The Assistant General Counsel ("AGC") serves in Pepperdine University's Office of the General Counsel, which provides legal guidance and services to the University. This position is responsible for helping to provide day-to-day legal services to the University.

Duties

• Manage and conduct reviews of contracts, grants, and other sponsored programs.
• Oversee University responses to legal process (e.g., subpoenas) and maintain the University's trademark portfolio.
• Conduct legal research and prepare documents, including opinions, memoranda, briefs, reports, and correspondences. 
• Assist with responsibilities of University regulatory compliance, such as the ADA, FERPA, Title VI, and Title IX, including development and regular revision of University policies (e.g., school catalogs).
• Advise the General Counsel and other senior administrators on matters pertaining to applicable laws, regulations, mandates, and other duties under the law.
• Develop expertise and provide legal guidance, updates, reviews, and recommendations on existing and evolving laws (including statutes and regulations) and legal trends involving all aspects of the University's academic and non-academic operations.
• Communicate and confer, as necessary, with external entities, such as legal venues, agencies, university organizations, and other legal consortia that represent the interests of universities on national legal trends for colleges and universities.
• Assist in the supervision and management of outside counsel.
• Provide interpretations of existing and emerging laws and regulations for liability mitigation and other purposes.
• Represent the University in meetings.
• Prepare presentations, as needed, for University constituents.
• Attend conferences/seminars presented by higher education associations (NACUA, WACO).
• Perform other duties as assigned by the General Counsel.
• Uphold the University's mission through work performed.

The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Skills and Qualifications

Required:

• A thorough understanding of and commitment to the mission and vision of the University.
• Broad, generalist legal experience.
• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in the California bar.
• Knowledge of and experience with the broad spectrum of statutes, regulations, and legal procedures relevant to University operations.
• Exceptional communication skills.
• Superior negotiation skills that demonstrate assurance, creativity, and the ability to adapt and continuously improve the effectiveness of University legal services.
• Proficiency in reviewing and identifying key contract provisions and potential risks and experience working with a variety of contract types (e.g., service agreements, NDAs, vendor contracts, etc.).
• Dependable, reliable, honest, committed, and act with integrity.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality as the Office of the General Counsel has access to the most confidential information.
• Ability to provide mission-oriented counsel.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule when needed (nights, weekends, and so forth).
• Ability to provide well-reasoned legal analysis; demonstrate legal and ethical stature, maturity, competence, and confidence to operate with credibility at the executive level.
• Ability to serve as a trusted advisor and confidante to the General Counsel.

Preferred:

• Exercise excellent communication skills to engage individuals from inside and outside of the organization and must be able to communicate successfully in both arenas.
• Act collegially and have a collaborative mindset; be a good listener, and be patient with process.
• Adept at working in a highly nuanced environment with varied constituencies.
• Ability to exercise strategic thinking and creative problem solving.
• Demonstrate a thorough, thoughtful and decisive approach when handling issues.
• Demonstrate intellectual and conceptual flexibility, with the ability to analyze, interpret, and present complex ideas and concepts in a clear, concise fashion.
• Ability to prioritize University needs and execute on them, while paying attention to detail and exhibiting a strong sense of judgment, compassion, wisdom, and humor.
• Ability to maintain credibility and gain the trust of others by providing incisive and mission-focused counsel.

Qualified individuals should be able to show respect for workplace differences, and have the ability to work effectively with individuals from different backgrounds.

Offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal, education, and employment screening. The University conducts such screenings in compliance with applicable laws and with the objectives of evaluating risk and supporting a safe environment for students, faculty, staff, and guests; safeguarding key University assets including people, property, information, and the University’s reputation; and providing comprehensive job-related information to University leaders to enable them to make prudent hiring decisions. Qualified individuals with criminal histories will be considered for employment in compliance with applicable laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance.

This is a Regular, Exempt, 40 hour per week position.

Expected Pay Range: $100,000 - $140,000 per year

Candidates who have at least 7 years of experience in litigation, regulatory compliance, and corporate governance along with all required and preferred qualifications listed above may be considered for an Associate General Counsel position. The expected pay range for this role is $140,000 - $166,000 per year.

The above pay range reflects what Pepperdine University reasonably expects to pay for this position at time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on relevant factors such as work experience, market conditions, education/training, and skill level. In addition to base pay, Pepperdine offers a robust and highly competitive benefits package.

Pepperdine is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.