Assistant General Counsel, Office of General Counsel [R0133251]

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas invites applications for Assistant General Counsel, Office of General Counsel [R0133251]

ROLE of the POSITION

The Office of General Counsel at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas seeks an Assistant General Counsel. Under the general direction and supervision of the General Counsel or designee, the Assistant General Counsel is responsible for providing legal advice and services to senior academic and administrative officers of the University concerning UNLV’s legal rights and obligations, with a focus on litigation and threatened litigation for all units of the University, including the UNLV School of Dental Medicine and the UNLV School of Medicine.

The incumbent will meet regularly with the General Counsel or designee to: (1) ensure consistent application of federal, state, and local statutes, regulations, and ordinances, as well as Nevada System of Higher Education (“NSHE”) and University policies and procedures; and (2) inform the General Counsel or designee of any new or threatened litigation or significant legal matters that arise. The scope of the role includes litigating on behalf of UNLV on matters in the courts of both the State of Nevada and the United States, and proceedings in federal and state administrative and regulatory agencies. The Assistant General Counsel will play a critical role in conducting research and providing litigation and pre-litigation services and advising University leadership on matters pertaining to compliance with state and federal laws affecting the University, all with a particular emphasis on civil rights/constitutional law, contracts, business and tort law, employment/EEO law, dispute resolution, student rights, athletics, academic and research matters, public records, subpoenas/records request, risk management, and public/private partnerships. The position is also responsible for other such legal or administrative duties as may be assigned by the General Counsel.

This position has a variable work schedule, and requires occasional travel. Concurrent private practice is prohibited. This position will:

• Manage a litigation caseload (from beginning to end) and pre-litigation disputes, in various areas of law, including civil/constitutional, employment, personal injury, professional liability, and general liability cases; interact and coordinate with outside counsel, as appropriate. Prepare court pleadings, legal memoranda, and other papers for filing in litigation and administrative matters; conduct discovery, including depositions. Analyze and respond to legal demands and claims.
• Provide oral and written reports and recommendations on findings and outcomes to the General Counsel or designee and/or other University administrators. When appropriate, make recommendations for action and implementation. Coordinate responses to governmental compliance inquiries, charges, and complaints; respond to audits; and coordinate and prepare responses to subpoenas, court orders, attorney requests, public records requests, and other administrative document or information requests.
• Represent the University in trials and hearings in state, federal, and local courts, and before state and federal administrative and regulatory agencies.
• Provide advice regarding enforcement of disciplinary standards and policies for faculty, staff, and students, including: (a) recruitment, hiring and discharge of employees; licensing and credentialing of professionals, as appropriate; and matters of appointment, reappointment and tenure; and (b) student conduct and academic integrity matters.
• Draft agreements, legal opinions, correspondence, policies and other documents in compliance with federal laws, state laws, and NSHE directives and guidelines; approval of contracts, releases, and other documents as to legal form.
• Identify and provide legal advice to mitigate legal risks within the University, including those related to employment and other compliance matters (i.e., FMLA, ADA, HIPAA, ACA).
• Interpret state and federal laws and regulations; Board of Regents’ Handbook; NSHE Procedures & Guidelines Manual; and University, college and unit bylaws and policies, including those related to shared governance.
• Stay abreast of legislation, trends, issues and best practices pertaining to assigned areas; review court decisions, proposed legislation and proposed programs/policies.
• As directed by General Counsel, supervise one or more attorneys and/or support staff in the Office of General Counsel, either on an ongoing or project specific basis.

QUALIFICATIONS

The position requires the ability to provide expert, comprehensive legal advice directly to University administrators without the need for close supervision and to work collaboratively in a small legal office, including skills that emphasize teamwork, communication, collegiality, and flexibility.

The successful candidate must possess personal and professional integrity, excellent communication and relationship-building skills, and political acumen.

Minimum Qualifications (Education & Experience):

J.D. degree with a minimum of five (5) years of experience in litigation before state and/or federal courts. Must be admitted to practice law in Nevada on date of employment.

Preferred Qualifications (Education & Experience):

Preference will be given to candidates with seven (7) or more years of related experience, and to candidates with relevant experience within a higher education institution or a Nevada public agency. Preference will also be given to candidates who have tried cases to verdict, and to those who have civil rights/employment law experience.

Must be available to travel occasionally and to work weekends/evenings, as required.

COMMITMENT to DIVERSITY

The successful candidate will demonstrate support for diversity, equity and inclusiveness as well as participate in maintaining a respectful, positive work environment.

SALARY RANGE

$114,802.11 – $130,037.50, depending on experience and preferred qualifications.

BENEFITS OF WORKING AT UNLV

• Generous compensation packages, separate paid time off for annual and sick leave, and holidays
• Excellent health insurance including medical, dental, and vision
• No state income tax
• Comprehensive retirement plans and voluntary benefits programs
• Tuition discounts at Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) schools
• Tuition discounts for spouses, domestic partners, and dependents

PERKS

• Flexible work schedule (depending on your department)
• Employee recognition and appreciation programs
• Personal and professional development opportunities
• UNLV athletics ticket discounts
• Employee discount at UNLV’s Student Wellness Recreation Center
• Statewide employee purchase program discounts
• RebelCard discounts on and off campus
• Wellness programming for all UNLV faculty and staff at no cost

HOW TO APPLY

Submit a letter of interest, a detailed resume listing qualifications and experience, and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of at least three professional references who may be contacted.

Applicants should fully describe their qualifications and experience, with specific reference to each of the minimum and preferred qualifications because this is the information on which the initial review of materials will be based.

This position will remain open until filled. Materials should be addressed to Paul Kozina, Search Committee Chair, and are to be submitted online as we do not accept emailed materials. For assistance with the application process, please contact UNLV Human Resources at (702) 895-3504 or UNLVJobs@unlv.edu .

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR INTERNAL NSHE CANDIDATES

UNLV employees or employees within the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) MUST use the “Find Jobs” process within Workday to find and apply for jobs at UNLV and other NSHE Institutions. Once you log into Workday, type “Find Jobs” in the search box which will navigate to the internal job posting site. Locate this specific job posting by typing the requisition number, R0133251 in the search box.

If you complete an application outside of the internal application process, your application will be returned and you will have to reapply as an internal applicant which may delay your application.

PROFILE of the UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1957, UNLV is a doctoral-degree-granting institution comprised of approximately 30,000 students and more than 3,600 faculty and staff. To date, UNLV has conferred more than 152,000 degrees, producing more than 130,000 alumni around the world. UNLV is classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as an R1 research university with very high research activity. The university is committed to recruiting and retaining top students and faculty, educating the region’s diversifying population and workforce, driving economic activity through increased research and community partnerships, and creating an academic health center for Southern Nevada that includes the launch of a new UNLV School of Medicine.  UNLV is located on a 332-acre main campus and two satellite campuses in Southern Nevada.

Here at UNLV, we have come together and created one of the most affirmative and dynamic academic environments in the country. UNLV sits in the top spot in U.S. News & World Report’s annual listing of the nation’s most diverse universities for undergraduates. The university has ranked in the top ten since the rankings debuted more than a decade ago. We continue to show our commitment to serving our wonderfully diverse population and building the future for Las Vegas and Nevada.

For more information, visit us on line at:  http://www.unlv.edu

EEO/AA STATEMENT

The University of Nevada – Las Vegas (UNLV) is committed to providing a place of work and learning free of discrimination on the basis of a person’s age (40 or older), disability, whether actual or perceived by others (including service-connected disabilities), gender (including pregnancy related conditions), military status or military obligations, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, race (including hair texture and protected hairstyles such as natural hairstyles, afros, bantu knots, curls, braids, locks and twists), color, or religion (protected classes). Discrimination on the basis of a protected class, including unlawful harassment, which is a form of discrimination, is illegal under federal and state law. Where unlawful discrimination is found to have occurred, UNLV will act to stop the unlawful discrimination, to prevent its recurrence, to remedy its effects, and to discipline those responsible.

TITLE IX STATEMENT

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any education program or activity that it operates.  Non-discrimination on the basis of sex is mandated by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. §§ 1681 et seq.) and the corresponding implementation regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106).  The University’s commitment to nondiscrimination in its education programs and activities extends to applicants for admission and employment. Inquiries concerning the application of these provisions may be referred to: Michelle Sposito, J.D., Title IX Coordinator, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Box 451062, Las Vegas, NV 89154-1062, Frank and Estella Beam Hall (BEH) Room 553, Telephone: (702) 895-4055; Email: titleixcoordinator@unlv.edu , or to The Assistant Secretary of the United States Department of Education, U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20202-1100; Telephone: 1-800-421-3481 FAX: 202-453-6012; TDD: 1-800-877-8339; Email: OCR@ed.gov ; or to both.

Information pertaining to the University’s grievance procedures and grievance process, including how to report or file a complaint of sex discrimination, how to report or file a formal complaint of sexual harassment, and how the University will respond can be found online at the Office of Equal Employment & Title IX webpage.

SAFETY AND SECURITY STATEMENT

UNLV is committed to assisting all members of the UNLV community in providing for their own safety and security. The Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report compliance document is available online.

JOB CATEGORY

Administrative Faculty

Required Attachment(s)

Submit a letter of interest, a detailed resume listing qualifications and experience, and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of at least three professional references who may be contacted.

UNLV is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action educator and employer committed to achieving excellence through diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, color, religion, sex, age, creed, national origin, veteran status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, or any other factor protected by anti-discrimination laws. The University of Nevada, Las Vegas employs only United States citizens and non-citizens lawfully authorized to work in the United States. Women, under-represented groups, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.