The University of Nebraska System, in partnership with Korn Ferry, invites nominations and expressions of interest for the position of Vice President and General Counsel.
The University of Nebraska is the state’s only public research university, with more than 49,000 students and 16,000 employees. Comprised of four campuses, the universities included in the system are an R1 flagship land-grant university, the University of Nebraska?Lincoln; an academic medical center, the University of Nebraska Medical Center; a metropolitan university, the University of Nebraska at Omaha; and a regional undergraduate university, the University of Nebraska at Kearney. From metropolitan to rural, land grant to academic medicine—each University of Nebraska campus has unique strengths. These strengths create a breadth of expertise that is unmatched.
The Office of the General Counsel supports the education, research and extension missions of the University of Nebraska by providing legal advice to foster sound decision-making in all areas of operation, instruction, research and administration. Its function is to provide, manage and coordinate a full range of quality legal services—including legal counsel and representation, litigation and legal risk management, contract drafting and review, and compliance oversight—and other services and counsel to the University, its administrators and employees at all campuses and University affiliated entities. The goal of the Office of the General Counsel is to provide counsel to minimize legal risk and costs, reduce litigation exposure, and ensure legal compliance—and to do so efficiently, expeditiously, reliably and professionally.
Reporting to the President, the General Counsel will serve as the Chief Legal Officer for the University of Nebraska System and will provide comprehensive legal advice and counsel to the University's leadership, including the President, Board of Regents, and senior leadership. They will lead a legal team responsible for managing all University legal matters, such as governance, employment issues, real estate transactions, contract negotiations, administrative matters, risk management, litigation and appeals, intellectual property and technology transfer, athletics, health sciences, University policies, rules, regulations, and compliance with local, state, and federal laws. Beyond legal management, the General Counsel will actively participate in strategic decision-making to align legal strategies with the University's goals and mission.
The ideal candidate will be an accomplished attorney and visionary leader; hold a Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school; be eligible for admission to the Nebraska State Bar; have at least ten years of active law practice, preferably in higher education or government sectors; and have a proven track record of managing legals teams that support multifaceted operations, including athletics, healthcare systems, global partnerships, research programs, and multi-billion dollars budgets.
Korn Ferry is assisting the University of Nebraska with this important recruitment. Applications should include a detailed curriculum vitae and a letter of interest. To ensure full consideration, inquiries, nominations, and applications should be submitted electronically, in confidence, by June 4th to NebraskaGC@kornferry.com
The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment.
The University of Nebraska is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, or protected veteran status.
