The University of Maryland, Baltimore County’s (“UMBC”), Office of the General Counsel (“OGC”) is a fast-paced, high-volume, and intellectually challenging work environment. OGC is committed to providing ethical, practical, and effective legal advice and guidance: to further the University’s mission; to protect and promote the values and interests of the University, including compliance with its obligations; to minimize legal risks and costs; and to address and resolve legal disputes. OGC is organized on the model of a small law firm. Each attorney is both a generalist, capable of handling a wide variety of legal matters, and a specialist, with particular expertise in certain key areas.
This is an exciting opportunity to join OGC and work in a collaborative and collegial environment, where individuals support each other personally and professionally, and draw on the strength of their diversity.
Position Overview:
OGC is seeking an Associate General Counsel to join its office. The Associate General Counsel is a pivotal team member within OGC who will be expected to provide sound, proactive, timely, and responsive legal advice and support, with an emphasis on contract-review support.
Why Work at UMBC?
UMBC is a member of the University System of Maryland (USM). Under the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, UMBC is termed a doctoral university with higher research activity (R1). UMBC is one of a handful of research-intensive and minority-serving institutions in the United States. UMBC is firmly committed to access and is a diverse and welcoming community.
UMBC offers competitive compensation. This role starts at $170,000and has over 4 weeks of vacation for regular full time roles. Tuition remission is also available.
The Associate General Counsel will provide primary contract-review support and advice on a broad range of issues/areas for the University including, but not limited to, technology agreements, art exhibits, strategic partnerships and academic relationships, equipment loans, employment, faculty issues, grants, data privacy and security, intellectual property, and athletic coaching and competition agreements. The Associate General Counsel will be the primary OGC point of contact for drafting, reviewing, and negotiating procurement contracts.
The Associate General Counsel will serve as the University’s Campus Classification Officer for residency classification tuition purposes and the University’s Public Information Act contact.
Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
· Comprehensively draft, review, negotiate and approve for legal sufficiency contractual documents, including, but not limited to, the following matters: Procurements, CADVC Exhibits, Student Internship Placements, Scholar/Researcher Academic Visitors, Inter-institutional Academic Relationships, University Affiliations, Global Engagements, Articulation Agreements, Equipment Loans, NDAs, Event & Conference Service contracts, Data Use Agreements, Athletics employment agreements and competition agreements, Work-Made-for-Hire, Sponsored Program Agreements (as needed), and Waivers and Consent Forms.
· Analyze contract provisions and business conditions, provide clear communications regarding the content and implications of the contract terms to internal clients, and draft or revise agreements as necessary in support of the University’s overall mission and based on the legal issues presented.
· Collaborate with the University’s Department of Procurement and Strategic Sourcing and with other campus partners to provide expert guidance and support on contract strategies for purchasing a comprehensive array of goods and services necessary for the education and research programs of the University.
· Develop contract management strategies, preferred contract language, draft templates, negotiation guidelines, and other contract policy and standard operating procedures.
· Establish and improve communication channels with departments, research, services, and procurement units to achieve continuity and efficiency in the execution of agreements/contracts.
· Serve as the University’s Campus Classification Officer hearing appeals and interpreting USM Policy on Student Classification for Admission and Tuition Purposes and USM Nonresident Tuition Differential Exemption.
· Serve as the University’s Public Information Act contact and review University record disclosures under MPIA, subpoenas and voluntary disclosure consents, FERPA exceptions and consent, and DUAs.
· Serve on University committees and workgroups on behalf of OGC.
· Manage the University’s Restriction List issuing restriction letters to non-affiliates and reviewing restriction letters of affiliates.
· Provide legal advice and counsel to campus partners on a range of legal issues, including but not limited to, enrollment management, academic affairs, student affairs, athletics, student conduct, and faculty affairs.
· Advise the Academic Conduct Committee and conduct legal sufficiency review of academic misconduct matters.
· Assist in developing and presenting a variety of preventive and proactive training programs for the University.
· Responsible for other related duties as assigned and in areas as needed.
Required Minimum Qualifications:
J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school
State of Maryland law license, in good standing
7+ years of experience practicing as an attorney
Excellent verbal and written communication, presentation, negotiation, and problem-solving skills
Proactive, motivated, and self-starter with strong organizational and time management skills
Able to handle multiple priorities and projects with demanding timeframes; adaptable and able to pivot quickly
Demonstrate a willingness to handle a wide variety of legal issues and learn new and developing areas of law that may impact the University
Ability to work collaboratively with OGC colleagues, campus stakeholders, and external counsel to create a high-quality, results-driven, team-oriented environment
5+ years of legal contract review experience, preferably in-house at a state academic institution, or a mix of in-house, law firm, government agency, or corporation
3+ years of practicing law at an institution of higher education
1+ years of residency classification experience
1+ years of Public Information Act response experience
Background Screening Statement:
A background check will be required.
Special Instructions to Applicants:
Upload a cover letter, resume, and three (3) professional references.
Closing Date:
For best consideration, apply by April 28, 2023 (Position will remain open until filled)
Tuition remission at UMBC for eligible dependents after two years of FT employment
Additional Benefits:
Life and disability insurance
Retirement plans (including the choice of joining the pension plan)
Professional development opportunities
Wellness opportunities
& Much more
Salary:
Salary starts at $170,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Hours:
Full-time
Type:
Regular
FLSA Status:
Exempt
Equal Opportunity Statement:
UMBC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Applications from women, minority group members, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
If you require a reasonable accommodation for a disability for any part of the employment process, please contact the Human Resources Department at 410-455-2337 or MD TTY Relay Service 1-800-735-2258 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Work Authorization
As required by the 1986 Immigration Act, be prepared to present acceptable documentation upon hire showing your identity and that you are a U.S. citizen or an alien who is authorized to work.
UMBC is a dynamic public research university integrating teaching, research and service to benefit the citizens of Maryland. As an Honors University, the campus offers academically talented students a strong undergraduate liberal arts foundation that prepares them for graduate and professional study, entry into the workforce, and community service and leadership. UMBC emphasizes science, engineering, information technology, human services and public policy at the graduate level. UMBC contributes to the economic development of the State and the region through entrepreneurial initiatives, workforce training, K-16 partnerships, and technology commercialization in collaboration with public agencies and the corporate community. UMBC is dedicated to cultural and ethnic diversity, social responsibility and lifelong learning.
