General Counsel

The general counsel is responsible for leading strategic and tactical legal initiatives for the university. This position provides senior management with effective advice on company strategies and their implementation, manages legal functionality and obtains and oversees the work of outside counsel. The general counsel is directly involved in complex business transactions, including the negotiation of critical contracts.

Essential Job Functions and Performance Indicators

The intent of this job description is to provide a representation of the types of duties and level of responsibility that will be required of positions given this title. This job description shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Job Responsibilities

Maintains responsibility for review of contracts, student issues, employee issues, injury claims, collections, litigation, subpoenas, compliance, corporate filings, education law, real estate law, trademarks and general policy review

Manages all legal issues affecting the university

Advises on legal aspects of the company’s finances, including assessing and advising on current and future business structures and legal entities

Leadership and Strategic Thinking

Manages the university’s legal function and obtains and oversees the work of outside counsel

Leads complex business transactions in negotiating critical contracts

Human Resources Management

Selects new personnel and provides training for newly recruited team members

Serves as a coach and mentor for other positions within the organization

Administrative and Operational Duties

Judges the merit of major court cases filed against or on behalf of the university

Assumes ultimate responsibility for ensuring that the company conducts its business in compliance with applicable Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) et al. laws and regulations

Communication and Collaboration

Collaborates with executive cabinet members to define strategic defense and approves settlement of disputes where warranted

University Mission

Supports the mission of the university and serves as an ambassador of the Q2 culture of service excellence

Job may require other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications – An equivalent combination of education, training and experience will be considered (additional requirements may be designated by position).

Juris Doctor degree required

Minimum of ten years of broad legal experience including knowledge of higher education law required

Active Missouri Bar Membership required

Active Illinois Bar Membership preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities – May be representative, but not all inclusive, of the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform this job competently

Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse communities and cultures

Excellent written and spoken communication skills

Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with staff, colleagues, students and community

Ability to effectively organize and prioritize work

Ability to multitask

Strong professional integrity and ability to maintain strict confidentiality

Ability to use good judgment and think critically

Ability to effectively use general office hardware and computer software applications

Work Environment – Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of this job’s functions.

General office conditions

Occasional evening and weekend work may be required

Physical Abilities – The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform this job’s essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Work effectively at a computer for extended period of time daily

Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function

Equal Opportunity Employer

Lindenwood University is an Equal Opportunity employer. The University complies with appropriate federal, state, and local laws and provides equal employment opportunities and access to education programs without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other protected status to all qualified applicants and employees. Lindenwood University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and dedicated to providing a positive discrimination-free educational work environment.