Job Details

The Associate or Senior Campus Counsel is a member of the State University of New York's (SUNY) Office of General Counsel (OGC) assigned to OGC's Buffalo regional office at the University at Buffalo (UB). Under the leadership of the Senior Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs and General Counsel, OGC provides legal services and support to the SUNY Board of Trustees, the Chancellor and senior officers at SUNY System Administration, and the presidents and administrators of SUNY's 29 state-operated campuses. OGC consists of more than 70 higher education attorneys, paralegals, and support staff at System Administration and in campus-based regional offices throughout the State.

The position provides legal advice and support to the University on litigation, labor and employment matters, administrative proceedings, investigations, related campus matters, and occasionally student matters. As a member of OGC's statewide legal team, the Associate or Senior Campus Counsel exercises significant independent judgment and works collaboratively with attorneys and staff at System Administration and OGC's other campus-based regional offices to coordinate the consistent delivery of legal services across SUNY. The attorney participates in OGC's Litigation & Labor Practice Group and other OGC meetings, trainings, and initiatives and may provide legal support on matters outside the attorney's primary portfolio as needed. OGC's practice spans public procurement, governance and ethics, health care, capital construction, public finance, labor and employment, litigation oversight, student affairs, real estate, research, regulatory compliance, and other areas affecting the University.

The position coordinates, as appropriate, legal services with separate counsel representing key university-related entities, including the University at Buffalo Foundation, the SUNY Research Foundation, UBMD and other affiliated or auxiliary organizations, and works with OGC colleagues and appropriate State agencies when matters require specialized, system-wide, or external review. The position reports to UB's Chief Campus Counsel.

Primary Responsibilities:

Provide legal advice and guidance on labor and employment matters, employee discipline, grievances, workplace investigations, litigation, administrative proceedings, and other complex or emerging legal issues affecting the University. Support the campus-side management of litigation and disputes and, as appropriate, advise on or handle labor arbitrations, grievances, investigations, and administrative proceedings, including matters before the New York State Division of Human Rights, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Office for Civil Rights, and other governmental or regulatory bodies.

Draft and review legal analyses, position statements, correspondence, administrative submissions, settlement recommendations, and in coordination with counsel of record where appropriate, litigation papers.

Evaluate claims and potential resolutions, and advise University leadership regarding litigation, employment, labor, and dispute resolution risks and options, and support litigation and settlement strategy in coordination with the New York State Office of the Attorney General or other authorized counsel as appropriate.

Coordinate campus preservation, document collection, review, production, and e-discovery efforts, and assist with preparing University witnesses for depositions, arbitrations, administrative proceedings, and trials in coordination with counsel of record as appropriate.

Government and external counsel relationships

Work collaboratively with University administrators, faculty, staff, and subject-matter experts to gather facts, evaluate legal and institutional risks, and develop practical and effective responses.

Serve as a primary campus liaison with the New York State Office of the Attorney General, which generally handles litigation on behalf of the State, and coordinate as appropriate with OGC colleagues, authorized outside counsel, governmental agencies, and counsel for affiliated entities.

Additional Responsibilities

Provide timely, practical, and strategic legal advice to University leadership and campus offices on certain employment decisions, employee discipline, workplace investigations, and related operational matters.

Research and analyze statutes, regulations, case law, University policies, SUNY requirements, and other legal authorities, and translate complex legal concepts and risks into clear, practical recommendations for non-legal professionals. Monitor significant legal developments affecting the University, advise appropriate officials regarding potential impacts and recommended actions, and develop and deliver legal and compliance training as appropriate.

Collaborate with attorneys and staff within the Office of General Counsel and maintain effective working relationships with University leadership, campus offices, governmental agencies, outside counsel, affiliated entities, and other partners. Exercise sound professional judgment and maintain strict confidentiality in handling sensitive legal matters. Contribute to special projects and other legal matters as assigned by the UB Chief Campus Counsel or SUNY General Counsel.

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The University at Buffalo is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and welcomes all to apply including veterans and individuals with a disability.