General Counsel

University of St. Thomas•Houston, TX

10d•$185,000 - $250,000

About The Position

The University of St. Thomas, a Catholic liberal arts institution in Houston, Texas (UST), invites applications for the position of General Counsel. Interested candidates must submit a complete application, resume, and cover letter demonstrating their interest in the position. Cover letters should highlight the applicant's familiarity with the coveted teachings and principles of Ex Corde Ecclesiae and how the applicant would support and uphold these values as General Counsel for the University. The General Counsel will serve as the primary contact and coordinator for the University on legal and compliance matters. This may include consulting with internal subject matter experts such as Security, HR, and the Vice President of Academic Affairs, as well as outside counsel. The incumbent will also oversee compliance, policy administration, and policy management. This position reports directly to the President of the University.

Requirements

A Juris Doctorate + a minimum of 5+ years of legal experience required
Must be a member of the State Bar of Texas in good standing
MS Office proficiency required

Nice To Haves

Previous experience in higher education strongly preferred; previous experience representing a Catholic institution of higher education is a plus
Ability to independently advise on Title IX matters
Ability to leverage professional associations, professional network, technology, and similar resources to efficiently and cost-effectively stay updated on relevant legal developments and advise the university accordingly
General familiarity with non-profit and higher education law, employment law, Title IX, and Clery Act compliance
A strong understanding of religious freedom matters, especially as they relate to faith-based higher education.

Responsibilities

Serve as a legal advisor to various departments on matters related to student conduct and governance
Support Payroll on compensation matters
Support Human Resources on employee relations matters, including Title VII and Title IX matters
Support Academic Affairs in Faculty Contracts and Immigration Matters.
Review, draft, and negotiate contracts, and coordinate legal support for real and intellectual property matters as they arise (examples: trust & estates, trademarks).
Responsible for all aspects of policy administration, including drafting, circulating drafts for reviews, identifying and consulting stakeholders, tracking revisions, finalizing drafts, publishing final drafts, and tracking renewal dates. Provide guidance and counsel in responding to questions and policy interpretation on an ad hoc basis
Work with departments throughout the University as needed on compliance-related training
Provide guidance and support on Title IX, Clery Act, and other compliance matters, reporting, and government agency engagement (may serve as a Title IX coordinator, Investigator, or Decision Maker)
Provide updates and guidance on government legislation.
Manage legal documents and record retention
Manage legal services vendors (example: outside counsel) and budget
Assist with the development and administration of policies and related business processes and procedures (examples: procurement and contracting processes)