Senior Legal Counsel

About UsThe University System of Georgia (USG) is comprised of 26 higher education institutions as well as the University System Office (USO). Within the USO, administrative operations are located in the Trinity Washington Building in downtown Atlanta. ITS is located in Athens. The USG Shared Services Center is in Sandersville. The Georgia Public Library System is in Atlanta, the Georgia Archives in Morrow, and the State of Georgia Records Center in Austell.Job TitleSenior Legal CounselLocationUSO-TW Building, Atlanta; Regular full-timeJob ID286291Department InformationThese positions will be based in the USG Office of Legal Affairs at the University System Office (USO) on Capitol Hill in downtown Atlanta, with the flexibility to base at state college campuses served by the USG. Travel to serviced campuses will be involved. The USO provides shared legal services to several USG state colleges and handles issues including student matters, employment matters (faculty and staff), contracts, real estate, constitutional issues, legislation, Board governance, litigation support, regulatory compliance, and open government.Job 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 work ranges from contracts to employment matters to student issues. The positions report to an Associate Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs in the USO.ResponsibilitiesProvide shared legal services to several state colleges within USG that do not currently have on-campus legal affairs officesReview, negotiate, and draft contractsAdvise on a range of legal matters, including employment matters and student issuesIdentify and prioritize legal risk and establish a framework for legal policiesAdvise senior management on legal issues related to transactional and commercial mattersConsult with system employees on matters involving legal interpretations and policy questionsConduct research on state and federal legislation and administrative and court decisions; investigate legal problems and make recommendationsDraft, review, and approve policies and procedures, bylaws, and other documents within legal specialty areasEducate system employees on applicable laws, policies, and regulationsProvide legal counsel and support to system departments and divisionsReview and analyze proposed legislationPerform related duties as assignedRequired QualificationsJ.D. from an ABA-accredited law schoolCurrent member of the Georgia Bar, or another state's bar and able to become licensed in Georgia within one year after hireAt least five years of experience practicing lawPreferred QualificationsExperience in government and/or higher education is preferred but not requiredKnowledge, Skills, & AbilitiesAbility to work with diverse constituents including Board of Regents, Chancellor, senior staff, Presidents and administratorsKnowledge of board-level governance and relationshipsKnowledge of federal and state laws, rules, and regulations impacting higher educationKnowledge of state ethics and government transparency regulationsStrong written communication with executive and subject-matter audiences and the news mediaAbility to collaborate with multiple constituents; strong decision-making and problem-solving skillsStrong interpersonal and oral/written communication skillsAbility to conduct investigations and articulate findingsAbility to respond diplomatically to sensitive issuesAbility to multi-task effectivelyUSG Core ValuesThe USG upholds Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. More details are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and on-line at the provided policy manual links. USG also supports Freedom of Expression per Policy 6.5.Conditions of Employment & Equal OpportunityOffers are subject to federal and state laws, and to BOR bylaws and policies. USO is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action institution; it recruits and hires without regard to race, color, national origin, age, disability, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status, as required by law. For questions, contact University System Office Human Resources. Reasonable accommodations for disability are available upon request.Background checks are required, including criminal history and verification of credentials and employment history. Some positions may require additional checks (credit, MVR, etc.). #J-18808-Ljbffr

Created: 2025-09-17