Job Description

University of Utah Job Description

Job Summary

Performs complex legal work for the highest levels of University administration in areas of legal specialization. Acts with full authority and discretion for the General Counsel when General Counsel is unavailable. Oversees, coordinates and trains lower-level attorneys and professional staff. Is the attorney principally responsible for providing advice to University of Utah Health Care. Supervises other attorneys who also advise University of Utah Health Care.

Qualifications

Juris Doctor from an accredited law school, admission to the Utah State bar association plus six years of legal experience required. Demonstrated organizational, human relations and effective verbal/written communication skills also required.

An excellent academic record and related experience preferred.

This position is not responsible for providing patient care.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Disclaimer

This job description 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 the job.

Essential Functions

1. Performs complex legal work for the highest levels of University administration in areas of legal specialization, as well as the duties of the Associate General Counsel position.
2. Acts with full authority and discretion for the General Counsel when General Counsel is unavailable.
3. Independently anticipates, identifies and resolves legal issues of concern to senior University administration.
4. Develops appropriate legal strategies and solutions, often in situations of high risk to the University, with limited time for assessing alternatives.
5. Establishes working guidelines to include internal operating policies, intake procedures, work priorities, turnaround times, quality standards, and other operational benchmarks.
6. Oversees, coordinates, and trains lower-level attorneys and support staff.
7. Monitors and analyzes complex current, proposed, or pending laws, regulations, and other internal or external developments affecting the University in areas of legal specialty. Prepares summary analyses and comments, and prepares formal opinions.
8. Reviews, drafts and approves complex contracts involving great risk or significance to the University.

Problem Solving

Incumbents face the challenge of keeping current on changes to University policy, state and federal laws and regulations and the legal implications of those changes.

Comments

The position is distinguished from the Associate General Counsel position in that incumbents frequently work with senior levels of University administration, responds to more complex legal issues and have administrative responsibilities.

Work Environment and Level of Frequency typically required

Nearly Continuously: Office environment.

Physical Requirements and Level of Frequency that may be required

Nearly Continuously: Sitting, hearing, listening, talking.

Often: Repetitive hand motion (such as typing), walking. 

Seldom: Bending, reaching overhead.