Location: OaklandFull Time Job ID: 48410 Job Posting
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UC OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
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POSITION SUMMARY
Reporting to the Deputy General Counsel, Litigation, the Managing Counsel manages the Core Litigation practice area, including supervising a team of in-house litigators, providing direct client service and acting as liaison with outside legal firms. Serves as a resource to subordinates on highly complex legal matters or problems involving the Litigation practice; advises and renders opinions to senior management with respect to the legal implications of establishing or changing policy; works with representatives of the campuses on developing and modifying practices and procedures to conform with legal requirements. Represents the organization and oversees outside counsel in certain litigation. Keeps informed on legislation and case law developments affecting overall operations of the University or the Litigation legal practice area. Understands that UC is a large, complex organization with many internal and external clients. Carries out UC's organizational philosophy to provide the best possible services in support of its mission: teaching, research and public service. Determines whether a program or activity impedes or advances the University's goals. Develops strategic goals and objectives to achieve accountability and efficient stewardship of University resources (operational, financial, and human), in a manner consistent with System-wide objectives and initiatives. Demonstrates execution of goals and objectives that support the overall success of the strategic objectives of the organization, both locally and System-wide. These goals and objectives will include compliance with applicable regulatory and university requirements. Adheres to University principles of transparency and openness in working with all constituents. Provides an environment of individual growth and career development, recognizing and utilizing skills of others through clear, specific and timely performance feedback; recruits, mentors and retains talented managers and employees; provides effective coaching, delegates effectively and rewards superior performance.
The Managing Counsel:
Assists the Deputy General Counsel in the day-to-day operations of the practice group and the development of its strategic plans and budgets;
Serves as a member of the OGC leadership team;
Provides direct supervision over lawyers working in the Oakland UC Legal office and leads recruitment and retention efforts;
Has significant responsibility in several of the substantive legal areas described in the Key Responsibilities; and
Supports and leads development and implementation of the practice group's efforts to effectively manage use of legal resources, including oversight of outside counsel.
By practicing UC Legal's established Values for Principles of Community, all team members are expected to promote diversity and maintain a collaborative and supportive workplace that is respectful of differences, and committed to fairness and diversity in all interactions, both within and outside the team.
Responsibilities
60% Client Service:
Provide high quality, timely, relevant, and solution-oriented counsel including: research, writing, advice and advocacy on complex litigation matters.
Provide practical advice and alternative solutions to business issues.
Relied upon for high quality, timely, relevant, and solution-oriented counsel including research, writing, advice and advocacy.
Stays informed of legislation and case law developments affecting overall operations of the University or the assigned legal practice areas.
Serves as a trusted strategic partner with University academic departments within the University of California ten campuses, five medical centers, and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, as well as to the Board of Regents, the President, the Chancellors, faculty, business units and other officers of the University, providing practical advice and alternative solutions to all University constituencies.
Counsels and advises senior and executive management in matters of the highest significance to the University. Works with and leads across the University's academic, business, and development enterprises to resolve complex legal issues facing University business units, focusing on both strategic responses to legal inquiries, as well as proactive compliance advice and thought leadership on core risk areas.
Demonstrates and promotes appropriate risk tolerance.
Renders opinions to The Regents and senior management with respect to the legal implications of establishing or changing policy or taking certain courses of action.
Manage litigation through direct legal services and outside counsel. Act as a liaison with outside counsel, and/or represent the University in connection with complex litigation.
May directly negotiate matters on behalf of The Regents.
Demonstrate and promote appropriate risk tolerance.
40% Leadership, Accountability and Governance:
Establishes the strategic goals and objectives for legal service areas under their purview, in support of UC Legal strategic goals.
Develops, initiates, and leads forward-looking strategic practice group initiatives designed to facilitate the University's compliance with its legal obligations and public mission and to contain expenditures on legal services delivered by or through the practice group.
Supports the DGC in managing legal costs, outside counsel budget and cost containment initiatives.
Anticipates and proactively addresses challenges arising from the diverse roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders.
Supervises attorneys within the practice area.
Develops objectives and ensures service according to established priorities.
Drives change initiatives by defining measurable outcomes, consensus-building, energizing others at all levels and ensuring continuing commitment when faced with new initiatives; confronts and works through concerns of various stakeholders.
Inspires and develops creative and innovative approaches to addressing challenges and problems.
Seeks to determine whether programs and activities add value to the work of the University. Fosters an environment of individual growth and career development, recognizing and utilizing skills of others through clear, specific and timely performance feedback; recruits, mentors and retains talented employees; provides clear expectations and effective coaching, delegates effectively and rewards superior performance.
Provides recommendations for salary adjustments.
Demonstrates an active and engaged commitment to diversity. Works to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for diversity of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition, ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, or status as a protected veteran in the University. Ensures equal opportunity in search and recruitment processes by ensuring diverse representation on search committees, supplemental outreach efforts, and adopting best practices in furtherance of equal opportunity.
Promotes equity in advancements by clearly describing review process for staff, encourages participation in career advising, development, or mentoring programs, and adopting best practices in furtherance of advancement opportunities.
Maintains a safe, healthy, and environmentally sound workplace by applying a thorough understanding that safety and environmental issues are essential elements of ensuring the continued success of UC and its employees.
Handles all work flexibly, able to effectively juggle competing priorities and demands in an extremely busy practice.
Required Qualifications
Min 10 years Relevant litigation experience in a law firm or academic setting.
Demonstrated ability to make and communicate hard decisions; demonstrated credibility to win support for those decisions.
Excellent judgment, tact and diplomacy to partner with senior teams to help them achieve their strategic objectives.
Outstanding communication and presentation skills, including the ability to communicate clearly, logically, and persuasively during interactions and utilize active listening skills.
Outstanding interpersonal skills to interact effectively and develop and maintain productive working relationships with an array of diverse interests, individuals, and constituencies.
Outstanding written skills as defined by the ability to compose a variety of concise, informative written materials appropriate to a particular audience.
Exceptional ability to draft accurate, complete and persuasive legal documents, such as pleadings, legal responses, affidavits, position statements and briefs.
Exceptional ability to represent institutional concerns persuasively to internal and external parties.
Proven ability to maintain confidentiality with regard to sensitive issues and information and exercise discretion in dealing with sensitive or potentially sensitive topics.
Demonstrated commitment to the highest ethical standards.
Ability to lead by influence and consensus.
Outstanding customer service skills.
Preferred Qualifications
Previous management or supervisory experience and/or significant project management experience.
Demonstrated experience in change-oriented operational management and people leadership with the capacity to lead and motivate a professional team to meet high client service expectations in an extremely visible organization.
Ability to identify and develop the talents in others.
Demonstrated understanding of highly complex legal and ethical issues in a University setting.
Education: Advanced degree in a related area required
License/Certifications: Must be a member in good standing of the California Bar. (Out-of-state hire would be afforded time to pass the Bar within a reasonable period.)
SPECIAL CONDITIONS
This position has been approved for a hybrid (onsite and remote) work arrangement within California. The person hired will be required to report to work onsite in Oakland, CA on a regular basis.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
Salary: Recommended range: $275,000 - 300,000, commensurate with experience
Benefits: For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit: Benefits of Belonging
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW
UC Legal - Office of the General Counsel (UCL) provides legal services to the university, including representation, advice, research and training. We also provide legal opinions to the Board of Regents, administration, faculty, staff and others acting on the university's behalf. We report jointly to the Board of Regents and the president.
Job Title/Job Code: Managing Counsel 3, (000203)
Salary Grade: 31
HOW TO APPLY
Please be prepared to attach a cover letter and resume with your application.
APPLICATION REVIEW DATE
The first review date for this job isFebruary 23, 2023. The position will be open until filled.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Background Check Process: Successful completion of a background check is required for this critical position. Background check process at UCOP
Smoke Free Work Environment: The University of California, Office of the President, is smoke & tobacco-free as of January 1, 2014. UC Smoke & Tobacco Free Policy
August 2021 Update: The University of California has issued a policy requiring employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID -19 before physically accessing the University location or programs. Upon hire into a UCOP position, you will be provided detailed instructions on how to comply with this policy including access to the COVID vaccination at no cost. New hires to UCOP who work onsite or will come onsite for any activities at a UCOP or other UC location must comply with this policy within 8 weeks after their start date. The policy allows for employees to request approval for an exception or deferral. UC COVID-19 Vaccine Policy
EEO STATEMENT
The University of California, Office of the President, is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. EEO/AA Employer UC Nondiscrimination Policy
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