General Counsel

Fully on-site position with a dedicated office at the duty station.

About the Role

The General 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 General Counsel has significant responsibilities related to the governance system, ethical behavior of all leadership, and regulatory compliance. The role provides broad policy advice to the Executive Vice Chancellor and the Chancellor’s executive leadership team, as well as respected personnel advice on a broad range of issues related to senior leadership.

Responsibilities

• Provides advice and counsel on all legal matters relevant to the University, including transactional matters, compliance and regulatory affairs, intellectual property, technology transfer, labor and employment, administrative procedures, and open records.
• Coordinates the University’s legal affairs with federal, state, local government, and affiliated entities.
• Supervises a staff consisting of the Assistant University Legal Counsel, a paralegal, and a Higher Education Legal Fellow.
• Provides timely, strategic, and creative strategies for solving legal problems and capitalizing on legal opportunities.
• Maintains proactive, timely, and collaborative communication with University leadership and key stakeholders.
• Engages appropriate parties early in matters that may present significant legal, regulatory, employment, financial, operational, or reputational risk.
• Translates complex legal matters into clear, practical, and actionable guidance, including an assessment of risk, available options, and potential consequences.
• Distinguishes between legal advice, policy interpretation, operational recommendations, and decisions that rest with the responsible University administrator.
• Works closely with OHR on labor and employment matters, including disciplinary actions, investigations, grievances, accommodations, and separations.
• Establishes effective protocols for consultation, escalation, documentation, and follow-up.
• Communicates significant risks, deadlines, and unresolved issues promptly while maintaining appropriate confidentiality.

Requirements

• Minimum of ten years of legal practice experience in a relevant area, having attained a senior position of responsibility in a firm, corporation, government agency, or other organization.
• JD degree from an American Bar Association accredited law school.
• Member in good standing of the Bar of the state or recognized jurisdiction in which the individual practices law.
• Prompt eligibility for licensure and standing in North Carolina.
• 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.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Experience in a broad spectrum of state and federal legal issues affecting higher education, including tort law, intellectual property rights, human resources law, worker’s compensation and occupational health law, and student legal issues.
• Ability to conduct legal research and analysis.
• Strong diplomatic and interpersonal skills.
• Keen sense of contemporary diversity issues.
• Superior oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage and prioritize a large and varied workload.
• Established reputation for honesty and integrity.
• Ability to provide leadership and direction for the legal staff.
• Collaborative work style and the ability to work effectively as part of an institutional leadership team.

Benefits

• Accrued vacation and sick leave.
• Community service leave.
• NC State Health Benefits.
• NCFlex (Vision, Dental, Flexible Spending Account, Life Insurance, and more).
• 11-12 paid holidays.
• Teachers and State Employees Retirement System (TSERS).
• Optional Supplemental Plans (401k, 403b, 457b, and 457).
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Campus Recreation Center discount.
• University Bookstore discount and more.