Senior Legal Counsel

Job Title: Senior Legal CounselLocation: USO-TW Building ATLRegular/Temporary: RegularFull/Part Time: Full-TimeJob ID: 286435About UsAbout UsThe University System of Georgia (USG) is comprised of 26 higher education institutions as well as the University System Office (USO). Within the USO, our administrative operations are primarily housed in the Trinity Washington Building located in downtown Atlanta. Our Information Technology Services (ITS) division is located in Athens. The University System of Georgia Shared Services Center (SSC) is located in Sandersville. The Georgia Public Library System is located in Atlanta. The Georgia Archives is located in Morrow. The State of Georgia Records Center is located in Austell.Department InformationDepartment InformationThese positions will have space in the USG's Office of Legal Affairs at the University System Office (USO) on Capitol Hill in downtown Atlanta but will also have flexibility to have another base at the state college campuses for which the position will provide services.Travel to the serviced campuses will be involved. The USO supports the USG's 26 public colleges and universities. Common legal issues handled by USG's Office of Legal Affairs include student matters, employment matters (including faculty and staff), contracts, real estate transactions, constitutional issues, legislation, Board governance, litigation support, regulatory compliance, and open government. The Senior Legal Counsel positions will work as part of a collaborative team of attorneys and support staff at the USO while providing shared legal services to several of USG's state colleges.Job SummaryJob SummaryThe University System of Georgia (USG) is accepting applications for two Senior Legal Counsels. These positions will provide shared legal services to several state colleges within USG that do not currently have on-campus legal affairs offices.The legal services will range from such areas as contracts to employment matters to student issues.The positions will report to an Associate Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs in the USO.ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities+Provides shared legal services to several state colleges within USG that do not currently have on-campus legal affairs offices+Reviews, negotiates, and drafts contracts+Advises on a range of legal matters such as those related to employment matters and student issues+Identifies and prioritizes the response to various areas of legal risk and establishes a clearly understood framework for legal policies+Advises senior management on legal issues related to transactional and commercial matters.+Confers with system employees on matter involving legal interpretations anddecisions related to institutional activities, policy questions and operating problems+Conducts research on state and federal legislation and administrative and court decisions; investigates legal problems and makes recommendations+Drafts, reviews and approves policies and procedures, bylaws, and other documents within legal specialty areas.+Educates system employees on relevant state and federal laws, policies, procedures, and regulations+Provides legal counsel and support to system departments and divisions+Reviews and analyzes proposed legislation+Performs related duties as assignedRequired Qualifications Required QualificationsJ.D. from an ABA-accredited law schoolCurrent member of the Georgia Bar, or another state's bar and able to become licensed in the State of Georgia within one year after date of hireAt least five years of experience practicing lawPreferred QualificationsPreferred QualificationsExperience in government and/or higher education is preferred but not required.Knowledge, Skills, & AbilitiesKnowledge, Skills, & AbilitiesAbility to work with many varying constituents, including but not limited to the Board of Regents, the Chancellor, the Chancellor's senior staff, Presidents of institutions within the University System of Georgia and their administratorsKnowledge of board-level governance, functions, and relationships and historyKnowledge of federal and state laws, rules and regulations impacting higher educationKnowledge of state ethics and government transparency regulationsSkill in written communication with executive and subject matter expert audiences and the news mediaSkill in collaborating with multiple constituentsSkill in decision-making and problem-solvingSkill in interpersonal relations and in dealing with the publicSkills in oral and written communicationAbility to conduct investigations and articulate findings and results of investigationsAbility to respond diplomatically to sensitive and critical issuesAbility to effectively multi-taskUSG Core ValuesUSG Core ValuesThe University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at of EmploymentConditions of EmploymentOffers of employment are subject to federal and state laws, as well as the statutes, rules, and regulations of this institution, and the Bylaws and Policies of the Board of Regents (BOR) of the University System of Georgia (USG). These Bylaws and Policies are available for inspection upon request.Equal Employment OpportunityEqual Employment OpportunityThe University System Office is an equal employment, equal access, and equal educational opportunity, and affirmative action institution. It is the policy of the University System Office to recruit, hire, train, promote and educate persons without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status as required by applicable state and federal laws (including Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, Sections 503, and 504, ADEA, ADA, E.O. 11246, and Rev. Proc. 75-50).For questions or more detailed information regarding this policy please contact the University System Office Human Resources at 404.962.3242. Individuals requiring disability related accommodations for participation in any event or to obtain print materials in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources.Background CheckOffers of employment are subject to a background investigation, including criminal records history, to determine eligibility for employment. Additionally, credentials and employment history stated in your application materials are also subject to verification.For certain positions, a satisfactory credit check, MVR, or other relevant investigations may also be conducted. The University System Office holds the sole discretion in assessing eligibility for employment. #J-18808-Ljbffr

Created: 2025-09-17