University Associate General Counsel, Litigation, Employment and Student Affairs Unit (New York)

University Associate General Counsel, Litigation, Employment and Student Affairs Unit

POSITION DETAILS

The Office of the Senior Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs and General Counsel (OGC) at The City University of New York (CUNY) is the system-wide resource for legal advice and representation. The OGC assists CUNY’s decision makers in advancing the University’s educational mission by providing expert, relevant and timely legal advice, guidance, and advocacy. The OGC provides legal assistance and advice to the Board of Trustees, the University’s central administration and its 26 constituent schools and colleges, and its services touch all operational areas of the University and its campuses.

Reporting to the University Executive Counsel for Litigation, Employment and Student Affairs, the University Associate General Counsel will serve in OGC’s Litigation, Employment, and Student Affairs Unit (LESA). This attorney will provide in-house legal advice and representation on CUNY matters involving faculty, staff, and students. The role is central to the University’s handling and management of employee disciplinary proceedings and labor arbitrations, advises on alleged employee and student misconduct, collaborates with outside counsel in various litigations, handle discrimination complaints filed with external agencies, and advises on alleged employee/student misconduct. This attorney will also work on special projects on behalf of OGC as assigned by OGC leadership and additionally will directly advise senior administrators CUNY-wide on challenging matters impacting public higher education institutions.

In addition to the CUNY Title Overview information, other key duties include, but will not be limited to the following:

• Lead the University’s handling of employee disciplinary proceedings, labor arbitrations, administrative hearings, external agency complaints, and related dispute-resolution processes.

• Direct and collaborate with outside counsel on various litigation matters, ensuring alignment with University legal objectives and institutional priorities, while supporting institutional risk management.

• Advise on matters involving alleged employee and student misconduct, in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

• Identify, advise on, and help mitigate complex legal and operational matters affecting public higher education.

• Partner with OGC leadership and University stakeholders on special initiatives, policy development, and cross-functional projects.

• Perform related duties as assigned.

NOTES

1. Until further notice, this position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule.

2. This position is excluded from union representation in the collective bargaining unit.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum

• Juris Doctorate degree from an ABA-accredited law school and five years’ related experience.

• New York State Bar membership in good standing, or admission in another jurisdiction with eligibility for admission to the NYS bar in the first year of employment.

Preferred

• Litigation experience, including trial practice and/or labor arbitrations or administrative hearings.

• Experience handling labor or employment matters, particularly public employee labor and employment law.

• Experience advising on and applying federal, state, and local anti-discrimination, civil rights, accessibility, privacy, and education laws, including the ADA, FERPA, Title II, Title VI, Title VII, and/or Title IX.

The successful candidate will also demonstrate a high level of effectiveness in the following areas:

• Legal writing, analysis, and professional judgment.

• Interpersonal communication and collaboration.

• Personal organization, sound work habits, and the ability to manage multiple complex matters.

• Accuracy, discretion, and attention to detail.

• Use of legal and administrative technology, including legal software (Westlaw, Lexis, Workshare Compare, Clearwell) and collaboration tools (Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Microsoft 365).

CUNY TITLE OVERVIEW

Provides professional in-house legal advice, representation, and assistance on a wide variety of issues and participates in evaluating and developing University policy related to legal matters.

• Represents the University and its campuses at various types of internal and external meetings, negotiations, proceedings, and other activities

• Provides legal counsel and guidance to University and campus leadership

• Assists outside counsel and works as a team with other in-house and college attorneys

• Provides legal and policy analysis of issues and participates in developing and drafting policy

• May be assigned to one or more area of legal specialization as detailed below under Campus-Specific information

• May supervise non-attorney staff and/or student employees

• Performs other related duties, as assigned

CUNY TITLE

Higher Education Officer

FLSA

Exempt

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The salary range is $145,671 - $155,388 , commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Effective 9/1/26, salaries of eligible employees will be adjusted by 3.5%, in accordance with the terms of the PSC-CUNY collective bargaining agreement.

CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.