General Counsel

Middle Georgia State University (MGA), a multi-campus, baccalaureate and graduate degree granting public institution, is the most affordable public state university in Georgia. MGA has five campuses-Macon, Cochran, Dublin, Eastman, and Warner Robins, all located in central Georgia-and global outreach through its fully-online campus. Its enrollment of 8,400 students is largely comprised of students from most of Georgia's 159 counties. The University has six academic schools, including Georgia's flagship aviation program, that support its mission to educate and graduate inspired, lifelong learners whose scholarship and careers enhance the state.

This position reporting to the Chief Planning Officer/Vice President for Institutional Strategy serves as in-house legal counsel to Middle Georgia State University with dotted line reporting to the President. The General Counsel will provide expertise in matters of university policy, litigation, intellectual property, contract review, governance, and compliance. This position also serves as a member of the President's Cabinet.

Provides Legal Assistance to the Institution (50%) -
Liaises with the Office of Legal Affairs at the University System of Georgia (USG) and Office of the Georgia Attorney General (AG) as needed; reviews of institutional agreements (including academic, procurement, and real estate contracts and agreements); manages and provides guidance on institutional grievances, complaints to regulatory agencies and formal litigation; manages trademarks and copyrights; manages development of institutional policies and procedures, and provides guidance on local, state and federal laws.

Provides Advice and Assistance Related to Compliance with State and Federal Laws, Rules, and Regulations and USG Policies (40%) -
Serves as the institution's Open Records Officer and Records Management Officer.
Reviews changes to USG policy and suggests appropriate updates to MGA policy accordingly.
Chairs the university's Intellectual Property Committee, co-chairs the Functional Data Governance Committee (FDGC), and serves on various other working groups related to compliance and policy development including but not limited to the Ethics Hotline Triage Committee, the Clery Coordinating Committee, the Cybersecurity Governance Committee, the Threat Assessment Team, the Athletic Advisory Committee, and the Gender Equity Working Group.
Coordinates with Human Resources, Risk Management, University Police, Student Affairs and Academic Affairs on compliance.
Supervises the Executive Director of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Coordinator and ensures compliance to federal laws regarding Title IX.
Supervises the MGA Compliance Coordinator who ensures compliance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Security Act, the USG Programs Serving Minors initiative, and manages open records requests under the Georgia Open Records Act.
Provides and delivers training to faculty, staff, and students related to policies and legal or regulatory requirements for the institution.

Performs Various Other Duties as Needed (10%) -
Researches nationwide higher education best practices, including those identified by the National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA) and the USG, and makes recommendations to Cabinet members on reduction of legal risk through potential improvements to programs and operations.
Serves as a Campus Security Authority (CSA) as defined by the Jeanne Clery Act.
Performs related duties as assigned.

Educational Requirements
Juris Doctorate from an ABA accredited law school.

Other Required Qualifications
Licensed and in good standing as a member of the Georgia Bar.

Required Experience
Five years of experience as a practicing attorney in a sophisticated environment such as a law firm, government agency, university, or non-profit or a business corporation.

Preferred Experience
Experience in litigation management and experience as university counsel and/or higher education preferred.

Knowledge of higher education laws and regulations, general processes, procedures, and internal and external constituencies.
Knowledge of the laws of the state of Georgia.
Demonstrated skill in excellent oral and written communication.
Strong legal research and writing skills.
Knowledge of motivational factors affecting individual and group behavior.
Knowledge of program development, design, implementation and assessment.
Skill in interacting with interdisciplinary teams for the purpose of needs assessment, program development, and program implementation.
Knowledge of computers and job-related software programs.
Skill in identifying and resolving problems.
Skill in decision making and problem solving.
Skill in interpersonal relations and in dealing with the public.

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Middle Georgia State University is committed to four core values in what we do and represent: CORE VALUES: Stewardship - Engagement - Adaptability - Learning

Middle Georgia State University is an equal employment, equal access, and equal educational opportunity employer. It is the policy of the Middle Georgia State University to recruit, hire, train, promote and educate persons without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status as required by applicable state and federal laws (including Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, Sections 503, and 504, ADEA, ADA, E.O. 11246, and Rev. Proc. 75-50).

For questions or more detailed information regarding this policy, please contact the Middle Georgia State University Office of Human Resources at 877.251.2644. Individuals requiring disability related accommodations for participation in any event or to obtain print materials in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources.

This is a full-time, 12-month, exempt (salaried) staff position and includes a comprehensive benefits package. Benefits include:

• Health insurance
• Dental
• Vision
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Life Insurance
• Sick Leave
• Vacation Leave
• Parental Leave
• Retirement
• Employee discounts
• Tuition reimbursement

Employment offer is contingent upon completing a background investigation including a criminal background check demonstrating your employment eligibility with MGA, as determined by MGA in its sole discretion, confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application material and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check.