Assistant General Counsel

University of North Texas System•Denton, TX

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The University of North Texas System Office of General Counsel seeks an Assistant General Counsel to provide legal advice and services to UNT System and its component institutions. The Office includes ten attorneys and seven professional staff located at institutional campuses and the UNT System building in downtown Dallas. The primary office is on the UNT campus in Denton, Texas. The position requires as-needed travel to UNT System locations and may include limited hybrid work opportunities. The position manages the public information process, with an estimated 30%–35% of workload supporting the public information office and providing legal services related to the release of public information and responses to records requests. It is also a generalist role covering academic and student affairs, administrative law, risk management and insurance, policy review and legislative analysis, litigation support, ethics and conflicts of interest, employment law, information management, regulatory compliance, and other higher education matters. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with clients and colleagues, provide proactive legal counsel, and support client outreach and professional development. The role requires excellent communication and legal research skills, sound judgment, discretion, and the ability to manage multiple assignments and explain complex legal issues clearly to non-lawyers.

Requirements

At least two years of active legal practice.
Juris Doctor degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
Licensed and admitted to practice law in Texas, or eligible to obtain a Texas license within one year of employment; must be in good standing or qualified to be in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Ability to research complex legal issues and prepare legal opinions and documents.
Ability to work collegially and advise managerial-level clients ethically, professionally, and respectfully.
Ability to identify and frame complex legal issues and convey advice clearly to non-lawyers.
Ability and willingness to engage in creative thinking and problem solving.
Ability to communicate effectively with the General Counsel, senior attorneys, office colleagues, external attorneys, and governmental agencies about significant matters.
Ability to establish cooperative working relationships with Office of General Counsel members and constituents across the UNT System and its component institutions.
Excellent time management and prioritization skills.
Ability to work independently on multiple general assignments and handle complex assignments with moderate supervision.
Self-motivation, intellectual curiosity, and willingness to learn new areas of law.
Discretion and ability to gain trust and maintain confidences.

Nice To Haves

At least four years of relevant legal practice in a higher education setting, with higher education clients, or in a government position such as an office of the Attorney General.
Active license to practice law and good standing with the State Bar of Texas.

Responsibilities

Manage the public information process.
Draft and file briefs requesting public records rulings.
Provide legal advice and recommend courses of action to resolve legal, procedural, or administrative issues in compliance with applicable legal standards.
Conduct legal research and provide analysis, written and oral advice, and training to support client outreach and keep institutions current on laws and regulations affecting assigned areas.
Review policies, rules, regulations, and internal investigations for legal sufficiency.
Provide direct client contact and support to administrators and staff within the UNT System and its component institutions.
Support litigation deadlines with other attorneys and assist the Office of the Attorney General with discovery requests.
Advise UNT System managerial-level officials on legal issues involving employment, equal opportunity, student affairs, risk management and insurance, regulatory compliance, and higher education matters.
Draft responses to investigations by federal and state regulatory agencies.
Attend student disciplinary hearings as the campus's legal representative.
Research and author written legal educational materials for client outreach and engagement.