General Counsel

Fuller Seminary’s General Counsel manages all legal matters for the Seminary and is also responsible for overseeing both the Associate General Counsel and Director of Compliance and Risk Management. This position reports for employment purposes to the Chief Operations and Finance Officer but also has direct reporting responsibilities to the President and Board of Trustees.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Responsible for managing all legal matters for the Seminary.

Provide a high level of professional legal service by representing and advising the Seminary on a broad range of legal and administrative matters.

Assumes oversight responsibility for ensuring that the Seminary conducts its business in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Provides advice to key leaders and administrators on legal matters affecting the Seminary, including advising the Trustees on their legal duties to the corporation.

Provides input and counsel to seminary administration on federal and state legislation and its impact on Fuller and its religious freedom.

Serves as a key resource to the seminary leadership on the legal implications of new legislation and regulations, religious freedom and risk management, in addition to partnering with Communications and Marketing on government affairs strategies.

Serves as a legal advisor for employee and labor relations matters including advice for faculty appointments and review, tenure/promotion issues involving non-renewal or potential termination of faculty, review and assessment of intellectual property/technology transfer policies affecting faculty work (including patent and copyright issues), discrimination and harassment complaints, compliance with American with Disabilities Act and other anti-discrimination laws as well as compliance with state and federal wage, overtime, and employee benefit laws.

Serves as legal advisor for student affairs related to student conduct, student disciplinary proceedings, institutional responses to student health and safety issues, student records, and student organizational activities.

Serves as legal advisor for the seminary for the areas of Campus Safety / Clery Act and Title IX matters.

Serves as the legal spokesperson to the media, when deemed necessary.

Works collaboratively with key leaders to develop and implement seminary policies to make sure they are legally defensible.

Supervise outside counsel and others representing the Seminary in litigation or claims.

Play an active role in the seminary’s Emergency Response Team.

Secures specialized legal counsel and/or delegates to appropriate counsel in such areas as: Charitable Giving, Real Estate, Employment Law, Trademarking, International Business

Perform other duties as assigned by the Board of Trustees, President , or CFO/COO.

SECONDARY FUNCTIONS:

Supports and contributes to appropriate compliance training / education to Seminary community areas.

Active participant on Compliance Committee, other committees as assigned

Drafts, negotiates and reviews contracts.

Oversees intellectual property and trademark matters for the seminary.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED:

Education Required

Juris Doctorate degree from an American Bar Association accredited institution

A member in good standing with the State Bar of California

Experience Required

Ten years of experience in the practice of law preferably with at least five years of management experience in a legal department or firm. It is highly desirable that the candidate has significant and broad experience with higher education legal issues.

Preferred experience in legal issues of higher education and significant experience in the area of employment law.

General familiarity with the areas of non-profit, real estate, taxation and constitutional law.

Has a strong understanding of religious freedom matters, especially as they relate to faith-based higher education.

Skills Required

Demonstrate superb judgement, critical thinking and reasoning skills with a reputation for discretion, integrity, and sensitivity to Christ-centered service and ethics.

Demonstrate a positive “can-do” attitude characterized by solving problems objectively with humble confidence.

This position requires excellent oral and written communication skills.

Excellent interpersonal skills

Strong legal research abilities.

Strong analytical, advocacy and problem-solving skills.

Ability to work collegially in a diverse and complex environment. This position interacts regularly with senior level administration and trustees.

Possesses multicultural sensitivity and good conflict resolution skills

Ability to create, compose, and edit legal opinions and other written materials

Ability to investigate and analyze information and draw conclusions

Ability to draft legal documents, such as legal responses, affidavits, position statements, and briefs.

Ability to represent Seminary officials in litigation, mediation, arbitration, or administration proceedings or coordinate outside counsel to do so.

Ability to develop and implement legal strategies and solutions

Negotiating skills

Highly accurate and detail-oriented

Maintain the highest level of integrity and confidentiality

Mental Demands

Ability to communicate effectively, written and verbal, in a friendly, patient, and professional manner.

Manage several projects simultaneously, and make sound decisions.

Work well with deadline pressures and distractions.

High initiative with the ability to work independently.

Motivated to take initiative. Ability to exercise confidentiality, good judgement, and discretion in job performance.

Logical problem solving ability.

Ability to quickly adapt to changing circumstances

In agreement with the mission and vision of Fuller Theological Seminary in providing a Christian-based higher education for its students.

Physical Demands

Able to sit or stand for up to 8 hours at a time

Able to bend, grasp, and reach

Able to lift up to 25 pounds

Able to push and pull up to 50 pounds

Requires repetitive motions and sitting at computer keyboard

Able to hear and speak on the telephone

Able to read, take notes, and view a computer monitor

Able to conduct business and attend meetings at other offices on campus, requiring walking and/or driving to various locations

Visual Demands

Computer monitor and reading

Technologies

Proficient in Google Apps

Proficient in Microsoft Office, Word and Excel, Powerpoint

ADDITIONAL REMARKS

This position requires a background and credit check

Willing to adhere to Fuller's Community Standards

Willing to sign Fuller's Statement of Faith

Fuller Theological Seminary is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. To the extent required by law, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status. As a religious institution, Fuller Theological Seminary is permitted and reserves the right to prefer employees or prospective employees for certain positions on the basis of religion.