Assistant General Counsel

Bryn Mawr College•Bryn Mawr, PA

49d•Hybrid

About The Position

Bryn Mawr College, the preeminent college for women interested in the pursuit of wisdom, seeks an experienced and collaborative Assistant General Counsel (AGC) to join the Office of the General Counsel (OGC). Reporting directly to the General Counsel, the AGC will provide timely, thoughtful, and strategic legal support to the College's academic and administrative leadership across a broad range of institutional matters. This position provides the uniquely rewarding experience of practicing law within higher education in today's changing legal landscape and will work collaboratively with campus partners to advance the mission of the College and the objectives of leadership. The person in this role will be instrumental in advising on legal, regulatory, and compliance risks while aligning with the College's commitment to educating and empowering women. The successful candidate will have outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, the ability to solve complex problems in a collaborative way, a high degree of composure when faced with challenges, and the highest degree of integrity. Qualified candidates will have the ability to operate as a generalist within OGC, handling a wide range of legal issues, and will also have significant experience with contract review, employee relations, and student affairs or a willingness to develop expertise in these areas.

Requirements

J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school.
Must be licensed to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction. If not licensed in Pennsylvania, must be eligible for admission within twelve (12) months.
A minimum of five (5) years providing advice and counsel on regulatory compliance matters within: (i) a college or university legal department; (ii) a law firm working for complex clients; (iii) a relevant nonprofit institution; or (iv) a relevant federal government department or agency;
Strong knowledge of labor and employment laws, including Title VII, FLSA, ADA, ADEA, FMLA and other employment-related statutes and regulations;
Experience reviewing, revising, and negotiating contractual agreements;
Significant experience advising on matters involving students and student life, including FERPA, the Clery Act and state law;
Excellent communication, writing and analytical skills;
Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and prioritize multiple and competing projects;
Ability to demonstrate good judgment;
Ability to work efficiently and effectively while providing a high level of customer service to internal clients;
Excellent interpersonal skills;
Ability to navigate nuanced issues with thoughtfulness, sound professional judgment, and integrity;
Strategic thinker with excellent judgment and adaptability.

Nice To Haves

Prior in-house counsel experience advising on both employment matters and matters involving students and student life.
Experience advising on Title VI and Title IX.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic legal advice to the General Counsel and senior leadership regarding emerging issues in higher education law and regulatory compliance.
Monitor and interpret developments in laws and regulations affecting the College's operations and advise accordingly, including through the provision of trainings and presentations, as needed.
Conduct legal research and draft legal documents including memoranda, briefs, opinions, reports, and correspondence.
Assist in the development of policies, procedures and rules impacting faculty, staff and students and advise College constituents regarding policy requirements.
Provide timely and effective customer service to campus officials who rely on third-party contractual agreements to advance College objectives.
Provide legal guidance and support regarding compliance with applicable policies, procedures, laws, and regulations related to College's research activities.
Review, revise, and negotiate a wide variety of contracts, including clinical placement agreements, academic affiliation agreements, employment agreements, procurement agreements, and others.
Work with clients and colleagues on a broad range of issues related to sponsored research, including advising on animal and human subjects research, intellectual property, privacy, conflict of interest, award compliance, research integrity, clinical trials, and other regulatory requirements.
Advise student affairs personnel regarding housing, religious and disability accommodations, student conduct and disciplinary proceedings, student organizations, students of concern and threat assessment, leaves of absence, grievances, admissions revocations and records requests.
Provide advice and counsel regarding a broad array of employment matters, including faculty appointments, staff and student-employee hiring, progressive discipline, separations, compensation, benefits, leaves of absence, disability and religious accommodations, grievances and reductions-in-force, professional misconduct and tenure review and revocation, working closely with the provost's office and human resources as appropriate.
Provide legal advice to Athletics regarding NCAA and Title IX compliance, risk management, and student athlete recruitment.
Counsel and advise the student affairs and HR leadership regarding discrimination, harassment, retaliation and sexual misconduct in accordance with state law.
Provide training to faculty and staff regarding a variety of matters, including institutional policies, federal and state law and regulations.
Assist in ensuring the College's compliance with federal and state laws including but not limited to the ADA, Section 504, FERPA, Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, Clery Act, and the False Claims Act, including policy development and updates, and provide support regarding internal complaints and investigations required by applicable College policy.
Prepare position statements for submission to administrative agencies, including the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the U.S. Office for Civil Rights, the U.S. Department of Labor and state agencies, including the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission.
Oversee responses to legal requests and demands, such as complaints from state and federal agencies, letters from counsel, and subpoenas and other court orders.
Serve as counsel on committees and in meetings, as needed. Act in the absence of the General Counsel.
Help supervise and manage outside counsel to ensure high-quality and cost-effective legal services.
Attend professional development conferences (e.g., NACUA) and remain current on legal issues affecting higher education.
Perform other duties as assigned by the General Counsel.