Associate Legal Counsel - Hunter College

About the role

The Associate Legal Counsel provides professional in-house legal advice, representation, and performs legal duties at Hunter College, a CUNY campus. They provide legal counsel to senior campus administrators, guide on implementing and complying with policies, and prepare legal documents and contracts.

Responsibilities

• Provides legal advice to the College on various issues including employment and labor law, contracts, non-profit law, governance, ethics, civil rights, and immigration law.
• Collaborates with attorneys in CUNY’s Office of the General Counsel and Office of Labor Relations in connection with litigation, investigations, reviews, complaints, union grievances, and arbitrations.
• Acts as Labor Designee for Hunter College for union grievances, conducts hearings, and drafts decisions.
• Drafts and reviews contracts, agreements, and memoranda, ensuring compliance with state procurement laws.
• Supports Institutional Advancement in drafting gift agreements and resolutions for the CUNY Board of Trustees.
• Understands and provides guidance on finance protocols, foundations, associations, auxiliaries, scholarships, fellowships, and gifts.
• Provides advice on compliance with federal, New York State, and New York City legal requirements, CUNY policies and procedures, and contractual obligations.
• Advises on student affairs matters such as residency, immigration, religious and medical accommodation, and disciplinary matters.
• Reviews and responds to Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests, subpoenas, and other requests for college, employee, and student records.
• Assists with ethics trainings and provides advice to faculty and staff in accordance with state requirements.
• Assists with preparation and facilitation of trainings, including best practices, legal compliance, and ethics.
• Provides guidance to department chairs, non-academic staff, and senior staff, including the President.
• Prepares reports, data analysis, and reviews of procedures.
• Attends governance, Senate, and other official meetings as assigned.
• Advise on Public Safety, Clery Act, violations of Henderson Laws, legal violations, and collegiate athletic issues.
• Prepares, maintains, and reviews visa sponsorship materials for faculty in collaboration with external counsel.
• Prepares presentations on immigration issues and procedural protocols as requested.
• Works with the NYS Office of the Attorney General and NYC Law Department on litigation matters.
• Assists with document productions, deposition preparation, motion practice, and court appearances.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and eight years’ related experience required.
• J.D. and five years' related experience required.
• Membership in New York State Bar required.

Benefits

CUNY offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees and eligible dependents based on job title and classification. Employees are also offered pension and Tax-Deferred Savings Plans. Part-time employees must meet a weekly or semester work hour criteria to be eligible for health benefits. Health benefits are also extended to retirees who meet the eligibility criteria.