The responsibility of the Associate University Attorney is to assist the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsels in providing comprehensive legal advice and assistance to East Carolina University. The Associate University Attorney will report directly to the Deputy General Counsel and Associate Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs and will assist in advising the Chancellor, the Provost and other senior administrators including vice chancellors, deans and department chairs, as well as the Board of Trustees, faculty and staff concerning legal matters such as University policies and procedures, employee relations, student discipline, contracts, pending litigation, and other University legal matters. Such assistance also includes furnishing legal advice relating to and coordinating preparation for administrative hearings involving senior administrators and/or committees. The Associate University Attorney provides legal advice to administrators regarding enforcement of disciplinary standards and policies for faculty, staff, and students, including recruitment, hiring and discharge of employees; matters of appointment, reappointment, tenure, and discharge or imposition of serious sanctions involving faculty; and conduct and academic integrity matters involving students. The Associate University Attorney advises East Carolina University concerning the legal implications of proposed policies and actions, counsels the University as to compliance with State and federal laws and administrative regulations, advises administrators or University committees as they review employment decisions and make recommendations to the Chancellor, assists with internal investigations as needed, assists in coordinating responses to requests for public records, and provides campus-based litigation support for University matters handled by the Attorney General of N.C. The Associate University Attorney serves as a liaison between East Carolina University and (1) the legal staff of the University of North Carolina Office of the President, (2) the legal staff of the North Carolina Department of Justice/Office of the Attorney General, and (3) other entities outside the University. The Associate University Attorney represents the University before a variety of external regulatory and law enforcement agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, United States Department of Justice, and the Office for Civil Rights. This function requires responding to inquiries, charges, or complaints, registered by or with such organizations, usually through conducting internal investigations; marshaling evidence; and assisting in the development and articulation of responses by University administrators and preparation for related hearings and/or litigation.
Salary and title are commensurate with experience.
Job Duties:
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Assist the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsels in providing comprehensive legal advice and assistance to East Carolina University. The Associate University Attorney will report directly to the Deputy General Counsel and Associate Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs and will assist in advising the Chancellor, the Provost and other senior administrators including vice chancellors, deans and department chairs, as well as the Board of Trustees, faculty and staff concerning legal matters.
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Provides legal advice to administrators regarding enforcement of disciplinary standards and policies for faculty and staff. This advice includes matters of recruitment, hiring and discharge of employees; and as applicable matters of appointment, reappointment, tenure and discharge or imposition of serious sanctions involving faculty. The Associate University Attorney will provide specific support and advice to administrators in preparation for and prosecution of related campus hearings and, when appropriate, appeals to the UNC Board of Governors and/or litigation.
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Provides legal advice to administrators regarding disciplinary standards and policies for students. This advice includes matters of student conduct, academic integrity, and Title IX compliance.
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Serves as a resource and provides legal advice regarding subpoenas, court orders and public record requests. This advice includes reviewing records and redacting, as appropriate, prior to production to the requestor. It regularly requires legal research regarding applicable privacy laws, including but not limited to, the NC public records law, FERPA, HIPAA and the NC personnel record statutes.
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Responds to inquiries, charges, or complaints registered by or with external regulatory and law enforcement agencies, to include conducting or assisting with internal investigations; marshaling evidence for reports, investigative responses, and discovery; and assisting in the development and articulation of University positions and responses in consultation with the General Counsel and other appropriate University administrators.
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Serves as a liaison between East Carolina University and the legal staff of The University of North Carolina University System Office, the legal staff of the North Carolina Department of Justice/Office of the Attorney General, outside counsel and other entities inside and outside the University.
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As needed, provides supplemental support for the coordination and negotiation of contracts, affiliation agreements and MOUs. This may include drafting or providing legal review of documents.
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Conducts legal research and prepares legal opinions regarding state and federal laws applicable to higher education, including but not limited to, FERPA, Title IX, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, ADEA, ADA, FMLA.
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Serve as a legal resource in standing meetings of University committees/groups, including advising on open meetings matters
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Attends and serves as a legal resource in University Board of Trustee meetings. This may include reviewing or preparing documents for meetings and advising on matters before the Board of Trustees.
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Attends and serves as a legal resource to other University committees and/or groups including but not limited to Faculty Senate, Staff Senate, University Behavioral Concerns Team, and other University groups or committees charged to care out University tasks.
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Attends continuing legal education and other courses to stay current on legal developments affecting the University and to maintain NC license to practice law.
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Other duties as assigned.
Contingent upon availability of funds.
