evaluating legal risks and liabilities and the business and practical consequences of related legal strategies


Provisions of federal, state, and local legislation, statutes, codes, procedures and court decisions related to community college education and operations


Mission, goals, organization, and key personnel of the District


District Board Rules and administrative policies


Principles of business and public administration


Principles of training


Capabilities of computer systems, software, and hardware related to the provision of legal services


Ability to:


Proactively create and present a plan of action, and independently manage complex legal projects to favorable resolution or conclusion


Prioritize and manage multiple time-sensitive projects simultaneously to meet timing and project needs


Analyze complex legal issues and their significance


Measure and evaluate risks and the business and practical consequences of alternative legal strategies


Proficiently conduct legal research using LEXIS/NEXIS, Westlaw, and other online research tools


Synthesize complex legal issues in readily understandable terms for clients throughout the District with different abilities and responsibilities


Write complex legal/technical documents such as legal memos, briefs, pleadings, filings, contracts, and agreements


Effectively communicate and engage with personnel at many different levels throughout the District, outside legal counsel, business partners, and the public


Guide and develop the potential of lower-level attorneys and paralegals


Maintain moral and ethical standards that reflect honesty, integrity, credibility, and reliability


Travel to various locations within and outside the District


Entrance Qualifications

Education and Experience


Juris Doctor degree from an accredited American Bar Association school of law; and


License to practice law in the State of California; and


Membership in good standing with the California Bar Association; and


Five years of full-time, paid experience in the practice of educational and/or public sector law.


Special:


Must maintain active bar membership in good standing throughout employment with the Los Angeles Community College District.


Possession of a Class C California driver's license must be obtained within 10 days of establishing residency in the State of California


Benefits

• Medical and dental insurance and vision care plans are provided for employees and their dependents.
• A $50,000 life insurance policy is provided free of charge for each employee.
• New employees receive 12 full-pay days and 88 half-pay days of illness leave.
• 19 paid holidays per year.
• Vacation days accrue annually beginning at 10 days and increasing incrementally to 24 days depending on years of service with the District. Vacation days for management and confidential positions begin at 15, 20, or 24 days.
• Other paid time off includes: bereavement leave, personal necessity leave, court subpoena, and jury duty.
• Employees become members of the Public Employees Retirement System. Employees are also covered by Social Security.
• Employee Assistance Program

Selection Process

The examination process may consist of one or more parts which may include a training and experience evaluation, written test, performance test and/or oral interview.

Reasonable Accommodations

Our class specification generally describes the duties, responsibilities, and requirements characteristic of the position(s) within this job class. The duties, responsibilities, and requirements of a particular position within this class may vary from the duties of other positions within the class.


In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Los Angeles Community College District provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with covered disabilities on a case-by-case basis throughout the application, examination, and hiring processes and throughout employment. If an individual is in doubt about their ability to perform the duties and responsibilities of a position or possession of any other requirement noted in a class specification or job announcement, they should always apply for a position and request reasonable accommodation at the appropriate time.