Chief Legal Counsel

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The Chief Legal Counsel serves as the chief legal advisor to the Executive Vice Chancellor, Board of Trustees, senior leadership team and administrators, and heads the Office of Legal Affairs which provides legal advice and counsel on all matters affecting the legal rights or obligations of the University.

Under the general direction of the Executive Vice Chancellor, the Chief Legal Counsel has significant responsibilities related to the governance system, ethical behavior of all leadership, and regulatory compliance. The role is responsible for providing broad policy advice to the Executive Vice Chancellor and the Chancellor's executive leadership team, as well as providing respected personnel advice on a broad range of issues related to senior leadership.

Familiarity with a broad array of legal issues that arise in a higher education setting and/or experience as counsel in higher education is preferred.
Additional qualifications include:

The position requires a minimum of ten years of legal practice experience in a relevant area, having attained a senior position of responsibility in firm, corporation, government agency, or other organization that employs the individual; hold a JD degree from an American Bar Association accredited law school, be a member in good standing of the Bar of the state or recognized jurisdiction in which the individual practices law; and have the prompt eligibility for such license and standing in North Carolina.

The candidate must also have a North Carolina State Bar membership in good standing, or licensure in good standing in another state on the date of initial employment and licensure to practice law in North Carolina within one year following initial employment.

Consistent with the policy of the State of North Carolina, North Carolina Central University ( NCCU) reaffirms that it has been, and will continue to be, the policy of this University to be an equal opportunity employer.North Carolina Central University is committed to providing educational opportunities and prohibits discrimination against students, applicants, employees, or visitors based on race, color, genetic information, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, political affiliation, or veteran status.Any individual alleging discrimination based on sexual orientation cannot grieve beyond the University's internal grievance process. In keeping with this policy, and to further the principle of equal opportunity, all other personnel matters such as recruitment, selection, hiring, promotion, compensation, performance appraisal, disciplinary actions, benefits, transfers, separations, reduction in force, grievance procedures, company-sponsored training, education, tuition assistance, and social and recreational programs will also continue to be administered in accordance with this policy.

The Chief Legal Counsel provides advice and counsel on all legal matters relevant to the University transactional matters, compliance and regulatory affairs, intellectual property, technology transfer, labor and employment, administrative procedures and open records among many other items. The Chief Legal Counsel coordinates the University's legal affairs with federal, state, local government and affiliated entities. The position supervises a staff that consist of, the Assistant University Legal Counsel, a paralegal, and a Higher Education Legal Fellow.

The position requires a trustworthy, highly responsible advisor and leader who can provide timely, strategic and creative strategies for solving legal problems and capitalizing on legal opportunities. The Chief Legal Counsel must possess an appreciation for the mission, vision and values of a diverse academic community and have a clear sense of the role and impact of shared governance at NCCU. The individual in this position must be able to thrive in a highly collaborative environment; translate complex ideas into cogent messages; and partner with the necessary stakeholders to drive change. As a senior advisor to the Executive Vice Chancellor, Chief Legal Counsel must possess exceptional judgment.