Job Description:

Job Summary:

Reporting directly to the President and serving as a strategic partner to and member of the Presidentâ™s executive team, the General Counsel (GC) assists in supporting the highest ambitions of the Universityâ™s teaching and learning, research, and engagement goals and has overall responsibility for the vision, leadership and execution of the universityâ™s legal strategy. Overseeing all of the Universityâ™s legal affairs, the General Counsel directs its Office of Legal Counsel comprised of eleven attorneys. The General Counsel brings expertise and strategy to matters of great importance to the President, Trustees, and University leadership. The University has a wide array of legal issues that require creative and proactive legal guidance. As a key strategic adviser to the President, the GC understands and advances innovative and entrepreneurial ideas, serving as a partner in creativity with the Universityâ™s principles and values at the core of decision-making. Enabling partnerships of all kinds is an essential goal of the President and the General Counsel will lead relevant parties on campus to enable policies and practices that position the University as a partner of choice. In an increasingly complicated legal landscape in higher education, the General Counsel keeps abreast of trends and decisions so that the University may serve the highest ambitions of our faculty and students into the future. The General Counsel advises about risks and trade-offs to support policies and decision-making.

Responsibilities:

• Advise the President, University Trustees, and other senior administrators and academic leaders on legal issues.

• Responsible for an array of in-house legal services, including but not limited to judicial and administrative litigation, corporate partnerships, federally funded research, conflicts of interest, government investigations, regulatory and compliance, and intellectual property issues.

• Generate plans to achieve University goals in ways that simplify processes and creates sustainable solutions.

• Manage contract and legal matters involving the Universityâ™s contract operations for two Department of Energy laboratories, Argonne National Laboratory and Fermilab.

• Advise the Universityâ™s international affiliates on global legal affairs.

• Coordinate and inform the development of University policies with key business leaders.

• Maintain relationships and manage all outside counsel.

• Oversee the finances and budget for legal matters.

• Working closely with the Office of the Secretary, directly support pertinent Board of Trustee committees and related governance matters.

• Identify potential legal issues and developing risk mitigation strategies.

Competencies: 

• Ability to build strong relationships internally and externally, communicate effectively to non lawyers, and demonstrate a consultative demeanor to build rapport and establish credibility.

• Ability to inspire trust and confidence, serving as a key resource to the Universityâ™s trustees, leadership team, faculty, staff, students, and external partners.

• Superb analytical and communication skills, bringing the ability to examine challenges creatively and propose innovative and effective solutions.

• Ability to adapt to changing circumstances and an evolving role.

• Brings and inspires an innovative mindset.

• Ability to operate at a high level of institutional goals while embracing the level of detail and nuance inherently a part of complex legal matters.

• Ability to be resilient and strategic in the context of constantly changing external circumstances and evolving opportunities. 

• Creative and collaborative team member who is motivated by shared success.

• Appreciation for UChicagoâ™s distinct culture, core values, and commitment to fostering an environment that champions free and open discourse, diversity and inclusion, and supporting our community in Chicago and beyond.

Education, Experience, or Certifications:

Education:

• J.D. or other advanced degree required.

Experience:

• Extensive legal expertise and senior leadership experience required.

• Significant experience leading legal matters and functions within a large, complex, research-based enterprise required.

• A demonstrated understanding and familiarity with government contracts and government relations required.

• Record of accomplishment and demonstrated success in legal outcomes required.

• Proven track-record of success in serving as a strategic advisor and thought partner to executive and senior leadership, ideally including to the President/CEO and a governing board preferred.

• Proven track-record of managing complex budgets, projects and achieving financial goals preferred.

• Experience working with a range of stakeholders across academia, business, government, and education preferred.

• Experience attracting, developing, motivating, and retaining top legal talent at all levels required.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Must be licensed to practice law in Illinois or in at least one United States jurisdiction, and will be required to seek admission to the Illinois Bar and maintain good standing.

Required Documents:

• Resume/CV

• Cover Letter

• Three Professional References

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via the Applicant Inquiry Form.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.

About University of Chicago (UC)

One of the world's premier academic and research institutions, the University of Chicago has driven new ways of thinking since our 1890 founding. Today, UChicago is an intellectual destination that draws inspired scholars to our Hyde Park and international campuses, keeping UChicago at the nexus of ideas that challenge and change the world.

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