Associate Counsel or Assistant Counsel

The Office of General Counsel in the University’s Office of the President seeks a mission-focused, innovative attorney to serve a growing, dynamic institution. The successful candidate has relevant experience in higher education law, specifically transactional experience, and is motivated by serving an institution that helps students change their lives. 

The successful candidate will believe deeply in the transformative promise of education for members of the community, especially for the primarily adult and non-traditional student body served by Excelsior. They will be diligent and zealous in advocating for the University to empower clients and colleagues to meet that mission. At the same time, the successful candidate is deeply collegial, speaking and acting respectfully to colleagues and partners at every level. They are collaborative and like listening and learning. They are thorough and come to meetings and negotiations prepared but are flexible to try to find a solution where all parties can meet their goals. The successful candidate leads with humor and is an active participant in the life of the University (which includes many opportunities for food and fun). 

This position will take a leading role in negotiating and reviewing hundreds of standard and several complex transactions each year, while looking for efficiencies and teachable moments for clients. Ultimately, the goal is to make the contracting process continually more efficient so that clients can spend more time on their primary roles and less time involved in the contract process for their needs. The position may include supervision of outside counsel on specific projects. In addition to transactional work as a primary focus, the position will include generalist work representing a robust and growing University, which can include employment, student affairs, policy and compliance, academic matters, real estate, and intellectual property, among others.

This position is based in the Albany, New York area (in certain cases, a candidate from outside Albany may be appropriate but they will have to be able to travel to Albany weekly). The Office of General Counsel operates on a hybrid schedule with Tuesday, Wednesday (and very occasionally Thursday) in the office (7 Columbia Circle, Albany, NY) in Albany and other days remote. The University provides equipment as well as a cell phone stipend. The successful candidate is a self-starter, able to work independently and manage a calendar and workload, generally using hybrid days for deep work, but is a team player and engaged colleague active in meetings in the middle of the week. The candidate will serve as a trusted advisor to the General Counsel and will be called upon for their insights and opinions on varied issues. The successful candidate will be encouraged to research, write, and speak, where appropriate, on issues of interest to them that can be helpful to the higher education legal community as well as the University and its peers. Occasional travel to client meetings and relevant conferences. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following: 

The Associate/Assistant Counsel will be responsible for: 

• Reviewing, drafting, researching, and negotiating University contracts.
• Identifying legal risks related to University contracts, and coordinating with the Office of Risk Management on mitigation strategies.
• Performing legal research in support of University initiatives in subject areas such as higher education law, intellectual property law, and labor and employment law.
• Providing legal advice and counsel to University staff and leadership. Identifying legal/compliance issues affecting the University and developing appropriate solutions.
• Drafting and revising University policies.
• Representing the Office of General Counsel on relevant University-wide Councils.
• Assisting the General Counsel with preparation for quarterly Board of Trustees’ meetings (legal research, by-laws interpretation, etc.).
• Working with outside counsel on transactions, litigation and other matters.
• Providing staff training on legal issues.
• Keeping current regarding legislative and regulatory issues of importance to the University.
• Monitoring the University’s complaint reporting and case management system.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Qualifications:  To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. 

• Excellent legal research and analytical skills
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• Professional and pleasant interaction with internal and external constituencies, including under stressful conditions
• Well-developed problem-solving, judgment and critical-thinking skills.
• The ability to work independently and play different roles on a team
• Tact when dealing appropriately with confidential situations and information
• Excellent prioritization and organizational skills
• High degree of accuracy and attention to detail
• Ability to meet deadlines and multitask in a busy office
• Willing and able to work flexible hours
• Passion for the promise of higher education and the role it can play in improving lives of our students and members of our community

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS 

•  Must be an attorney admitted to the New York State Bar (or able to be admitted within nine months of appointment), with a minimum of one year of experience in legal practice (which may include a higher education legal fellowship) for Assistant Counsel and four years of experience in legal practice for Associate Counsel

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE 

•  Juris Doctor degree from an American Bar Association accredited law school. Strong academic background. Journal and/or moot court/mock trial membership a plus.
• Professional experience in higher education policy and/or contract law preferred; labor and employment, student affairs, compliance, intellectual property, and real estate experience a plus.

The University notes that some people will read the position description and not apply because they do not meet one or several of the criteria. No one meets every single criterion of a position description, and we strongly encourage you to apply.

The hiring salary range for this position is $95,000.00 - $120,000.00. The hiring salary range above represents the University's good faith estimate at the time of posting

Salary

• $95,000 - $120,000