University Counsel

Adelphi University•Village of Garden City, NY

7d•$175,000 - $225,000

About The Position

The University Counsel is responsible for overseeing and managing all legal affairs and providing strategic legal counsel to the Board of Trustees, the President, the senior administration, and the university community. This role ensures that the institution's operations, policies, and decisions are in compliance with all local, state (especially New York), and federal laws and regulations, in support of the university's mission of teaching, research, and service.

Requirements

Thorough knowledge of the legal and regulatory landscape impacting universities in New York and the United States (e.g., Title IX, ADA, FERPA, state labor laws).
Strong strategic thinking skills with the ability to translate legal analysis into practical institutional recommendations.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a track record of working with diverse stakeholders across large, complex organizations.
Proven leadership in managing a legal team, prioritizing work, and overseeing outside counsel when necessary.
Sound judgment, ethical integrity, professionalism, and confidence advising senior leadership on high-stakes matters.
Ability to handle multiple priorities and balance ongoing operational needs with strategic challenges.
Juris Doctorate from an ABA-accredited law school is required.
Admission to the New York State Bar or eligibility to be admitted upon hire is required.
Five to ten years of progressively responsible legal experience is required.

Nice To Haves

Experience in higher education is strongly preferred.
Demonstrated success in a senior legal leadership role, such as General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, or equivalent experience managing legal matters for large, regulated entities.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary legal advisor to the President, Board of Trustees, and senior leadership.
Provide timely, practical guidance on a wide range of legal and policy matters affecting higher education, including labor and employment, collective bargaining, student affairs, research, data privacy, real estate and facilities, intellectual property and technology, governance, and nonprofit and tax law, and risk related matters.
Lead comprehensive regulatory compliance and manage enterprise risk management efforts across the University.
Ensure adherence to federal, state, and local requirements, including Title IX, Clery, FERPA, ADA/Section 504, New York labor laws, and other higher education regulations.
Develop and deliver training for institutional stakeholders on legal and compliance issues.
Provide executive and legal oversight of the Title IX Office, ensuring alignment with applicable federal and New York State laws and regulations and institutional policies.
Provide administrative supervision of the Title IX Office, including oversight of staffing structure, recruitment and hiring processes, performance management, and professional development of Title IX personnel.
Advise on collective bargaining strategy, contract interpretation, and labor-management relations in compliance with New York labor laws.
Provide legal guidance on grievances, arbitrations, and labor disputes involving unionized employees.
Oversee and advise on internal HR investigations and grievance matters involving employee misconduct, discrimination, or policy violations.
Assess legal risk and support resolution and disciplinary decisions in complex or high-exposure cases.
Provide legal guidance on accreditation filings, regulatory submissions, and related compliance obligations.
Support crisis prevention and response strategies.
Advise on corporate governance matters for the university and its affiliates, including board resolutions and governance documents, and participate in Board and committee meetings as needed.
Provide advice and oversight, where necessary, to the Contract Management Team in review, drafting and negotiation of contracts and transactional documents for the University.
When needed, draft, review and negotiate construction contracts, vendor agreements, lease and space use agreements in support of campus operations and expansion, and facilities-related documents.
Ensure agreements align with legal standards and institutional priorities.
Manage all litigation, administrative proceedings, and internal disputes.
Select, direct, and evaluate outside counsel and oversee the university’s legal strategy in courts and regulatory forums.
Oversee management of University Policy Library. Review, draft, and interpret university-wide policies, procedures, and bylaws. Ensure policies reflect current law, promote consistency, and support institutional goals.
Lead the Office of General Counsel. Oversee staffing, workload, professional development, performance evaluation, and departmental budgeting.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.