Deputy General Counsel

Cornell University•Ithaca, NY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Deputy General Counsel for Cornell University’s Ithaca campus reports directly to the Vice President and General Counsel (GC). The role provides legal representation and counsel to the university and, in consultation and partnership with the GC, manages the legal affairs of the Ithaca campus. The Deputy General Counsel serves on a triad leadership team with the GC and the Associate Vice President & Deputy General Counsel for Weill Cornell Medicine, supporting the overall management, oversight, and supervision of the Office of General Counsel (OGC). The position is a senior advisor to the GC and acts on the GC’s behalf for the Ithaca, Geneva, and Cornell Tech campuses as directed and when the GC is absent. In consultation and partnership with the GC, the Deputy General Counsel serves as the primary legal advisor to the Provost, oversees and manages legal services for the Ithaca, Geneva, and Cornell Tech campuses, and oversees the Ithaca legal office, including functional day-to-day supervision of its campus-based legal professional staff. The OGC provides legal services and advice across a broad range of areas, including litigation, business transactions, regulatory compliance, government grants and contracts, labor and employment, faculty and student matters, privacy, intellectual property, technology transfer, information technology and security, safety and environmental law, health law, real estate, international matters, and nonprofit and tax issues. The position is based in Cornell’s Ithaca, New York office. Attorneys are required to work in person in the office for most of the work week. Applications are limited to current OGC employees. Applicants should include a CV and cover letter. Visa sponsorship is not available.

Requirements

J.D. and more than 15 years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Membership in the New York State Bar or eligibility to obtain prompt reciprocal admission.
Excellent academic credentials and legal experience.
Strong ethical standards and professional integrity.
Well-honed legal research, writing, and oral communication skills.
Experience representing private-sector employers in private practice, in-house, or both.
Ability to collaborate with colleagues and university professionals across a variety of disciplines.
Ability to work successfully as a team member in an office handling a high volume and varied portfolio of legal matters.
Intellectual curiosity, flexibility, concern for others, and interest in learning additional relevant areas of law.
Outstanding writing and oral advocacy experience.
Proficiency with office computer technologies.
Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Responsibilities

Provide legal representation and counsel to Cornell University.
Manage the legal affairs of the Ithaca campus in consultation and partnership with the Vice President and General Counsel.
Serve on the OGC triad leadership team and contribute to the overall management, oversight, and supervision of the office.
Act as a senior advisor to the General Counsel and, as directed or during the General Counsel’s absence, act on the General Counsel’s behalf for the Ithaca, Geneva, and Cornell Tech campuses.
Serve as the primary legal advisor to the Provost in consultation and partnership with the General Counsel.
Oversee and manage the provision of legal services for the Ithaca, Geneva, and Cornell Tech campuses.
Oversee the Ithaca legal office, including functional day-to-day supervision of campus-based legal professional staff.

Benefits

Comprehensive health care options
Generous retirement contributions
Access to wellness programs
Employee discounts with local and national retail brands
Health and personal leave
Three weeks of vacation
13 holidays, including an end-of-year winter break from December 25 through January 1
Two additional floating holidays
Tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program
Tuition aid for external education
Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program