Major Duties: - Responsible for providing legal representation, advice, counsel and opinions in all areas of law affecting the University, including administrative, student, faculty, and staff affairs, academic programs, intercollegiate athletics, research compliance, trademark licensing, intellectual property, technology transfer, international agreements, regulatory compliance, privacy law, insurance, real estate, open records, all aspects of state and federal employment laws, important legal documents and agreements, and University policies and procedures, and legal support for the WMU Foundation, the Paper Technology Foundation and the Biosciences Research and Commercialization Center.- Directs the operations in the Office of Legal Affairs, Risk and Compliance including the internal audit and risk management functions.- Participates in discussions of institutional matters as a member of the President's Cabinet.- Attends Board of Trustee and WMU Foundation Board meetings and serves as Attorney to both Boards in legal matters.- Provides counsel to University administrators on various federal, state, and local compliance issues, including the Clery Act, Title IX, ADA, FERPA, HIPAA and related state laws, NCAA regulations, FCC, PCI, IRS, UPMIFA and various employment mandates set forth in federal, state, and local law.- Oversees reviews of a wide variety of contracts including employment contracts, procurement contracts, software licenses, equipment leases, affiliation agreements, consulting contracts, gift agreements academic cooperation agreements, and grant agreements.- Oversee reviews of proposed changes to University and WMU Foundation policies and the creation of new policies on an as need basis. Reviews various federal, state and local laws applicable to University operations and provides guidance to the President and the Board of Trustees in order to ensure compliance.- Provides legal representation, advice and opinions in monitoring and resolving disputes that may lead to arbitration or litigation.- Arranges and supervises outside attorneys who provide legal advice or representation in areas of special expertise or in litigation.- Assists as needed with the University and WMU Foundation responses to external requests for information, reporting, complaints or citations from external governmental or non-governmental organizations.- Oversees requests for information under FOIA regulation.- Performs other duties as assigned by the President and/or the Board of Trustees.
Minimum Qualifications: - Undergraduate degree from an accredited institution of higher education and a law degree from an ABA accredited school of law, membership in the State Bar of Michigan or eligibility for admission based on reciprocity is required. (If reciprocity is not available, ongoing employment for out of state candidates is contingent on becoming full Michigan State Bar members within one year of employment.)- Ten years of broad legal experience in higher education, government, healthcare and/or other not-for-profit entities gained in-house or through working closely with higher education, government, healthcare or not-for-profit clients.- Demonstrated interest, skills and experiences in working with diverse groups.- Proven outstanding leadership and management skills and the ability to successfully direct the assigned University functions and staff.
One of the top-100 public universities in the United States, Western Michigan University is committed to being learner centered, discovery driven and globally engaged. Founded in 1903, what was once Western Michigan College became Michigan's fourth public university in 1957. Since then, WMU has undergone dramatic growth in size and stature. Today, the University offers more than 240 academic programs to students pursuing degrees through the doctoral level. More than 20 percent of its 25,000 students are enrolled in graduate course work, studying in disciplines ranging from atomic physics and graph theory to medieval literature and blind rehabilitation. Of 101 graduate offerings available, 30 lead to a doctoral degree.
