Associate General Counsel

University of Central Florida•Orlando, FL

19d•Onsite

About The Position

The University of Central Florida’s Office of the General Counsel seeks an experienced attorney to join its legal team, primarily focusing on labor and employment matters. The Associate General Counsel serves as a legal partner to university leaders and stakeholders, offering practical, strategic counsel on complex and sensitive workplace issues. The role advises on employment and labor matters, supports collective bargaining, manages employment-related litigation and administrative proceedings, and helps the University navigate changing legal and regulatory requirements. The position works across a large, complex organization and translates legal requirements into actionable guidance. The Office of the General Counsel coordinates and manages legal matters affecting UCF, provides legal services across a broad range of issues, manages the University’s legal affairs, and protects its legal interests. Its areas of work include governance, corporate matters, regulatory compliance, employment law, intellectual property, foreign influence, student conduct, academic affairs, litigation, data privacy, real estate, and construction. The position’s primary work location is UCF’s Main Campus in Orlando, Florida. On-site presence is an essential function. Applicants must be authorized to work for any U.S. employer; visa sponsorship and H-1B transfers or employment-based visa processing for individuals sponsored by another employer are unavailable. UCF expects employees to reside in Florida when employment begins unless the posting explicitly states otherwise. The regular schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with evenings and weekends as required. The appointment is regular, and the expected salary is negotiable.

Requirements

Law degree.
At least 4 years of experience as an attorney.
Must be a member of the Florida Bar or become a member within twelve months of employment.
Must be authorized to work for any U.S. employer; visa sponsorship is unavailable, and the University cannot accommodate H-1B transfers or employment-based visa processing for individuals currently sponsored by another employer.
Must work on-site at UCF’s Main Campus in Orlando, Florida; on-site presence is an essential function.

Nice To Haves

Experience providing legal counsel within, or representing, a higher education, public-sector, government, or similarly complex organization.
Five or more years of progressively more responsible experience.
Knowledge of federal and state laws and regulatory requirements affecting higher education; Florida higher education experience is preferred.
Demonstrated experience advising clients on labor and employment matters, including employee relations, discipline, termination, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, accommodations, and other workplace matters.
Experience handling employment-related litigation and administrative matters, including matters before the EEOC, FCHR, OCR, or comparable federal or state agencies.
Ability to provide practical, clear, and responsive legal counsel to leaders and stakeholders on complex or sensitive matters.
Strong legal research, analysis, writing, and communication skills, including experience drafting legal memoranda, responses, policies, agreements, and other legal documents.

Responsibilities

Provide day-to-day employment advice to University departments and direct support organizations, including central units and colleges.
Provide legal guidance to the Office of Nondiscrimination and Accommodations Compliance and/or Student Accessibility Services regarding civil rights laws covering discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and accommodations.
Train units on Human Resources-related matters.
Represent the University in administrative proceedings, including proceedings before OCR, EEOC, and FCHR.
Manage outside counsel assigned to litigation for the University and direct support organizations, and/or serve as counsel of record for the University in litigation not covered by State Risk Management, as assigned.
Provide pre-litigation support and advice to University departments, including Risk Management.
Advise bargaining teams for campus unions, including attending bargaining sessions and pre-bargaining strategy sessions and providing status communications to University leadership.
Advise on labor matters, represent the University in labor proceedings, and provide day-to-day advice to University leadership on collective bargaining agreement interpretation.
Track state and federal legislative updates and case law developments in the relevant subject-matter specialties; share updates with colleagues and draft, review, and revise University regulations and policies as needed.
Review University contracts and other commercial activities, including drafting labor- and employment-related instruments.
Serve as counsel of record on garnishment matters involving University and direct support organization employees.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Vice President and General Counsel or designee.