General Counsel

The General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Vice President of Legal Affairs is an executive at Chicago State University (the “University”). This position will report directly to the President.

The General Counsel will provide complex legal advice, counsel, and representation to the University and direct-support organizations as assigned by the President. The General Counsel is charged with providing advice and support to the President, Board of Trustees, Provost, Deans and other administrators, faculty and staff. This position oversees, coordinates and trains lower-level attorneys and professional staff. This position provides legal advice, counsel, and represents the University in legal matters pertaining to litigation and adversarial proceedings, labor and employment law, governance, statutory interpretation, regulation and compliance.
• Provide legal services, counsel and representation to University colleges, departments and other directly related organizations.
• Independently anticipates, identifies and resolves legal issues of concern to senior University administration.
• Develops appropriate legal strategies and solutions, often in situations of high risk to the University, with limited time for assessing alternatives.
• Establishes working guidelines to include internal operating policies, intake procedures, work priorities, turnaround times, quality standards, and other operational benchmarks.
• Oversees, coordinates, and trains lower-level attorneys and support staff.
• Coordinate services of outside counsel and participate in the defense of litigation.
• Manage various litigation and adversarial proceedings.
• Monitors and analyzes complex current, proposed, or pending laws, regulations, and other internal or external developments affecting the University in areas of legal specialty.
• Translate legal information and requirements into meaningful client advice including supporting and developing client education and training opportunities.
• Address areas of risk or loss resulting from developments in the law or activities of the University.
• Negotiate, prepare, review, approve and interpret complex contracts and other legal instruments involving risk or significance to the University.
• Prepare legal documents necessary to serve the best interests of the University and to facilitate legal compliance.
• Provide advice and counsel in conflicts of interest and compliance issues.
• Maintain professional growth and development through seminars, workshops, and professional affiliations to keep abreast of latest developments in college and university law and in other related areas.
• Perform such other duties as may be delegated by the President.

The position requires the execution of all job responsibilities and duties in full compliance with all applicable state mandates, university rules and Federal regulations.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities for the Chief Compliance Officer Role:

The Chief Compliance Officer provides leadership, direction, and integration of compliance activities to fulfill university needs and city, state and federal regulations.

Reporting to the University President, the Chief Compliance Officer directs the formulation of strategic compliance planning in support of the University’s vision, mission and values. Directs integrated implementation and evaluation of compliance initiatives and on-going activities for compliance units including the Office of Legal Affairs and Internal Audit and other compliance partners as may be identified to serve future needs. Interfaces with senior administration, faculty, staff and government agency officials in the representation and development of various strategic compliance programs, policies, services and initiatives. Serves as the University’s chief representative and advocate for excellence in compliance functions.
• Provides integrative leadership and strategic direction to various compliance issues. Coordinates short- and long-term goals of participating departments.
• Provides strategic guidance and representation to leadership on changing governmental requirements in the areas of civil rights, affirmative action, equal opportunity, reporting obligations under the Clery Act, dispute resolution and internal auditing and reporting and related areas as may be identified in the future.
• Directs and oversees the university’s integrated strategic compliance planning process, to include short and long term strategic plan development, review, approval, implementation and evaluation.
• Provides guidance, collaboration and support to the implementation process for key compliance strategies, initiatives and action plans.
• Leads the development and implementation of policies and procedures related to the various compliance areas of oversight in alignment with government laws and regulations.
• Plans, develops, monitors, revises and implements the university’s compliance initiatives in response to changes in the law; consults with various representatives as necessary to ensure program effectiveness.
• Directs and collaborates in the development of multifaceted compliance educational and training programs so that employees and management are knowledgeable of institutional policies and pertinent federal and state standards.
• Oversees compliance reviews in collaboration with constituent divisions, departments, and units.
• Interacts with senior management, faculty, staff and/or government agency officials, to represent and promote the development of strategic compliance programs to further university awareness on related initiatives.
• Directs the development of periodic compliance reports of the areas of oversight to other senior leadership members and various committees.
• Develops an ongoing campaign to heighten awareness of the various university’s main campus compliance programs, disseminates compliance information and collects employee feedback as appropriate.
• Leads the development of internal reviews to assess university compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Oversees adequate record maintenance and processes are in place to document compliance efforts.
• Directs the assessment of targeted compliance issues, investigations, or potential problems.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.
• This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee and is subject to change based on the needs of the department and/or university.

Juris Doctorate degree from a law school approved for accreditation by the American Bar Association, a member in good standing of the Bar of the supreme court of the state in which he or she practices law, and the prompt eligibility for such license and standing in Illinois.

A minimum of ten years of legal practice experience in a relevant area, having attained a senior position of responsibility in firm, corporation, government agency, or other organization that employs him or her.

Five years as general counsel of a large educational, non-profit, for-profit, or governmental organization, or equivalent role as outside counsel, is preferred.

A minimum of five years of experience in supervising the work of other lawyers, is preferred.

Significant experience in higher education legal matters or representation of colleges or universities.

Record of exercising excellent judgment on behalf of clients including large and complex organizations and issues.

Commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards; personal and professional integrity beyond reproach; unquestioned discretion in maintaining confidentiality.

Excellent written and oral communications skills in public and private settings with diverse audiences; ability to translate complex legal issues for a lay audience.

Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, able to collaborate with a diverse population, and ability to relate well with Trustees, senior administrators, student, faculty, staff, government officials, and external audiences.

Ready availability at all times in person or electronically to the president and senior administrators in case of emergency.

Possession of a valid motor vehicle driver’s license.

A sense of urgency and responsiveness in dealing with clients, and an ability to handle multiple tasks in a timely manner.