Position Details

Position Information

Position Type Administrative Appointment Classification Title General Counsel Position's Functional Title General Counsel Position Start Date Position End Date (if temporary) Position Summary

Governors State University [GSU] is accepting applications for the position of General Counsel.

The General Counsel is the chief legal officer of the university, and manages all legal questions personally or through outside counsel. The position will manage the Office of the General Counsel, provide day-to-day legal counsel for the GSU Board of Trustees and the university president, and formulates legal solutions to issues impacting the university. The General Counsel is an officer of the university and attends all Board meetings and is a member of the President’s Cabinet. The position renders advice and legal opinions regarding students, employment, transactional and real estate issues as well as manages litigation and administrative complaints. The position will provide advice on and oversee the review of policies, procedures, contracts, grants, and license agreements for compliance to applicable federal and state laws and regulations and university policies. The position provides input and guidance pertaining to athletics-related issues, laws and restrictions.

Examples of issues addressed by this position and office may include, but are not be limited to:

• Grants and contracts, including the university’s collective bargaining agreements and labor management issues
• Real estate transactions and issues
• Federal and state regulations, including the Illinois State Officials and Employees Ethics Act
• Academic freedom and tenure
• Due process and First Amendment matters
• Campus security
• Equal employment and personnel laws
• Nondiscrimination statutes
• University policies
• Student matters, records, housing and financial aid
• Title IX compliance
• FOIA Requests
• Working with Procurement on issues such as construction project contracts and debt financing
• Illinois and federal open meetings laws
• FERPA
• Intellectual property issues including university-stakeholder interactions (corporations, funding agencies, federal and state government, philanthropic organizations, etc.)
• Service as parliamentarian to the Board of Trustees

The position and office work closely with GSU administration on litigation involving the university in federal and state courts.

The General Counsel acts as the university’s Ethics Officer as described in the Illinois State Officials and Employees Ethics Act.

As a university with a strong commitment to the principles of diversity and inclusion, GSU expects its General Counsel to help foster a legal environment in which all members of the university community may learn, live and work in an atmosphere of mutual respect and nondiscrimination.

Minimum Qualifications

The successful candidate must hold a Juris Doctorate from an ABA accredited institution and at least seven years of professional legal experience practicing law; personal and professional integrity, excellent judgment, and exceptional communication and relationship-building skills.

Experience managing complex legal issues, effective membership of a strategic leadership team, and prior experience with legal issues in a public higher education environment is highly preferred. Experience in Illinois higher education is preferred.

Admission to the practice of law in Illinois is a condition of continued employment and is required within six (6) months of appointment.

Preferred Qualifications Posting Date 01/14/2019 Closing Date Open Until Filled Yes Posting Number AP0201P Type of Search External Quicklink for Posting http://employment.govst.edu/postings/4139 Employee ID Department Special Instructions to Applicants Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Required Documents Required Documents

1. Cover Letter
2. Transcripts
3. Curriculum Vitae
4. Certification/Professional License
5. List of References

Optional Documents

1. Other
2. Other2
3. Other3
4. Other4
5. Other5