Assistant College Counsel

GENERAL PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF POSITION:

The Assistant College Counsel serves as legal counsel for College representatives in the course of employment and assists the Vice President for Legal and Public Affairs, College Counsel, and outside counsel in advising the President, Board of Trustees, Chancellors, and other executive officers of the College. The Assistant College Counsel will assist and support the College Counsel in providing legal guidance to College leadership, managing real estate transactions, conducting investigations, and responding to other legal proceedings.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• In addition to the Vice President of Legal and Public Affairs, College Counsel and outside counsel, represents the College, President, and Board of Trustees on legal matters at the direction of College Counsel.

• Assists College Counsel in managing College responses to litigation, legal investigations, and other legal proceedings.

• In consultation with College Counsel, advises the President, Board of Trustees, Vice Presidents, and senior administrators on matters pertaining to applicable litigation, laws, regulations, and other duties under the law.

• Maintains expertise and provides legal guidance, updates, reviews, and recommendations on existing and evolving laws (including statutes and regulations) and legal trends involving all aspects of College academic and non-academic operations. Such areas include, but are not limited to, labor and employment law, administrative and constitutional law, contracts, privacy, academic and research regulations, construction and real property regulations, intellectual property, and applicability of state and federal laws.

• Along with the Vice President of Legal and Public Affairs and College Counsel, coordinates the engagement and work product of outside counsel and designated legal representatives and insurers, where applicable.

• Assists College Counsel in managing and conducting factual investigations related to threatened, potential, or pending litigation;

• Handles real estate transactions for the College.

• Manages and responds to Access to Public Records Act Requests.

• Performs review of contracts.

• Serves as a member of the College’s Tax Intercept Committee.

• Reviews, coordinates, and responds to notices of tort claims filed against the College.

• Represents the College, when directed by College Counsel, in small claims cases and in non-complicated litigation in state and federal court.

• Represents the College, when directed by College Counsel, in administrative proceedings, including but not limited to internal grievance hearings.

• In consultation with College Counsel, assists with management, review, investigation, and responses to complaints filed with the College’s anonymous whistleblower system, Ethicspoint, and make periodic reports to the State Board of Trustees on matters raised through the system; manages outside counsel with EthicsPoint reports are investigated externally.

• In consultation with College Counsel, assists in management, investigations, and responses to complaints (or manages outside counsel who respond on the behalf of the College) filed with external agencies, including but not limited to the EEOC, the United States Department of Education, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, the Higher Learning Commission, the Indiana Civil Rights Commission, local municipal or county offices for Civil Rights, IOSHA, OSHA, and the United States Department of Labor

This is not to be construed as an exhaustive list.  Other duties logically associated with this position may be assigned. All responsibilities will be conducted within the parameters of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), other applicable regulatory requirements, and professional standards.

Supervision Received: College Counsel

Supervision Given:  None

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Law degree from an American Bar Association-accredited law school.

• License to practice in the State of Indiana, with admission to practice in the United States District Courts located within Indiana.

• A minimum of two (2) years of law practice experience.

• Experience working in higher education preferred.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills necessary to effectively represent the College, President, and Board of Trustees in legal matters.

• Ability to communicate complex issues and legal concepts to non-lawyers.

• Demonstrated ability to navigate effectively through and successfully work with different departments and constituencies.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and work u