The University of Akron, a comprehensive state university in Ohio with approximately 15,000 students, 185 undergraduate majors and 210 graduate programs including a law degree program, invites applications and nominations for the position of General Counsel. 

The Vice President and General Counsel serves as the University’s chief legal affairs officer in coordination with the Ohio Attorney General's Office, pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding between the Board of Trustees and the Ohio Attorney General. The position holder provides legal advice to the President; the Board of Trustees; University executive, administrative and academic officers, and others. The Vice President and General Counsel also serves as the Chief Ethics Officer of the University of Akron.

The Vice President and General Counsel reports administratively to the president and serves as the chief legal advisor to the Board of Trustees, the president and other administrators.  The position is responsible to the Board and the president for the direction and supervision of all legal matters of the university, including the provision of legal counsel and advice and services in all matters pertaining to the practice of law on behalf of The University of Akron.  Specific duties of the Vice President and General Counsel are broad and complex.

In addition to the General Counsel, the office of the General Counsel includes three full-time attorneys and two legal assistants.  The office is supported by outside attorneys with special expertise (i.e., Special Counsel) appointed by the Attorney General, as well as in-house legal staff of the Office of the Ohio Attorney General.

Additional Position Information:

Qualifications

The University of Akron seeks a trusted leader with exceptional judgment who can provide timely, strategic and creative strategies for solving legal problems and capitalizing on legal opportunities. The next Vice President and General Counsel will convey a profound appreciation for the mission, vision and values of an urban public research university and have a clear sense of the role and impact of shared governance and collective bargaining at UA. This individual must be able to thrive in a highly collaborative environment; translate complex ideas into cogent messages; and partner with the necessary stakeholders to drive change.

Required

1. The successful candidate must have graduated from an ABA-accredited school of law and be a member of the State of Ohio Bar or be eligible to practice law in the State of Ohio within six months after hiring.

2.  A minimum of ten years of relevant experience as an attorney dealing with a broad range of legal areas is required.

3. Candidates also must be qualified for appointment as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Ohio.

Desired

1. Previous experience with higher education is highly desired.  Familiarity with public law issues, including public records law, ethics laws and federal and state constitutional issues, as well as those legal issues identified in the representative list below, is desired.

2. The University prefers a Vice President and General Counsel with knowledge of Ohio law and higher education in public or private university settings.  It is desired that successful candidate has in-depth knowledge of business and contract law, intellectual property law, employment law, Title IV funding, Title IX state and federal statutes applicable to institutions of higher education and experience reviewing and drafting a wide range of legal agreements.  Experience with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and public-records and open-meeting statutes also is desired.

Compensation

The compensation for this position is commensurate with experience.

Application

Nominations and inquiries may be directed to sarah30@uakron.edu.

Full consideration will be given to all applications received by November 22, 2024. Application materials (to include a letter of interest, resume and the names and email addresses of five references, who will not be contacted without permission) must be submitted via the University’s application portal at https://www.uakron.edu/hr/jobs.dot.

Background Check Statement

The University of Akron is committed to providing a safe environment for all students and employees.  The University endeavors to protect the health, welfare and safety of all students, employees and visitors on our campus.  As