What are the responsibilities and job description for the Legal Counsel position at University Systems of Georgia?
About Us The 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 Information This position will reside in the USG's Office of Legal Affairs at the University System Office (USO) on Capitol Hill in downtown Atlanta. 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 legal counsel position will work as part of a collaborative team of attorneys and support staff to provide legal advice to administrators at the USO and at the USG's colleges and universities.Job Summary The University System of Georgia (USG) is accepting applications for a Legal Counsel position. This position will focus on transactional work such as reviewing, negotiating, and drafting contracts related to vendor purchases, procurement, and real estate and facilities and will directly report to an Assistant Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs whose work is also transactional in nature. Approximately two to six years of experience practicing law with a focus on contracts, public procurement, real estate and facilities, or education law is preferred but not required.Responsibilities Handles transactional legal work for the University System Office in coordination with an Assistant Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs.Reviews, negotiates, and drafts contracts including but not limited to those related to vendor purchases, procurement, and real estate and facilities.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 matters involving legal interpretations and decisions 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 assigned.Required Qualifications J.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 the date of hirePreferred Qualifications 3 - 7 years of experience actively practicing lawKnowledge, Skills, & Abilities Ability 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-task#J-18808-Ljbffr
