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

About the role

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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Qualifications

• A minimum of a 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.
• 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.

Benefits

CUNY offers 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.