130134 ATTORNEY V - General Counsel

Job Purpose

Serves as general legal counsel for the College and related entities by providing legal advice and guidance to the President, Board, and other executive cabinet members of the College - regarding legal matters and risk management. Provides advice in all aspects of general corporate and employment matters, FOIA, contractual matters, real estate and construction matters, and student matters. Responsible for providing effective and efficient legal representation, including successful evaluation and defense of claims brought against the College. Helps ensure College operations are consistent with local, state, and federal laws and regulations and best practices, and manages the Colleges risk of exposure to potential liability.

Job Functions

General Counsel

• Provides legal advice and counsel to the President, Board, and executive cabinet members of the College.
• Represents the College before courts, administrative, and governmental entities, engages, supervises, and directs external counsel as necessary.
• Evaluates the merits of court cases filed against or on behalf of the College, works with the President, Board, and executive cabinet members to conduct a strategic defense, and approves settlements of disputes where warranted.
• Attends mediations and other legal engagements.
• Coordinates and prepares responses to state, federal, and other inquiries.
• Drafts legal correspondence as necessary for the College.
• Remains apprised of ongoing developments in legal and risk management matters.
• Conducts legal seminars and training on varied topics as needed.

Student & Employment Relations

• Provides legal and best practices advice regarding labor and employment issues and employee relations matters, including performance and disciplinary issues, ensuring lawful employment practices and adherence to EEO, Affirmative Action policies, and state Human Resource Regulations.
• Provides legal advice on all general student-related issues.

Risk Management & Contractual Matters

• Provides legal and best practices advice on all general contractual, real estate, leases, property management, insurance, construction, procurement, federal funds, and grants, and other risk management matters.
• Conducts regular legal and audit briefing with the President and executive cabinet members of the College.
• Analyzes issues relating to risk management and personnel issues.
• Evaluates compliance with federal and state laws and regulations, South Carolina Technical and Comprehensive SBTCE, and Greenville Technical College (GTC) policies and procedures, and contractual requirements.
• Recommends to managers and administration appropriate financial controls, policies, and procedures, and insurance coverage to mitigate risks.

Policies & Procedures

• Evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of the Colleges policies, procedures, practices, and controls.
• Develops, reviews, and revises as necessary the Colleges policies and procedures.
• Prepares and maintains specialized, complex, and confidential reports.

Title IX & Ethics

• Serves as the Title IX decision maker at Title IX hearings and provides legal advice to the Title IX Coordinator.
• Responds to investigations by state and federal agencies, including but not limited to the SC Human Affairs Commission, the Equal Employment Office, and the Office of Civil Rights.

Subpoenas & FIOA Requests

• Serves as the key point of contact for FOIA requests.
• Directs and manages FOIA requests and directs departments in securing information in response to FOIA requests.
• Receives and reviews, disseminates all documents in compliance with local, state, and federal public information laws.
• Reviews and approves all responses to subpoenas and FOIA requests.

Other Duties as Assigned

Reporting to the President of the College in close coordination with the Chief of Staff to the President, works independently with minimal supervision. Able to handle multiple projects. Must maintain confidentiality. Individual must have strong collaboration, diplomacy, and leadership skills. Must be able to work closely with the executive cabinet members and Board as needed. Fast-paced work environment with extended hours as necessary. Some overnight travel may be required.