General Counsel

The General Counsel serves as the Chief Legal Officer of the university, providing legal advice and strategic guidance to the President, Board of Trustees, senior leadership, and other university stakeholders. This role ensures institutional compliance with applicable laws and regulations, mitigates legal risks, and supports the university’s mission through sound legal counsel. The General Counsel represents the University in legal, regulatory, compliance and insurance matters. The General Counsel maintains the risk management program, renews insurance policies, and supervise the filing and management of claims. The General Counsel reviews or develops contracts, policies and other essential documents.

Essential Functions

Litigation: Represents the University and works with outside Legal Counsel in litigation, administrative proceedings and other legal disputes and provides responses to subpoenas from third parties. The General Counsel will also hire and oversee outside counsel in certain litigation matters where appropriate.

Employment Matters: Research and provide legal advice on labor and employment issues including EEOC, Title VII, Title VI, Title IX, ADA, 504 Rehab Act, Whistleblower and more. Provide advice to Human Resources department on employee-related disputes and situations.

Student Matters: Research and provide Legal advice on student-related matters including housing conduct, accessibility, Title IX, ADA, grade disputes, removal from programs, admissions revocations and more. Provide advice to Dean of Students, Academic Affairs and University Administration on student related disputes and situations.

Board support: The General Counsel will attend meetings of the Board of Trustees, provide training and legal direction to the Trustees and support the Secretary and Treasurer of the Board with Legal-related questions.

University Clinics: Provide legal counsel to all University health clinics including research, policy and procedure development, contract review, regulatory compliance including but not limited to HIPAA, Medicare and Medicaid. Participate as a member of the Clinic Oversight Committee which is charged with the operational, financial and regulatory oversight of the community clinics.

Compliance and Data Security: Provide legal counsel on federal and state compliance, including HIPAA, FERPA, GLBA, the Florida Information Protection Act (FIPA), Title IX, the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and other applicable regulations. Assist with the development of policies and procedures and coordinate external counsel for specialized matters such as GDPR. Review and negotiate data protection terms in contracts, including BAAs/DPAs and data-sharing agreements, and support third-party risk reviews. Serve as a standing member of the Privacy & Security Committee and participate in University AI governance groups as an extension of privacy and security oversight. Assist with privacy and security incidents, in coordination with the CIO and CISO, including investigation, notification, corrective action, and regulator engagement.

Risk Management: Oversee University’s Risk Management Program which consists of:

1. Filing and managing claims to conclusion.

2. Renewing insurance policy applications, continually evaluating policies to determine if meeting the needs of the University and purchasing new policies as needed.

3. Maintaining University inventory for real property, vehicles, golf carts, boats, precious art, property in the open, etc.

4. Activities with Minors Policy Risk assessments.

5. Developing risk management policies and procedures.

6. Supervising Assistant Risk Manager who serves as primary point of contact for claims management, insurance renewal, and for the University’s external and internal risk management partners, risk inspections and new risk prevention programs.

Other Legal: Review, draft, negotiate and approve contracts, MOUs and other legal documents as needed by the University. For the Legal Affairs Department, this includes guidance on agreements such as articulation, affiliation, dual enrollment, grants, gifts, vendors, professional services and rentals. In addition, Legal Affairs will assist in drafting policies and procedures, guidelines, protocols as needed by the University.

Other: Supervise Associate General Counsel, Assistant Risk Manager, Paralegal and other staff as needed. Complete administrative and operational tasks. Perform other tasks for the betterment of the University as appropriate for the General Counsel. As part of a small legal office, all members must strive to be flexible and to be ready to assist the University with any needs/matters that may arise.

Requirements:

Minimum of 8 years of previous work-related experience.

Member in good standing of the Florida Bar.

Doctorate in Law (Juris Doctor) required.

Ability to analyze complex legal concepts and insurance matters.

Strong written and oral communication skills.

This is a hybrid position located at the Miami Shores Campus.

Barry University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment.