Chief Legal Officer

The Chief Legal Officer serves as a key strategic legal adviser for the University. Provides oversight for all legal matters affecting the University while providing high level, professional legal counsel to the University President, senior leadership and faculty on a broad range of issues to support the University’s mission and objectives. Oversees the Office of Legal Affairs.

Essential Functions

Provides legal advice or consultation to the University President, administration and faculty through administrative channels related to the course and scope of their employment.

Reviews and recommends institutional policies, procedures, guidelines and other documents as needed.

Advises on a wide range of legal matters, including authority for proposed actions and compliance with applicable state and federal laws.

Performs sophisticated legal research, investigations and analysis with regard to a wide range of legal, legislative, policy, administrative and institutional matters.

Provides timely, accessible, and sound legal advice on legal issues arising in the context of higher education, including: education law, risk management, Title IX, Clery Act, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, intellectual property, real property and construction, governance and parliamentary procedure, privacy and public information, ethics and conflicts of interest, fiscal accountability, employment law, and other legal matters. This includes advising the President on the practical aspects of applicable laws and any associated risks to foster strategic thinking and decision-making.

Coordinate directly with the Office of General Counsel and the Attorney General’s office on pending cases and other litigation matters involving the University.

In coordination with the Office of General Counsel and the Attorney General’s office, prepare court pleadings, legal memoranda and other papers for filing in litigation and administrative matters.

Provide oral and written reports and recommendations on findings and outcomes to the President and Governing Board or directly to other University and/or UT System executives; when appropriate, makes recommendations for action and implementation.

Reduces the likelihood for inappropriate, unnecessary or costly institutional liability in contractual agreements and terms or business arrangements by reviewing and/or preparing contracts and other legal documents for execution by or on behalf of the University.

Represents the University during administrative or judicial proceedings in state, federal, and local courts and agencies, advising in the representation, or overseeing the representation of the University before University system hearing bodies as well as administrative and judicial bodies of the United States and the State of Texas.

Advises and assists in dispute resolution within the University, using negotiation, mediation, and in-house grievance hearings and appeals. Negotiates settlements involving legal issues or transactions on behalf of the University in conjunction with other University officials.

Reviews, prepares, and approves contracts involving leases, licenses, purchases, sales, insurance, employment, research, academic, and related matters.

Anticipates, identifies and mitigates legal risks within the University. Counsels management in order to develop legal strategies and solutions.

Ensures a healthy and productive balance between minimizing legal risk and supporting ongoing academic, research and co-curricular programs and enabling entrepreneurial innovation that furthers academic distinctiveness.

Renders advice to assist with the resolution of complaints or concerns involving allegations of legal or policy violations, including discrimination, misconduct, and information security and safety.

Reviews, prepares, and approves policies and procedures, regulations, bylaws, and other documents within legal specialty areas.

Collaborates with the Administration in the development of personnel management policies and procedures that take into account legal implications and provides for legal representation of the University’s rights.

Evaluates whether campus policies and programs are in compliance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations, and assists with corrective actions as needed.

Coordinates with liability insurance coverage providers on the representation of the University before state and federal agencies.

Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses as directed.

Leads training and preventative law presentations to educate all University constituencies, including faculty and staff, on aspects of their work that have legal implications and maintain effective and regular communication to create a culture of ongoing awareness and prevention on campus.

Contributes to the overall success of the University by performing other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Responsible for the management and supervision of the Office of Legal Affairs.

Promotes and ensures privacy and confidentiality of information and records at all times.

Incumbent must be available to attend evening and weekend meetings as required.

Some travel may be required.

Knowledge of all Microsoft Office software and able to learn and use institutional software systems.

Complies with all State and University Policies.

Other duties may be assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s objectives, policies and applicable laws.

Required Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Juris Doctorate degree from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school and admittance to practice law in Texas

Ten years of experience, related to the statement of duties and responsibilities.

Five years of demonstrated senior level or other leadership experience in the delivery of sophisticated legal services (whether as in-house or outside counsel), and a commitment to a demanding legal office.

Knowledge of federal, state and local government agencies and methods of operation, educational, employment and criminal law, current and developing issues in higher education, and legal methods, practices and procedures.

Preferred Qualifications

Solid working knowledge of matters related to:

• Employment law, international law, and experience with the application of ADA, VAWA, ACA, other anti-discrimination laws, FERPA, Title IX, and the Clery Act;

• Experience in the areas of law such as HIPAA, ERISA, FMLA,FLSA, OSHA, and NCAA rules;

• Experience working with state and federal administrative agencies;

• Sophisticated ability to understand and manage risk and compliance issues;

• Strong appetite for residual risk; and

• Superb analytical, research, writing, advocacy, and problem-solving skills.

Skilled in:

• Conducting legal research and preparing legal opinions

• Preparing and presenting court cases

• Communicating effectively orally and in writing and establishing cooperative working relationships with persons contacted in the course of performing assigned duties

• Providing excellent legal advocacy

• Interpreting statutes, policies and other legal documents and communicating the content of those documents in an explanatory manner

• Establishing contacts to gather, exchange and disseminate information and explain decisions and issues,

• Leading and managing legal and organizational functions and promoting an environment of excellence, support and satisfaction

• Demonstrating the highest level of ethical standards and practices

• The ability to provide effective legal representation within time constraints is required.

• The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is required.

Leadership Qualities:

• Confidence to make difficult decisions given competing priorities and expectations;

• Courage to interject into longstanding processes to contribute legal perspectives and prevent larger legal problems in the future;

• Flexibility to deal with unexpected legal problems;

• Highest standard of personal ethics and integrity;

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills;

• Strong commitment to and appreciation of best practices in diversity and inclusion in higher education;

• Ability to inspire trust and build relationships across all University constituencies; and

• High level of energy, sense of humor, and grace under pressure.

Working Conditions

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit and climb or balance. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

EO/AA Statement

The University of Texas at El Paso is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or sexual orientation andf gender in employment or the provision of services.