Assistant/Associate/Senior Associate General Counsel

The Office of General Counsel (OGC) at Cornell University is a general practice law office that proactively advances the university’s mission by providing timely and trusted legal services and by diligently protecting the university’s resources.  The office acts as the university’s legal advocate in various matters, including litigation, regulatory compliance, and business transactions. 

OGC includes approximately 25 attorneys and ten staff who provide legal services and advice to all Cornell campuses and units in the United States and abroad. The office operates from two locations: the main Cornell campus in Ithaca, New York, and the Weill Cornell Medicine campus in New York City.

OGC attorneys collaborate with campus colleagues across a broad range of disciplines and provide advice and counsel on all legal matters affecting the University.  The office is organized into four main practice groups – Litigation, Administrative Proceedings, and Regulatory Compliance; Research, Technology and Academic Innovation; Business, Charitable Giving, and Transactions; and People and Inclusive Excellence.  The OGC also provides university and departmental trainings and workshops on legal and regulatory matters.  Attorneys write and speak regularly at state and national conferences on higher education law and related matters.

The two open positions will be filled at the assistant, associate, or senior associate general counsel level, depending on qualifications and experience. 

Litigation, Administrative Proceedings, and Regulatory Compliance Attorney

The Ithaca office is seeking two skilled and engaged litigation attorneys to provide advice and counsel to university leaders on a range of legal issues, represent the university in federal and state courts or administrative tribunals, and take proactive steps to manage risk through preventative lawyering.

Each position reports directly to the Vice President and General Counsel and works with others in the Litigation, Administrative Proceedings, and Regulatory Compliance practice group to manage a diverse portfolio.  The attorneys do not directly supervise staff but will assign and oversee the completion of tasks and assignments delegated to paralegal and administrative staff.

Litigation attorneys are responsible for:

• Representing the university in state and federal trial and appellate courts as well as before administrative agencies.

• Leading internal investigations to manage organizational risk.

• Responding to complaints, demands, and subpoenas directed to the university, as well as  inquiries and investigations from federal and state regulatory agencies.

• Supervising outside counsel to ensure alignment with institutional priorities and legal strategy.

• Managing discovery processes and depositions in litigation matters.

• Reviewing and developing policy to mitigate risk and ensure legal and regulatory compliance.

• Developing and presenting trainings and engaging in preventative lawyering efforts.

Ideal candidates will have experience handling personal injury, employment, and contract litigation. In addition, selected candidates will provide advice and counsel in a range of practice areas and, therefore, should also have experience in or interest in developing expertise in one of the following areas: insurance, construction, federally funded research compliance, antitrust, or employment, especially as those areas affect a private research university.

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

This position is located in our Ithaca, NY office. Fully remote work is not available.

Required Qualifications

Applicants must be a member of, or eligible to obtain prompt reciprocal admission to, the New York State Bar. Applicants should have excellent academic credentials and legal experience, strong ethical standards and professional integrity, and be able to demonstrate well-honed legal research, writing, and oral communication skills.

• J.D. or L.L.B. degree from an accredited law school and the appropriate relevant experience associated with the university title.

• Experience representing private sector employe