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The Universities of Wisconsin are a premier system of public higher education. We educate approximately 161,000 students each year and employ about 35,000 faculty and staff statewide.
Through a constellation of 13 universities statewide, the Universities of Wisconsin are a tremendous academic, cultural, and economic resource for Wisconsin, the nation, and the world.
The Office of General Counsel (OGC) provides comprehensive legal services to the Universities of Wisconsin, including advice on a wide variety of legal matters such as personnel issues, student affairs, public records and open meetings, real estate, risk management, and immigration, among others. OGC also reviews and drafts policies; reviews, drafts, and negotiates contracts; represents UW institutions in administrative hearings; and acts as a liaison with the Wisconsin Department of Justice in litigation filed in court. An emphasis on proactive and preventive law is foremost, and OGC attorneys provide training on legal issues to administrators and staff throughout the UW System.
POSITION SUMMARY
This position is a professional academic staff position under the supervision of the Deputy General Counsel. The position involves rendering oral and written advice on legal matters to officers and employees of the UW System. The position requires the ability to exercise independent judgment and professional discretion in the identification, management, and resolution of legal problems. The position further requires the ability to analyze legal problems, conduct legal research, and make written and oral presentations before various UW System constituents, governmental agencies, and various outside organizations. Qualified individuals will possess the skills to work collegially with a team of attorneys and other professionals.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsibilities include the following key activities:
- Provide legal advice and assistance to UW System officers and employees on the interpretation and implementation of constitutional, statutory, and administrative rule requirements, as requested or assigned by the General Counsel.
- Provide legal representation before federal and state administrative agencies, and internal proceedings, in matters involving discrimination, personnel, and labor issues and advise clients regarding these subject areas.
- Provide legal counsel to faculty and academic staff committees and other internal committees, as assigned by the General Counsel.
- Assist in the investigation and preparation of litigation matters in cooperation with the Attorney General’s office, as assigned by the General Counsel.
- Provide formal and informal educational sessions on legal issues relevant to higher education for a variety of UW System professionals.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
To be considered for this position, a candidate must have:
- Juris Doctorate (JD) from an A.B.A. accredited law school.
- Licensure in good standing or eligibility for licensure to practice law in the State of Wisconsin by date of appointment.
- Superior communication and legal research skills and the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
- Experience with personal computers, including word processing and communication software application programs, and legal research databases.
- Ability to work cooperatively with other System attorneys and university professionals.
- Willingness to travel in-state and out-of-state, as necessary.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Well qualified applicants will also have a substantial amount of experience in a combination of the following:
- Ten years of experience advising higher education institutions or prior legal experience in areas applicable to higher education.
- Familiarity with employment law issues.
- Demonstrated experience in one or more of the following legal practice areas: employment, student affairs, real estate procurement, information technology, public meeting and open records, information technology and security, immigration, bankruptcy, tax, intellectual property.
DIVERSITY STATEMENT
Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for Universities of Wisconsin. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the Universities of Wisconsin community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching and learning, research, scholarship, creative activity, community service, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
Universities of Wisconsin fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background – people who serve the State of Wisconsin and the public good.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Universities of Wisconsin is required to conduct a criminal background and sexual harassment check for the selected finalist prior to employment.
Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e., a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.
WORK LOCATION
The office location is in Van Hise Hall, 1220 Linden Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706. The work schedule will be consistent with the current UW System Administration’s work schedule policy, which may include up to four days per week in-office schedule and one day remote. Any exceptions to this requirement will require to prior approval of the UW System President.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
This is a full-time, academic staff position. Well-qualified candidates can expect a starting annual salary within the range of $126,000 – $142,147 annually commensurate with the candidate’s education, related experience, and qualifications.
Universities of Wisconsin employees receive an excellent benefits package. To learn more about the benefits package, review the Faculty, Academic Staff & Limited Appointees. Please see this link for total compensation information: UW System Health & Retirement Contributions Estimator.
SPECIAL NOTES:
If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request by contacting Lori Fuller, Senior HR Manager/Executive Search Liaison, lfuller@uwsa.edu.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
To ensure full consideration, please submit application materials as soon as possible. Applicant screening will begin immediately and be ongoing through Sunday, April 7, 2024. However, applications may be accepted until the position has been filled.
- Go to the UWSA Applicant Portal to submit your materials online and select the appropriate applicant portal, either External Applicants or Internal Applicants and click on the position title that you want to apply for.
- Follow the onscreen instructions and be sure to include your salary expectations when asked in our applicant tracking. In addition, please be sure to upload the required documents: resume, and cover letter, as PDF files. Failing to include any of these documents may disqualify your application. Your cover letter must specifically address how your education and experience relate to the minimum and preferred qualifications.
- Submit your application.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran, and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellent through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.
Questions may be addressed to: Lori Fuller, Senior HR Manager/Executive Search Liaison, lfuller@uwsa.edu.