Associate or Senior Counsel

The State University of New York, or SUNY, is the largest comprehensive system of public higher education in the United States, with 64 colleges and universities spanning the state from Long Island to the Adirondacks to Buffalo. SUNY System Administration employees, based in Albany and New York City, provide critical support for SUNY campuses, employees, and students to advance SUNY's mission of providing high-quality, affordable higher education for all.

Across a wide range of roles, from finance and legal counsel to student support, academic affairs, IT, admissions, and more, our employees work toward advancing the four priority pillars established by SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. and the SUNY Board of Trustees: student success; research and scholarship; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and economic development and upward mobility.  SUNY System Administration is a mission-driven workplace with robust New York State benefits including health insurance, retirement, time off, and paid family leave.

About the Office of General Counsel:

The Office of General Counsel (OGC) provides legal services and support to the Board of Trustees, the Chancellor and senior officers for the State University of New York (SUNY) at SUNY System Administration at Albany, New York, and the presidents and administrators of the campuses within the System. Under the leadership of the Senior Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs and the General Counsel, the SUNY Office of General Counsel is responsible for providing legal services to the System and the 29 State-operated campuses.  The OGC consists of more than 70 experienced higher education attorneys, paralegals and support staff located in Albany at the System Administration headquarters and in campus-based offices at the four University Centers, Health Science Centers, and various SUNY colleges. 

The legal practice of the OGC involves a substantial array of topics, including public procurement, governance and ethics, legislation, health care, capital construction, public finance, labor grievances and arbitration, litigation oversight (the State's Attorney General defends litigation brought against the University), student affairs, and the use of real property, among others.  The OGC represents the State University in interactions with State officials who may regulate the affairs of the State University, including the Attorney General, State Comptroller, the Governor and staff, and members of the State Legislature and staff as well as other state and local agencies and entities. 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

The State University of New York System Administration, located in Albany, New York invites applications for the position of Associate or Senior Counsel.  As a staff member of the Office of the General Counsel, the Associate or Senior Counsel will assume responsibilities for an extensive range of legal matters on behalf of the State University and its State-operated campuses.  Responsibilities will include contract negotiation and review; statutory and regulatory interpretation; drafting legal guidance; answering legal inquiries from SUNY System and campus clients; work on University-wide matters; and other duties as assigned.

The Associate or Senior Counsel will also be responsible for providing legal advice and serving as the OGC primary relationship manager for various state-operated campuses; providing highly competent professional and timely legal services to SUNY System Administration clients and campuses through effective legal advice, advocacy, and preparation and review of campus documents/policies; and keeping SUNY clients informed of the status and significant developments in SUNY System Administration and campus lawsuits, claims, and legal developments in areas affecting SUNY and campus operations.

The Associate or Senior Counsel will be a member of the General Affairs & Intellectual Property Practice Group and will work with OGC's practice groups, each of which are responsible for providing legal support to the OGC attorneys, SUNY System Administration, and campus leadership in a variety of legal areas affecting institutions of higher education, including but not limited to:

• Contracts
• Title VI, Title IX and Student Affairs
• Litigation, Labor and Employment
• Health Affairs
• Intellectual Property and Trademarks
• Immigration
• First Amendment

Required Qualifications:

• J.D. degree from an accredited ABA law school.  
• Admission to the New York State Bar in good standing (or eligibility for admission within six months) and a strong academic background. 
• This position requires 5+ years of legal practice or relevant experience prior to beginning the position.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Significant experience advising clients on complex legal issues, especially with governmental entities.
• Legal experience in an academic setting or government law office.
• Ability to function effectively in a fast-paced environment with multiple and changing priorities and objectives. 
• Superior written and oral communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical and legal research skills.

• Salary is dependent on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, experience, education, training, and certifications. 
• The range for an Associate Counsel position is $115,000 - $140,000.
• The range as an Senior Counsel position is $122,000 - $147,000.
• The posted salary range reflects the minimum and maximum target for this position. Individual starting salaries are determined based on a variety of factors, including relevant experience, skills, qualifications, and internal equity. While the full range is provided for transparency, starting salaries generally fall near the entry to midpoint of the range. Salaries at or near the top of the range are rare and reserved for candidates who exceptionally exceed all posted requirements.
• Excellent Benefit Package which includes: NYS health insurance, free dental and vision coverage, competitive retirement options, tuition assistance, parental leave at full pay, and generous vacation, sick, and holiday time. 13 days of paid holidays per year; 21 days of vacation and 21 days of sick time accrued each year.  Please see our Management/Confidential benefits summary for additional information.
• Management/Confidential appointments work under the leadership and discretion of the appointing authority and are not represented by a union.
• This position is located in Albany, NY.  Limited telecommuting may be available. Some travel may be required depending on the needs of clients.
• Offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment background check and verification of degree(s) and credentials.
• Applicants with a valid driver's license are preferred.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. VISA sponsorship is not available for this position. 

SUNY System Administration Benefits

SUNY System Administration provides an outstanding and comprehensive benefits package to support you and your family through the many life changes you may experience while you work for SUNY.  Our nationally recognized benefits include:

• Retirement: The choice between a fully funded pension plan and a self-driven defined contribution plan, along with two supplemental plans to increase your ability to save for retirement.
• Health Insurance: Several health insurance options at an affordable cost that provide full coverage without mandatory deductibles.
• Time Off: Paid time off with separate vacation and sick leave accruals up to 21 days a year for each category.
• Additional paid leave policy options for childbirth, adoption, elder care, and other family care situations.

Explore our full benefits offerings here: www.suny.edu/benefits

Interested candidates are invited to apply online. Please submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references when applying. The review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

State University of New York System Administration is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, criminal conviction, or retaliation.