Assistant General Counsel, Office of General Counsel [R0151645]

Nevada System of Higher Education•Las Vegas, NV

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Office of General Counsel at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas seeks an Assistant General Counsel. Under the general direction and supervision of the Vice President and General Counsel or designee (“General Counsel”), the Assistant General Counsel is responsible for providing legal advice and services to senior academic and administrative officers of the University concerning UNLV’s legal rights and obligations, with a focus on litigation and threatened litigation for all units of the University, including the UNLV School of Dental Medicine and the UNLV School of Medicine. The incumbent will meet regularly with the General Counsel to ensure consistent application of federal, state, and local statutes, regulations, and ordinances, as well as Nevada System of Higher Education (“NSHE”) and University policies and procedures, and to inform the General Counsel of any new or threatened litigation or significant legal matters that arise. The scope of the role includes litigating on behalf of UNLV on matters in the courts of both the State of Nevada and the United States, and proceedings in federal and state administrative and regulatory agencies. The Assistant General Counsel will play a critical role in conducting research and providing litigation and pre-litigation services and advising University leadership on matters pertaining to compliance with state and federal laws affecting the University, all with a particular emphasis on civil rights/constitutional law, contracts, business and tort law, employment/EEO law, dispute resolution, student rights, athletics, academic and research matters, public records, subpoenas/records requests, police services, public/private partnerships, and risk management. The position is also responsible for other such legal or administrative duties as may be assigned by the General Counsel. This position has a variable work schedule, and requires occasional travel. Concurrent private practice is prohibited.

Requirements

J.D. degree with a minimum of five (5) years of experience in litigation before state and/or federal courts.
Must be admitted to practice law in Nevada on date of employment.
Limited practice certifications under Nevada Supreme Court Rule 49.1 will not be accepted.
The position requires the ability to provide expert, comprehensive legal advice directly to University administrators without the need for close supervision and to work collaboratively in a small legal office, including skills that emphasize teamwork, communication, collegiality, and flexibility.
The successful candidate must possess personal and professional integrity, excellent communication and relationship-building skills, and political acumen.

Nice To Haves

Seven (7) or more years of related experience.
Relevant experience within a higher education institution or a Nevada public agency.
Have tried cases to verdict.
Civil rights/employment law experience.
Must be available to travel occasionally and to work weekends/evenings, as required.

Responsibilities

Manage a litigation caseload (from beginning to end) and pre-litigation disputes, in various areas of law, including civil/constitutional, employment, personal injury, professional liability, and general liability cases; interact and coordinate with outside counsel, as appropriate. Prepare court pleadings, legal memoranda, and other papers for filing in litigation and administrative matters; conduct discovery, including depositions. Analyze and respond to legal demands and claims.
Provide oral and written reports and recommendations on findings and outcomes to the General Counsel or designee and/or other University administrators. When appropriate, make recommendations for action and implementation. Coordinate responses to governmental compliance inquiries, charges, and complaints; respond to audits; and coordinate and prepare responses to subpoenas, court orders, attorney requests, public records requests, and other administrative document or information requests.
Represent the University in trials and hearings in state, federal, and local courts, and before state and federal administrative and regulatory agencies.
Provide advice regarding enforcement of disciplinary standards and policies for faculty, staff, and students, including: (a) recruitment, hiring and discharge of employees; licensing and credentialing of professionals, as appropriate; and matters of appointment, reappointment and tenure; and (b) student conduct and academic integrity matters.
Draft agreements, legal opinions, correspondence, policies and other documents in compliance with federal laws, state laws, and NSHE directives and guidelines; approval of contracts, releases, and other documents as to legal form.
Identify and provide legal advice to mitigate legal risks within the University, including those related to employment and other compliance matters (i.e., FMLA, ADA, HIPAA).
Interpret state and federal laws and regulations; Board of Regents’ Handbook; NSHE Procedures & Guidelines Manual; and University, college and unit bylaws and policies, including those related to shared governance.
Stay abreast of legislation, trends, issues and best practices pertaining to assigned areas; review court decisions, proposed legislation and proposed programs/policies.
As directed by General Counsel, supervise one or more attorneys and/or support staff in the Office of General Counsel, either on an ongoing or project specific basis.