Legal Specialist

UNC-Chapel Hill • Chapel Hill, NC

4d

About The Position

The Legal Specialist will manage a wide variety of transactional legal projects including (a) drafting and negotiating contracts and other documents, including template-based contracts, such as non-disclosure agreements, speaker engagement agreements, facilities use agreements, liability waivers and releases, sponsored research agreements, clinical and non-clinical affiliation agreements, leases, and agreements for the purchase of goods and services; (b) coordinating with various offices on campus, including units within the Division of Finance and Operations, the Office of Sponsored Programs, and Procurement Services with regard to transactional matters; © leading and/or providing support to OUC transactional attorneys on complex negotiations and transactions; and (d) assisting with compliance matters related to the University’s associated entities. Among the duties to be assigned to the Legal Specialist will be: drafting contracts and other documents; negotiating terms of contracts with outside entities; coordinating effectively the contracts review and routing process with faculty, departmental administrators, and other University administrative offices; researching contractual issues with or without attorney guidance; acquiring and maintaining knowledge of relevant laws and regulations and University policies and guidelines; client interviews; and creating and maintaining quality, accessible information databases and systems for management of high-volume projects. Fulfilling the duties of this position requires strong analytical and problem-solving abilities; excellent research and writing skills; good judgment, level-headedness, and discretion; initiative, intellectual curiosity, and tenacity; an aptitude for building positive working relationships at all levels; the ability to juggle shifting priorities and multiple projects; attention to detail; excellent follow-through; self-motivation; excellent oral and written communication skills; the ability to work independently; and the desire to be fully engaged in the work and to approach it with energy and passion.

Requirements

• A Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school is required.
• Demonstrated ability to draft, review, negotiate, and interpret contracts and other legal documents with a high degree of accuracy and sound judgment.
• Strong knowledge of legal research methods and the ability to analyze statutes, regulations, policies, and contract terms and apply them to routine and moderately complex matters.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to advise clients clearly and professionally and to communicate effectively with internal stakeholders and external counterparties.
• Ability to manage a high volume of matters independently, prioritize competing deadlines, and maintain strong attention to detail and follow-through.
• Demonstrated professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment in handling sensitive or confidential matters.
• Strong client-service orientation and the ability to build productive working relationships across a large, decentralized organization.

Nice To Haves

• Licensed to practice law in North Carolina, or eligible to become licensed in North Carolina within a reasonable period after hire.
• Experience handling transactional matters in a law firm, in-house legal department, university, or other public-sector setting.
• Experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a broad range of commercial, academic, research, or service agreements.
• Experience reviewing software agreements, or agreements related to information technology or the exchange of data.
• Familiarity with public contracting, higher education legal issues, or the laws and regulations applicable to public universities is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Drafting and negotiating contracts and other documents, including template-based contracts, such as non-disclosure agreements, speaker engagement agreements, facilities use agreements, liability waivers and releases, sponsored research agreements, clinical and non-clinical affiliation agreements, leases, and agreements for the purchase of goods and services
• Coordinating with various offices on campus, including units within the Division of Finance and Operations, the Office of Sponsored Programs, and Procurement Services with regard to transactional matters
• Leading and/or providing support to OUC transactional attorneys on complex negotiations and transactions
• Assisting with compliance matters related to the University’s associated entities
• Drafting contracts and other documents
• Negotiating terms of contracts with outside entities
• Coordinating effectively the contracts review and routing process with faculty, departmental administrators, and other University administrative offices
• Researching contractual issues with or without attorney guidance
• Acquiring and maintaining knowledge of relevant laws and regulations and University policies and guidelines
• Client interviews
• Creating and maintaining quality, accessible information databases and systems for management of high-volume projects

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree