Deputy General Counsel
About The Position
The Deputy General Counsel serves as a high-level legal advisor and strategic partner to the institution’s leadership. Reporting to the Vice President & General Counsel, this role provides comprehensive legal support across a broad spectrum of higher education issues, with specific oversight of student affairs and civil rights compliance, as well as employment and labor relations. The Deputy General Counsel assists the Vice President & General Counsel in managing the legal affairs of the institution, mitigating risk, and ensuring that university policies align with evolving state and federal mandates. This position will work closely with the Office of Human Resources, Office of Student Life, and Academic Affairs. The successful candidate will be a person of unimpeachable integrity who possesses not only the ability to work in a fast-paced legal environment, but also has an abundance of good humor.
Requirements
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school.
- Active membership in the Ohio State Bar (or eligibility for immediate admission).
- A minimum of 7–10 years of legal practice, preferably with a focus on higher education law or public sector representation handling employment and labor relations matters.
- Strategic Judgment: The ability to provide legal advice that considers both legal risk and the institution's educational mission.
- Communication: Exceptional writing skills and the ability to explain complex legal concepts to non-legal stakeholders (Deans, Faculty, Board Members).
- Conflict Resolution: A calm, diplomatic approach to navigating high-stakes disputes and sensitive investigations.
Nice To Haves
- Advanced knowledge and experience interpreting and applying civil rights, equal employment opportunity, Title IX, and Title VI laws and regulations, and First Amendment jurisprudence
- Legal experience with college/university issues
- Experience in assisting clients in policy formulation
- Ability to manage litigation and multiple, ongoing, and complex matters
- Prior litigation experience
Responsibilities
- Legal Advisory & Strategy: Provide high-level legal advice to senior management, deans, and academic units on complex matters affecting the university.
- Contract Negotiation & Risk Management: Draft, review, and negotiate high-value contracts (e.g., union negotiations, research partnerships, technology licensing, real estate leases, and vendor agreements).
- University Representation: Represents the university in negotiations, mediations, and proceedings as necessary, including proceedings before various local, state, and federal agencies and courts. Communicates and interfaces with attorneys representing potential litigants and complainants having disputes with the University.
- Compliance & Policy Development: Oversee institutional compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, including employment law, athletic regulations, research integrity, and student affairs.
- Litigation & Outside Counsel Management: Direct litigation, administrative hearings, and dispute resolution; manage outside counsel billing and strategies.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Executive
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
Number of Employees
1-10 employees
