Managing Counsel – Litigation and Labor

About The State University of New York :

The State University of New York, or SUNY, is the largest comprehensive system of public higher education in the United States, with 64 colleges and universities spanning the state from Long Island to the Adirondacks to Buffalo. SUNY System Administration employees, based in Albany and New York City, provide critical support for SUNY campuses, employees, and students to advance SUNY’s mission of providing high-quality, affordable higher education for all.

Across a wide range of roles, from finance and legal counsel to student support, academic affairs, IT, admissions, and more, our employees work toward advancing the four priority pillars established by SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. and the SUNY Board of Trustees: student success; research and scholarship; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and economic development and upward mobility. SUNY System Administration is a mission-driven workplace with robust New York State benefits including health insurance, retirement, time off, and paid family leave.

Job Description:

About the Office of General Counsel

The Office of General Counsel (OGC) provides legal services and support to the Board of Trustees, the Chancellor and senior officers for the State University of New York (SUNY) at SUNY System Administration at Albany, New York, and the presidents and administrators of the campuses within the System. Under the leadership of the Senior Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs and the General Counsel, the SUNY Office of General Counsel is responsible for providing legal services to the System and the 29 State-operated campuses. The OGC consists of more than 50 experienced higher education attorneys, paralegals and support staff located in Albany at the System Administration headquarters and in campus-based offices at the four University Centers, Health Science Centers, and various SUNY colleges.

The legal practice of the OGC involves a substantial array of topics, including public procurement, governance and ethics, legislation, health care, capital construction, public finance, labor grievances and arbitration, litigation oversight (the State’s Attorney General defends litigation brought against the University), student affairs, and the use of real property, among others. The OGC represents the State University in interactions with State officials who may regulate the affairs of the State University, including the Attorney General, State Comptroller, the Governor and staff, and members of the State Legislature and staff as well as other state and local agencies and entities.

The Managing Counsel – Litigation and Labor will help lead the OGC’s Litigation and Labor Practice Group, and spearhead the OGC’s litigation and labor law practice by developing and implementing a strategic vision for the practice group, and strengthening related legal services to the State University and its State-operated campuses.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The State University of New York System Administration, located in Albany, New York, invites applications for the position of Managing Counsel – Litigation and Labor.

The Managing Counsel – Litigation and Labor will serve as the lead attorney for the OGC in providing comprehensive legal services and guidance to the State University and its State-operated campuses on issues related to federal or state litigation where one or more SUNY campuses are named; strategically managing litigation and disputes across the System, including, labor arbitrations and other administrative proceedings (Division of Human Rights, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Office of Civil Rights, etc.); drafting responses, including position statements, in administrative proceedings; managing employment/labor issues (working closely with SUNY’s Employee Relations Group for all matters involving unionized employees and their collective bargaining agreements) and other complex and emerging issues affecting the System; liaising with the NYS Attorney General’s Office and outside Counsel; negotiating and evaluating settlement requests; overseeing discovery; preparing witness for depositions, arbitrations and trials; coordinating with the NYS Inspector General’s Office and NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government and SUNY campuses in investigations of misconduct; and other duties as needed.

Requirements:

Required Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited ABA law school (or foreign equivalent).
• Admission to the New York State Bar in good standing (or eligibility for admission within six months) and a strong academic background.
• Experience advising clients on complex litigation and/or labor and employment issues.
• This position requires 8+ years of legal practice or relevant experience prior to beginning the position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 20+ years of experience in litigation and/or labor and employment issues.
• Demonstrated success in building, leading, and managing a team, and developing and implementing new systems.
• Legal experience working in higher education and/or government law.
• Superior written and oral communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to present complex legal concepts to diverse, non-legal professionals.
• Experience in preparing and providing legal training on various legal and compliance issues. 

Additional Information:

• Salary is dependent on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, experience, education, training, and certifications. The range as an Campus Counsel position is $118,000 – $171,00.
• Excellent Benefit Package which includes: NYS health insurance, free dental and vision coverage, competitive retirement options, tuition assistance, parental leave at full pay, and generous vacation, sick, and holiday time. 13 days of paid holidays per year; 21 days of vacation and 21 days of sick time accrued each year. Please see our Management/Confidential benefits summary for additional information.
• Management/Confidential appointments work under the leadership and discretion of the appointing authority and are not represented by a union.
• This position is located in Albany, New York. Limited telecommuting may be available. Some travel may be required depending on the needs of clients.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. VISA sponsorship is not available for this position. Applicants with a valid driver’s license are preferred.

SUNY System Administration Benefits

SUNY System Administration provides an outstanding and comprehensive benefits package to support you and your family through the many life changes you may experience while you work for SUNY. Our nationally recognized benefits include:

• Retirement: The choice between a fully funded pension plan and a self-driven defined contribution plan, along with two supplemental plans to increase your ability to save for retirement.
• Health Insurance: Several health insurance options at an affordable cost that provide full coverage without mandatory deductibles.
• Time Off: Paid time off with separate vacation and sick leave accruals up to 21 days a year for each category.
• Additional paid leave policy options for childbirth, adoption, elder care, and other family care situations.
• Flexible Working Arrangements: Flexible working arrangements, including hybrid schedules, are available depending on position.

Explore our full benefits offerings here: www.suny.edu/benefits

Application Instructions:

Interested candidates are invited to apply online. Please submit a cover letter, resume and four professional references when applying. The review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

State University of New York System Administration is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, criminal conviction, or retaliation.