Legal Advisor

East Central College•Greendale, WI

5d•$85,000

About The Position

The Legal Advisor reports to the Executive Vice President of Legal Affairs and serves as a key member of the College’s Senior Executive Staff. Providing expert legal counsel to ensure the College operates within applicable laws, regulations, and policies. This role supports informed decision-making by senior leadership, interprets and applies legal principles to institutional practices, and helps manage legal risk in academic, administrative, and employment contexts. The Legal Advisor works collaboratively across departments and with external partners to uphold legal and ethical standards that advance the College’s mission and strategic priorities.

Requirements

Comprehensive knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and regulations affecting public higher education institutions, including labor, employment, contract, and administrative law.
Strong legal research, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills to interact effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion and integrity.
Capacity to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and provide sound legal judgment in a fast-paced environment.
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Law, Political Science, or a related field.
Completion of a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible legal experience, preferably in higher education, public administration, or employment/labor law.

Nice To Haves

Admission to practice law and current good standing with the New York State Bar.

Responsibilities

Advise the President, Executive Vice Presidents, and senior administrators on legal matters affecting the College, including compliance, contracts, governance, employment, academic policy, and student issues.
Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, memorandum of understanding, leases, and other legal instruments to protect the College’s interests and ensure compliance with SUNY, state, and federal regulations.
Conduct legal research and prepare written analyses, opinions, and recommendations on complex legal and regulatory issues.
Provide legal support for collective bargaining and labor relations, including contract interpretation, grievance review, and representation in negotiations or mediations.
Assist in the interpretation and application of SUNY Board of Trustees policies, New York State Education Law, and other relevant statutes and regulations.
Review and advise on College policies, handbooks, and procedures to ensure alignment with legal requirements and best practices in higher education.
Coordinate with external counsel, state agencies, and SUNY legal representatives on pending legal matters and institutional compliance issues.
Support the College in responding to subpoenas, Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests, and other legal inquiries or investigations.
Participate in risk management initiatives, identifying potential areas of exposure and recommending proactive solutions to mitigate institutional risk.
Develop and deliver training for College leadership, supervisors, and staff on compliance topics such as Title IX, ADA, employment law, records retention, and ethical conduct.
Maintain confidential records, prepare reports, and ensure documentation complies with institutional and statutory requirements.
Perform other duties as assigned in support of institutional goals and priorities.

Benefits

Excellent health and benefits packages are comparable to offerings through similar county and New York State positions.
Employees can take advantage of the College’s expansive Health & Wellness initiatives
Tuition-free college courses are available for both employees and their families.

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