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The University of Cincinnati’s Office of General Counsel is seeking a Legal Assistant II. This position will report to the Vice President of Legal Affairs and General Counsel or her designee, will be responsible for helping to manage the Office’s contract review process, and will support all areas of operation, instruction, research and administration at the University. This is an outstanding professional opportunity for a paralegal or other qualified legal professional to work with highly talented and committed colleagues and to contribute to the growth of a Tier One research institution.

The Office of General Counsel is a fast-paced, high-volume environment that provides legal services to the entire University. The successful candidate will assist Office of General Counsel attorneys with providing, managing and coordinating high-quality legal services to the University in a high-volume, fast-paced environment. This position is an individual contributor who is expected to assume significant responsibility for assigned areas and work collaboratively with attorneys to manage the contract review process; identify and communicate legal risks; and execute necessary steps to carry out their duties, including clear and helpful communications with attorneys, other University personnel, and third-parties.

Job Overview

The Office of the General Counsel supports the dynamic educational environment of the University of Cincinnati by providing legal advice to support all areas of operation, instruction, research, and administration at the University.

Reporting to the Vice President of Legal Affairs and General Counsel or her designee, this position assists Office of General Counsel attorneys and other staff with providing, managing and coordinating high-quality legal services to the University on multiple unrelated matters rapidly, accurately, and effectively in a high-volume, fast paced environment consistent with the expectations of the General Counsel or her designee, University stakeholders, and the Ohio Attorney General. The position will have primary responsibility for the contract review process, to include acting as the Office’s primary point of contact for issues related to the University’s contract management system or contracting questions, providing in-depth legal review of contracts, tracking Office and University metrics for contract processing times, and coordinating with other University departments who have contacted the Office of General Counsel to inquire about submitted contracts.

The position requires effectively communicating, working cooperatively and interacting comfortably with a diverse community and with multiple constituencies including administrators, staff, faculty, students, trustees, external professionals and vendors.  The successful candidate will have strong oral and written communications skills, excellent organizational skills, high attention to detail, and the ability to execute directives from the General Counsel or Office of General Counsel attorneys promptly, accurately, and with alacrity.

Essential Functions

Receive contracts; analyze, review and negotiate proposed contracts and secure necessary approvals; prepare for attorney review and final signature by appropriate, authorized person; route for signature.

Subject matter expert in Office of General Counsel’s use and support of the University’s contract management system; primary Office point of contact for University department and third-party contracting system and contract-processing questions.

Maintain accurate computerized filing and logging systems documenting all contract activity and generate reports as needed.

As needed, support attorneys and staff with matter intake and file maintenance; maintain attorney calendars and arrange and schedule meetings; prepare correspondence.

Maintain a thorough understanding of the University’s policies, procedures, and practices, as relevant to their assigned areas of responsibility.

Liaison with University departments, staff, faculty, outside counsel and various agencies. 

Assist with special projects within the Office of General Counsel.

Perform other duties as assigned by the General Counsel or her designee and perform other related duties based on departmental need.

Minimum Requirements

Required Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Required Trainings/Certifications

N/A

Required Experience

Six (6) years of experience with a law firm, corporation, government entity, or university as a paralegal, contract administrator, or other legal professional.

Experience reviewing contracts and using a contract management system. 

Strong oral and written communication skills.

Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel.

Excellent organizational skills.

Additional Qualifications Considered

Physical Requirements/Work Environment