Vice President for Legal Affairs and General Counsel

Job Summary 

Towson University (TU), the largest university in the Baltimore area and the second-largest university in the University System of Maryland, is accepting applications for the Vice President (VP) for Legal Affairs and General Counsel. Serving as the chief legal advisor to the President, the VP is an integral part of the senior leadership team. Through effective leadership and communication, the VP will provide direction and legal advice on complex projects with University-wide impact. 

As the chief legal officer for the University, the incumbent will collaborate with members of the President’s Cabinet in advancing TU’s strategic plan and providing legal counsel and advice on a wide variety of issues.
The incumbent will lead the Office of the General Counsel (OGC), overseeing a fast-paced, high-volume office that provides guidance on a wide range of legal issues that requires an innovative and critical approach. The OGC currently consists of two Senior Associate General Counsels, the Chief Compliance and Risk Officer, one paralegal, and an Executive Administrative Assistant that work collaboratively to provide advice, manage cases and establish, implement, and communicate policies, systems, and procedures that support the needs of the University.

The ideal candidate for the Vice President will be an experienced lawyer and strategic leader that embraces TU’s mission and culture, possesses senior administrative experience, and demonstrated exemplary communication and interpersonal skills.  Critical to the success of this position is the ability to proactively identify and manage the various challenges facing institutions of higher education.

Responsibilities and Duties

The Vice President for Legal Affairs and General Counsel will serve on the President’s Cabinet and advance the University’s mission and functions while advising on the legal implications of University policies, initiatives, strategies and decisions.

The VP will actively participate in the creation, development, and achievement of institutional strategy and policy, and serve as an advocate for improvements in policies, laws, and regulations to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the management of a public institution. As an institutional leader, the VP will lead and manage the OGC.

This position supports TU by assessing the merit of legal claims for the purpose of defense, compromise, and settlement, managing the process for review of University contracts and business relationships, and monitoring trends in higher education, legislative, regulatory, and associated legal matters.

The VP will work proactively to develop preventative legal strategies and institutional policy and compliance programs to help minimize litigation, third party disputes, and other potential project development and implementation issues. This includes working closely with legal resources at both the USM and the State of Maryland Office of Attorney General.

Qualifications and Skills

This position requires a(n)

• Juris Doctorate from an ABA accredited institution; 
• Eight (8) years of legal experience, with a significant portion including oversight and management of investigations, audits, and legal guidance;
• Current and active Maryland Bar Admission license or ability to become licensed within 12 months of employment
• Significant experience overseeing, coordinating, and managing the legal affairs in a University, Government, non-profit, or corporate setting, to include providing legal advice/services to a wide range of stakeholders (both internal and external) with varying interests;
• Prior experience leading, supervising and directing the work of other attorneys and support staff;
• Exemplary personal and professional integrity and the highest of ethical standards;
• Ability to strategically and creatively meet the unique and dynamic legal needs of the campus to facilitate change and build strong relationships;
• Thorough understanding of the legal issues facing a public sector university, knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations applicable to higher education, and the ability to recognize issues of institutional importance;
• Demonstrated proficiency in applying best practices to academic legal issues and affairs with diligence, integrity and successful outcomes;
• Demonstrated experience and success with handling multiple priorities and tasks;
• Demonstrated commitment and success promoting and enhancing workforce diversity;
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a broad range of internal and external constituents representing a wide array of interpersonal and communication styles; 

Preferences include:

•  Legal experience within the University System of Maryland and/or State of Maryland service

To apply: https://towson.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=24000060

Salary and Benefits 

Competitive salary and full University benefits that include 22 days of paid annual leave, up to 16 paid holidays, paid personal and sick leave days; excellent health, life, and retirement plans; and tuition remission. To learn more about our benefits, please click here. TU also offers a variety of great perks and discounts, which can be found here.

A review of applications will begin on March 25, 2024. Applications should include a cover letter, resume, and four professional references. References will not be contacted until an applicant reaches the finalist stage of the selection process.

The safety of our students, faculty, staff, and neighbors has been our top priority and the focus of every one of our decisions since the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the University System of Maryland (USM) has strongly encouraged full COVID vaccination and up-to-date booster shots (when eligible) for all faculty, staff, and students at all schools in the USM as both a reasonable and necessary means of protecting our health and safety.