Staff Attorney (Contracts)

Position Summary

Under general supervision, the Staff Attorney (Contracts) supports the In-House Legal Department in Contracts administration, legal research and analysis, drafting and filing of pertinent legal documents. Provides a full range of legal support functions on varied and complex duties, tasks and projects in support of National University (NU). Utilizes initiative, precision, excellent organizational skills, careful coordination, and discretion, to collaborate and communicate with a wide variety of public and private sector contacts, including faculty and staff, the President’s Office, as well as university leadership offices and representatives, government officials, attorneys, the Board of Trustees and the public. This position supports contract administration and general legal department.

Essential Functions:

• Leads contract administration, including review, revision, drafting, and management of contracts. 
• Negotiates contracts with 3rd parties to leverage preferred NU clauses.
• Handles dispute resolution, including litigation, with contractual partners over contract disagreements; leads and is responsible for contract lifecycle management (CLM) enhancement projects.
• Attends and co-leads CLM office hours to help inform stakeholders about contract lifecycle management processes, leads meetings with specific departments over business insights, process optimization, and prioritization.
• Independently prepares correspondence, memoranda, notes, reports, pleadings, subpoenas, affidavits, legal briefs, and other documents in compliance with university policies and procedures, and administrative agency, federal, state, and local court requirements.
• Interacts with various state agencies, courts, deposition and attorney services, attorneys, faculty representatives, and others; prepares and processes all forms of communication within and outside of the University.
• Partners with the Manager, Legal Operations, in the supervision of Legal Department and temporary staff supporting the Contracts process.
• Participates with projects, other high-level initiatives and general legal matters, as assigned.
• Ensures that all files and documents are maintained in accordance with office and University retention policies, protocols and procedures, with accuracy, thoroughness, and timeliness.
• Participates in discovery and document review, fact investigation, research.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: As assigned by the Associate General Counsel/General Counsel.

Requirements:

Education & Experience:

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited ABA institution required.
• Currently licensed to practice law in California, with no record of, or pending, discipline, required.
• Minimum three (3) to five (5) years of proven experience working as a contracts attorney or in a similar role, preferably within an in-house corporate legal department demonstrating the ability to produce high quality work product with tight deadlines required.
• Agiloft contract management system experience highly preferred.
• Experience in handling regulatory matters, including CCPA, FERPA, and GDPR is preferred.
• Experience and knowledge of current California labor and employment law preferred.
• Workday experience preferred.
• Experience in higher education preferred.

Competencies/Technical/Functional Skills:

• Strong grasp and knowledge of document review.
• Excellent research, writing, and communication skills are required. Ability to effectively communicate information in a clear and understandable manner, both verbally and in writing. Highly proficient written communication skills with the ability to compose and edit complex correspondence and documents, demonstrating a thorough knowledge of English grammar, spelling and punctuation. Demonstrated ability to edit and review legal documents and identify inaccuracies or omissions.
• The ability to learn and apply new legal principles, manage a sizeable volume of work and deadlines, and respond to the needs of various client representatives are key. The successful candidate will be a diligent and hard worker, and a thinker who thrives in and can contribute to the office's fast-paced, collegial team environment.
• Ability to make independent decisions and solve problems, with a particular emphasis on interpreting, communicating, and applying specialized and complex University policies and procedures.
• Strong strategic and analytic skills with the ability to research, analyze, and report on various issues, policies and procedures, and to recommend enhancements as necessary.
• Working knowledge of or ability to quickly learn University infrastructure, policies and procedures.
• Experience in intellectual property, regulatory, compliance, or technology contracts is a plus.
• Demonstrated customer service experience requiring a very high level of diplomacy, professionalism, integrity, and ethical conduct in handling confidential information and sensitive matters.
• Ability to pay high attention to accuracy and detail.
• Ability to work in a very fast-paced environment with numerous interruptions and frequently changing deadlines.
• Ability to work both independently and under specific direction.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with demonstrated skill in planning and organizing own work, setting own priorities, and coordinating multiple assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines with accountability for results.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to set own priorities to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines.
• Excellent computer skills and proficiency with a variety of computer/technology platforms and applications including word-processing, spreadsheets, databases, on-line systems, and Internet, as well as online calendaring and email, including Microsoft Office 365, MS Outlook, Workday, Adobe Pro, Adobe Sign, and Zoom.
• Ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, and productive work atmosphere within and outside the University with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population and with those from various cultural backgrounds, utilizing a customer-oriented and service-centered attitude.
• Ability to use tact and diplomacy to effectively handle a broad range of complex legal operations and sensitive interpersonal situations with diverse personalities, and to respond appropriately to conflicts and problems as they arise.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain the highest level of confidentiality regarding materials and sensitive issues such as personnel actions; grievances; contract negotiations; and lawsuits.
• Ability to analyze unique problems by using sound reasoning and the highest level of judgment and discretion in handling the day-to-day activities of the Office of Legal Counsel.

Location: Remote

Travel: No Travel Required

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Candidate receiving offers will be offered a salary/pay rate commensurate with experience that vary based on a candidate’s qualifications, skills, and competencies.  Absent exceptional circumstances, candidates will be offered a salary within this range for this position. The minimum salary will be offered based on the minimum exemption threshold based on state of residency. Base pay is one component of National University’s total rewards package, as we are dedicated to supporting the needs of the “whole you” with our holistic approach to employee benefits by offering comprehensive well-being benefits for you and your family.  For full details about our benefit plan offerings, please visit benefits.nu.edu. For Part-time benefits, please click here.

Compensation Range:

National University is committed to maintaining a high-quality, diverse workforce representative of the populations we serve. National University employs more than 5,000 faculty and staff and serves over 41,000 students. We are united in our mission to meet the global education demands of the 21st Century and are dedicated to creating a supportive academic and work environment that allows students, faculty and staff to develop their interests and talents while experiencing a sense of community and a commitment to diversity. With programs available both online and at our many campus locations, National University is a leader in creating innovative solutions to education and meeting the needs of our diverse student population, including adult learners and working professionals.

National University offers an opportunity to work in an innovative environment that supports diversity.

National University (NU) is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant per applicable federal, state and local laws. At NU, a diverse mix of highly talented, innovative and creative people come together to make the impact of a lifetime for each of our student learners. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment, education, and admission at National University. We are focused on equality and believe deeply in diversity of race, color, ancestry, age, family care status, veteran status, marital status, creed, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin, and other legally protected group status.