Legal Career Center

DEPUTY GENERAL COUNSEL, LITIGATION

Location: OaklandFull Time
Job ID: 37047
Job Posting

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UC OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

At the University of California (UC), your contributions make a difference. A world leader producing Nobel and Pulitzer prize recipients with over 150 years of groundbreaking research transforming the world. Choose a career where you can leverage your knowledge, skills and aspirations to inspire and support some of the greatest minds in the world, and those who will follow in their footsteps. Working at the University of California is being part of a unique institution, and a vibrant and diverse community. At the University of California, Office of the President, we propel our mission through impactful work locally, in government centers and systemwide. We are passionate people, serving the greater good.

The University of California, one of the largest and most acclaimed institutions of higher learning in the world, is dedicated to excellence in teaching, research and public service. The University of California Office of the President is the headquarters to the 10 campuses, six academic medical centers and three national laboratories and enrolls premier students from California, the nation and the world. Learn more about the UC Office of the President

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.

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting directly to the General Counsel and Vice President, Legal Affairs (GC), the Deputy General Counsel for Litigation (DGC) position is based in UC Legal's (UCL) central office - the Office of the General Counsel - and is a member of the UC Legal Systemwide Leadership Team. 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. The DGC carries out UC's organizational philosophy to provide the best possible services in support of its mission: teaching, research, and public service.

The DGC has primary management responsibility for the University's litigation portfolio, including litigation covered by the University's captive insurance program, the Fiat Lux Risk and Insurance Company. The DGC oversees a team of attorneys and the work of outside counsel engaged to represent the University. The DGC may also directly represent the University in litigation.

The DGC works collaboratively with the Chief Campus and Laboratory Counsels to manage litigation in a manner that promotes UC's mission, vision, and values. The DGC is responsible and accountable for the stewardship of UCL resources, including expenses associated with outside counsel, and the development of systems and procedures to protect organizational assets and institutional knowledge. They establish critical infrastructure, which enables the legal organization to meet its business priorities. The DGC is also responsible for developing for and reporting on key performance indicators and other metrics related to their practice group.

As a strategic thinker, approachable advisor, and strong relationship builder, the DGC thrives in a challenging environment and is clearly aligned with the University's and UCL's values including a commitment to promoting diversity and maintaining a workplace that is collaborative, supportive, respectful of differences, and committed to fairness and diversity in all interactions, both within and outside of the team.

All team members are expected to actively participate in initiatives to promote diversity, equity, and/or inclusion, whether at UC or in the community.

Responsibilities

40%

Leadership, Collaboration, and Communication

Develops and oversees execution of strategic goals and objectives that support the success of the strategic objectives of the organization and achieve accountability and efficient stewardship of University resources (operational, financial, and human), in a manner consistent with systemwide objectives and initiatives. These goals and objectives include compliance with applicable regulatory and University requirements.

Establishes the mission and strategic goals and objectives for legal service areas under the DGC's purview, in support of UC Legal strategic goals. Drives, tracks, and reports on the progress of those strategic goals. Establishes metrics and benchmarks for tracking and reporting on the progress of the strategic goals.

Collaborates with UC Legal Leadership and UC Legal's Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer in planning long range strategic direction for UC Legal initiatives, programs, services, policy development, communications, and high-level analyses of new program development.

Presents timely work-in-progress updates to the GC on the status of matters within the DGC's purview.

Represents the GC in both internal and external forums, as needed. Follow up with updates to the GC, as appropriate.

Organizes periodic department meetings to ensure clear, consistent communication of goals and expectations.

Establishes and maintains effective performance standards and metrics for direct reports. Assesses staff performance, provides clear, timely, and effective feedback to motivate and direct staff, and manages performance to address any gaps. Maintains an environment of individual growth and career development.

Assesses staffing needs and advocates for changes, when needed; recruits, mentors and retains talented managers and employees; provides effective coaching, delegates effectively and rewards superior performance.

Fosters a positive working and learning environment by maintaining a climate of collaboration, fairness, cooperation, and professionalism. Practices and integrates these principles in all interactions.

Ensures equal opportunity in search and recruitment process by ensuring diverse representation on search committees, supplemental outreach efforts. Promotes equity in advancements and encourages participation in career advising or mentoring programs.

Facilitates collaborative relationships between UC Legal and its clients to support enterprise-wide objectives and to enhance the delivery of service by UC Legal to other divisions and by other divisions to UC Legal.

Performs such other special projects and duties as assigned by the General Counsel.

40%

Litigation and Client Service

Renders opinions to The Regents and senior management with respect to the legal implications of establishing or changing policy.

Develops Litigation strategies to achieve systemwide and client objectives.

Serves as a resource on highly complex legal matters or problems; determines whether a program or activity impedes or advances the University's goals and advises and renders opinions to senior management with respect to the legal implications of establishing or changing policy; works with representatives of the campus on developing and modifying practices and procedures to conform with legal requirements.

Oversees all litigated matters, including litigation managed by attorneys reporting to the other DGCs and Chief Campus Counsels, such as intellectual property, contracts, land use, construction, probate, trusts/estates, health, educational affairs, and employment.

Proactively establishes and maintains effective relationships with key internal

(local and Systemwide) and external constituencies by understanding the diverse needs and agendas of various stakeholder groups, creating and fostering an environment that ensures collegiality and information sharing, while recognizing the need for timely decision making.

Effectively communicates with administrators, students, faculty, and staff.

Ensure that requests are appropriately delegated and tracked and materials and advice provided by UC legal are timely and responsive.

Keeps informed on case law developments affecting the overall operation of the University or areas of legal specialty.

Adheres to University principles of transparency and openness in collaborating with all constituents.

20%

Resource Management and Financial Budget

Participates in annual budget planning, leverages resources, and forecasts operational needs in legal service areas under the DGC's purview.

Collaborates with department IT resources to collect data and analyze reports; includes matter management, knowledge management, eDiscovery, document management, e-billing and other billing management systems. Ensures that team members adopt and implement processes and protocols to implement and maintain the above systems and procedures.

Identifies opportunities for eliminating or reducing overlap and duplication of effort throughout the Division; promotes efficiency and the use of best practices.

Collaborates with UC Legal Leadership and the Chief Campus Counsels to develop protocols to track key risk and performance indicators and other metrics that will enable UC Legal to better anticipate emerging needs for expertise in new areas of law and increased demand for legal services through the UC system. Applies data analytics to extract meaningful and actionable operational information to guide UC Legal leadership decisions.

Identifies and employs benchmarks to assess Division performance against relevant industries and comparator institutions.

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. Drives change initiatives at all levels and across legal specialties. Works through concerns of various stakeholders. Drives change initiatives by defining measurable outcomes, energizing others at all levels, and ensuring continued commitment when faced with new initiatives; confronts and works through concerns of various stakeholders.

Assists the General Counsel in optimizing the personnel and resources required to respond to and anticipate the legal issues.


Required Qualifications

• Minimum of fifteen (15) years of relevant experience in a highly complex organization or law firm setting. Experience should include a minimum of eight years of experience as an attorney in the fields of litigation and risk services (or experience in a related field).
• Previous management or supervisory experience and/or significant project management experience.
• Solid understanding of law firm billing, pricing, and compensation practices. Demonstrable experience with alternative fee arrangement cost modeling.
• Ability to identify and develop the talents in others.
• Demonstrated commitment to integrity; able to make and communicate tough decisions; gain credibility to win support for those decisions.
• Outstanding ability to lead by influence and consensus.
• Judgment, tact, and diplomacy to partner with senior teams to help them achieve their strategic objectives.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills to interact effectively and develop and maintain productive working relationships with an array of diverse interests, individuals, and constituencies.
• Outstanding customer service skills.
• Outstanding verbal and presentation skills targeted to all populations and levels, including the ability to communicate clearly, logically, and persuasively during interactions and utilize active listening skills.
• 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.
• Demonstrated ability to act as a team player, as defined by contributing to the successful outcome of initiatives, accountabilities, and operations of others.
• Proven ability to maintain confidentiality with regard to sensitive issues and information and exercise discretion in dealing with sensitive or potentially sensitive topics.
• Understands that safety and environmental issues are essential elements of ensuring the continued success of UC and its employees. Maintains a safe, healthy, and environmentally sound workplace.
• 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 covered veteran.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous legal experience in UC or in-house legal counsel experience for another academic institution.
• Expert knowledge of the organizational environment of higher education and large research universities to understand client priorities, issues, motivations, and constraints.
• Demonstrated understanding of ethical issues in a university setting.
• Fiscal and human resource management skills and 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.

Education: Must possess a J.D. from an accredited law school.

License/Certifications: A member in good standing of the California State Bar Association.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

This position has been approved for a hybrid (onsite and remote) work arrangement. The person who is hired will be required to report to work in Oakland, CA at least three (3) days per week.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Salary: Commensurate with experience

Benefits: For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit: Benefits of Belonging

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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 is August 1, 2022. 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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To apply, visit https://careerspub.universityofcalifornia.edu/psp/ucop/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_APP_SCHJOB.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=19&JobOpeningId=37047&PostingSeq=1jeid-7bbc47fafcfef048a9642cc55995840a







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