Oberlin College seeks its first General Counsel and Secretary to play a key advisory and leadership role with the Board of Trustees, the President, Faculty and Staff. The successful candidate will report to the President and will be a member of the senior staff team.

The General Counsel and Secretary is the chief legal officer of the College and responsible for managing the College’s legal affairs and overseeing legal services to the College. The General Counsel will monitor and provide advice on legal trends, new or proposed legislation, and administrative rules that may affect College operations or policies. As Secretary, the General Counsel will keep the records, reports, documents, and correspondence of the Corporation and will be the custodian of the seal of the Corporation.

RESPONSIBILITIES
General Counsel and Institutional Governance:

• Serve as primary legal advisor to the Board, President and senior staff on litigation, regulatory and contractual matters
• Bring legal issues and concerns to the attention of the administration
• Manage legal matters and the retention and engagement of outside legal counsel and experts
• Provide counsel and advice concerning compliance with federal and state regulations affecting institutions of higher education
• Serve as liaison to the Board of Trustees and its committees
• Oversee organization of Board of Trustees meetings and Board committee meetings; develop schedule, solicit agenda items and coordinate inputs with the Board Chair and President, advising as appropriate; work closely with senior staff, the Board Chair, and committee chairs on development of background materials, agendas and resolutions for Board and committee meetings
• Advise and brief the President and Board Chair on Board of Trustees matters and governance policy and practice including potential or apparent conflicts of interest
• Serve as informational resource and maintain confidential records for the Board of Trustees
• Assure that College elections are conducted in accordance with appropriate regulations and by-laws of the College
• Oversee drafting of meeting minutes for the Board of Trustees, Board committees and key College committees

REQUIREMENTS

• J.D. and membership in the Ohio State Bar or eligible for admissions to the Ohio State Bar
• At least ten years of progressively responsible legal experience working in higher education or litigating or counseling on higher education issues or the equivalent
• Highly developed and demonstrated initiative, judgment, diplomacy, and confidentiality
• Ability to appreciate and respect communication and collaboration within a diverse community
• Highly desirable: experience working with governing boards who are responsible for fiscal management

ATTRIBUTES

• Highest standards of ethics and integrity
• Ability and willingness to be a persuasive advocate for and to show commitment to Oberlin's core values, especially those of diversity and social equity, and to express them as appropriate in the General Counsel’s professional life in the College
• Flexibility and ability to handle competing priorities
• Capacity to build relationships, inspire confidence and enjoy interaction with a wide range of people