University Legal Counsel

at  University of WisconsinMadison

JOB SUMMARY:

The UW-Madison Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) is comprised of 15 in-house attorneys who provide legal advice and representation on the wide range of complex and highly specialized legal issues affecting the research-intensive and flagship campus of the Universities of Wisconsin. The Senior University Legal Counsel (Attorney III), University Legal Counsel (Attorney II), or Associate University Legal Counsel (Attorney I) position is a professional, academic staff position in OLA. The duties of the position include rendering oral and written advice, advising various university committees, and participating in training and preventive law presentations on a broad array of complex and novel legal subjects for UW-Madison administrators, faculty, and staff.
Working in collaboration with other attorneys in the practice area, this position will primarily be responsible for advice and counsel related to the following areas:
Employment law: Advise on university staff, academic staff, and faculty policies/procedures, state and federal employment and labor laws; manage phases of litigation while representing the interests of UW-Madison before administrative bodies such as the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission, the Equal Rights Division and the federal government’s Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Office for Civil Rights; serve as liaison with the Assistant Attorneys General in the Department of Justice in court litigation.
Student and Academic Affairs: Advise on the application and development of policies and procedures related to student issues including, but not limited to, academic and non-academic misconduct; admissions; disability and religious accommodations; discrimination issues; diversity; education records and privacy (FERPA); student governance and segregated student fees; Registered Student Organizations (RSOs); and residency appeals. Attorneys work closely with administrators responsible for these programs and policies, and advise committees in proceedings related thereto. Attorneys may represent the interests of UW-Madison before the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, or serve as a liaison with Assistant Attorneys General in the Wisconsin Department of Justice in court litigation.

EDUCATION:

Required
Terminal Degree
Juris Doctor (JD) from an A.B.A. accredited law school

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

3+ years professional experience practicing law.

• Interest in and ability to develop expertise in principal practice areas and other higher education

legal issues relevant to mission of a public research institution.

• Commitment to joining employment and student affairs practices.
• Strong legal research skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including demonstrated ability to effectively

convey complex topics to clients.

• Demonstrated ability to work in a collegial and professional manner with peers/clients.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully manage multiple priorities and objectives.

Attorney I (Inst) (CP021)
Attorney II (Inst) (CP022)
Attorney III (Inst) (CP059)