The General Counsel serves as the chief legal officer for the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, providing comprehensive legal services to the agency. Reporting to the Chancellor and the Board of Regents, the General Counsel ensures legal compliance, mitigates risks, and advises on regulatory and policy matters affecting the State Regents and the state system of higher education. The position also coordinates outside legal services to the agency, when necessary, and supervises staff within the Office of General Counsel.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Serve as a member of the Chancellor’s senior leadership team, providing high-quality legal counsel to the Chancellor, State Regents, and agency staff on all matters affecting the agency and the state system of higher education.
• Coordinate the agency’s legal compliance with applicable federal and state laws, regulations, and policies.
• Provide legal guidance to Regents and agency staff on Oklahoma Ethics Commission rules, employment law, the Oklahoma Open Records Act, the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act, and other regulatory and compliance matters affecting the agency and the state system of higher education.
• Coordinate regular reviews and updates of agency policies to ensure alignment with current laws, regulations, and best practices.
• Represent the agency in legal proceedings, negotiations, and interactions with external entities as required.
• Coordinate and manage outside legal services when external counsel is necessary.
• Coordinate the development and delivery of legal education and training programs for college and university administrators, including a bi-annual Legal Issues in Higher Education conference.
• Monitor and analyze emerging legal and regulatory issues affecting the agency and the state system of higher education and provide proactive guidance to mitigate risks.
• Participate in national higher education law organizations and policy discussions, as appropriate.
• Supervise and manage staff in the Office of General Counsel, including recommendations on hiring, performance management, and professional development.
• Develop and manage the annual budget for the Office of General Counsel.
• Other similar duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications
Juris doctorate from an accredited law school. Active license to practice law in the State of Oklahoma and in good standing with the Oklahoma Bar Association. Minimum of five (5) years of relevant legal experience, including experience in state government, administrative law, higher education law, or public sector legal practice. Strong research, writing and oral communication skills. Successful experience in the supervision/ management of legal services. Ability to interact professionally with staff in all operating divisions of the State Regents, as well as with external parties, state system institutions, and governmental officials is required. Ability to travel as needed and maintain a valid Oklahoma license. Must be willing to provide a cellular telephone for work-related activities.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience advising or representing higher education institutions or boards. Familiarity with federal and state higher education policies, laws, and regulations.
Supervision
The employee performs work under the supervision of the Chancellor and the Board of Regents.
Work Hours Agency offices are open to the public from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. Monday through Friday. These are the normal office hours for Agency employees. Physical Demands
Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time. Exhibit manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination to operate a computer, keyboard, photocopier, telephone, calculator and other office equipment. Ability to see and read a computer screen and printed material with or without vision aids. Ability to hear and understand speech at normal levels, with or without aids. Ability to communicate clearly. Physical ability to lift up to 25 pounds, to bend, stoop, climb stairs, walk and reach. Must use the proper manual handling equipment including but not limited to dollies, carts and lift team members. Duties are normally performed in an office environment with a moderate noise level.
Disclaimer
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified

• Serve as a member of the Chancellor’s senior leadership team, providing high-quality legal counsel to the Chancellor, State Regents, and agency staff on all matters affecting the agency and the state system of higher education.
• Coordinate the agency’s legal compliance with applicable federal and state laws, regulations, and policies.
• Provide legal guidance to Regents and agency staff on Oklahoma Ethics Commission rules, employment law, the Oklahoma Open Records Act, the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act, and other regulatory and compliance matters affecting the agency and the state system of higher education.
• Coordinate regular reviews and updates of agency policies to ensure alignment with current laws, regulations, and best practices.
• Represent the agency in legal proceedings, negotiations, and interactions with external entities as required.
• Coordinate and manage outside legal services when external counsel is necessary.
• Coordinate the development and delivery of legal education and training programs for college and university administrators, including a bi-annual Legal Issues in Higher Education conference.
• Monitor and analyze emerging legal and regulatory issues affecting the agency and the state system of higher education and provide proactive guidance to mitigate risks.
• Participate in national higher education law organizations and policy discussions, as appropriate.
• Supervise and manage staff in the Office of General Counsel, including recommendations on hiring, performance management, and professional development.
• Develop and manage the annual budget for the Office of General Counsel.
• Other similar duties as assigned