Assistant General Counsel

Colby College•Colby, KS

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant General Counsel provides legal advice, guidance, and support to Colby College across legal, regulatory, compliance, and risk management matters. As part of the Office of the General Counsel, this role serves as a responsive resource to the College community and works collaboratively with leadership, faculty, staff, and other constituents to address legal issues, manage institutional risk, and support the College’s mission and operations. The Assistant General Counsel reports to the Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary of the College. The position advises on complex legal matters, supports institutional policy development, assists with litigation and regulatory compliance, and contributes to the management of the College’s legal affairs. It calls for sound professional judgment, legal expertise, flexibility, responsiveness, and an appreciation for the mission of higher education and the role of a residential liberal arts college. The Assistant General Counsel provides counsel on institutional legal and regulatory matters; supports compliance, policy, and enterprise risk management efforts; helps coordinate outside counsel; and contributes to the effectiveness of the Office of the General Counsel. The role also supports Board of Trustees committees, serves on campus committees and institutional initiatives, and assists with administration of the Office’s clerkship program. The position is primarily campus-based, with limited remote work possible subject to discussion and approval.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
Three to five years of relevant legal experience.
Licensed to practice law in Maine or committed to obtaining Maine licensure within two years of hire.
Deep commitment to higher education and desire to support the mission, students, and community of a residential liberal arts college.
Demonstrated professional achievement, sound legal judgment, and commitment to ethics, integrity, confidentiality, and professionalism.
Strong legal research, analytical, advocacy, writing, editing, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to evaluate complex legal matters and develop practical recommendations.
Excellent interpersonal, verbal, written, and presentation skills, including the ability to explain complex legal concepts to people without legal training.
Ability to develop collaborative, trusted relationships with College constituents while providing responsive and professional legal guidance.
Strong organizational, time-management, and prioritization skills, including the ability to manage multiple matters, competing deadlines, and changing institutional needs.
Ability to exercise independent judgment and initiative, and to work collaboratively within a legal team and the broader institution.
Ability to remain composed, responsive, and effective when addressing sensitive, urgent, or complex legal matters, including rapid analysis and decision-making under significant time constraints.
Willingness and ability to develop expertise in new and evolving areas of law through professional development, mentoring, and collaboration with the General Counsel.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, document management systems, and related legal technologies, including artificial intelligence tools.
Ability and willingness to work some evenings, weekends, or varying schedules as institutional and legal needs require.

Nice To Haves

Relevant legal experience in higher education, business or commercial law, or a comparable legal environment.
Experience with NetDocuments, Gemini, NotebookLM, Excel, and Adobe Acrobat.

Responsibilities

Provide legal advice and responsive support to College leadership, academic and administrative departments, and campus constituents on institutional legal and regulatory matters.
Work with the General Counsel to research, analyze, and develop practical legal strategies and recommendations.
Advise on and manage legal and regulatory compliance, including employment and labor law, discrimination and civil rights law, higher education regulations, Titles IV, VI, VII, and IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504, and other applicable laws and regulations.
Collaborate with the General Counsel and College departments in responding to litigation, administrative agency inquiries and reviews, government directives, and other legal proceedings.
Review, analyze, and advise on contracts, agreements, and other legal documents as assigned.
Conduct legal research and analysis and develop expertise in emerging legal developments affecting higher education.
Support College leaders and departments in developing, reviewing, and updating institutional policies, procedures, and practices in response to legal requirements.
Partner with the Assistant Vice President of Risk Management on legal compliance and enterprise risk management activities and initiatives.
Develop and deliver training, guidance, and educational resources for faculty, staff, and administrators on legal, regulatory, and compliance matters.
Assist the General Counsel in coordinating and overseeing outside legal counsel, including monitoring service quality, timeliness, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.
Support development and implementation of processes, procedures, and tools that strengthen the Office of the General Counsel and the College’s legal and compliance functions.
Represent the Office of the General Counsel with professionalism, integrity, discretion, and a commitment to responsive, practical, high-quality service.
Develop and maintain trusted relationships with College leadership, faculty, staff, students, and external constituents.
Provide legal and administrative support to Board of Trustees committees, including the Enterprise Risk-Audit Committee, as assigned.
Serve on campus committees and participate in institutional initiatives as assigned by the General Counsel.
Assist with oversight and administration of the Office of the General Counsel clerkship program.
Participate in professional development, continuing legal education, and other opportunities to maintain and expand legal expertise.