Associate General Counsel

Associate General Counsel

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 include:

• 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 include:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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 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 include:

• 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 include:

• 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 include:

• 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 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 are provided to qualified individuals with covered disabilities on a case-by