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Senior Vice President and General Counsel

The University of Rochester seeks an experienced legal leader to serve as Senior Vice President and General Counsel. Reporting directly to the President, this position serves as chief legal officer, contributing to the resolution of many of the most important issues affecting the University.

Key responsibilities
Provide leadership on all legal and risk management matters
  • Manage and oversee the Office of Counsel;
  • Build, lead, and mentor an effective, efficient, and motivated legal team of attorneys and other legal professionals;
  • Assign and manage caseloads and projects within the legal office; oversee services and outcomes to ensure timely and competent delivery of legal services across the University; and
  • Foster a collaborative and supportive working environment within the office and with university clients.
Provide legal advice to ensure compliance and protect university interests
  • Research laws, court opinions, government regulations, and legal requirements;
  • Draft or review contracts, leases, licenses, deeds, and other legal documents or instruments and/or negotiate amendments thereto to achieve favorable terms for the University; and
  • Analyze legal problems or issues presented by university clients and provide advice accordingly.
Represent the University in judicial and governmental proceedings
  • Serve as the University’s counsel of record in proceedings and investigations;
  • Initiate or respond to legal discovery;
  • Litigate cases or negotiate resolution of cases; and
  • Supervise in-house attorneys and assess need for, contract with, and supervise, outside counsel.
Serve as a resource for informed decision-making, policy development, and problem solving
  • Analyze legal aspects or legal issues involved in decisions;
  • Draft or revise university policies and procedures to ensure legal compliance; and
  • Serve as counsel and provide advice for university subsidiaries and affiliates in their decision-making and policy creation responsibilities or serve as liaison on legal matters when subsidiaries and affiliates have separate counsel.
Educate and inform university personnel about legal requirements and risks
  • Create, prepare, and present educational or training materials on legal issues; and
  • Respond to legal questions from campus clients as they arise.
Manage and coordinate the provision of all legal services
  • Ensure the provision of high-quality, cost-effective, and reliable legal services for the University;
  • Provide and oversee the provision of in-house legal services;
  • Retain and supervise outside counsel to provide legal services for the University; and
  • Manage the legal budget and costs of legal services.

Download the full position description for more details

How to apply

The University has retained the global search firm Major, Lindsey & Africa to help recruit for this position.

Interested candidates should submit a resume in Microsoft Word format addressed to the following Major, Lindsey & Africa contacts:

Additional questions and inquiries should also be directed to the contacts above; please do not contact the University of Rochester directly.