General Counsel

Overview and Responsibilities

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is seeking candidates who are eager to contribute to its Lasallian Catholic mission of awakening, nurturing, and empowering learners to ethical lives of service and leadership. We invite individuals to help transform lives through education, inspired by the Catholic Intellectual Tradition’s quest to understand the human experience through faith and reason and its embrace of all who are dedicated to learning from one another through authentic conversations in search of the truth. We are especially interested in and give preference to candidates who demonstrate a vision to create and nurture initiatives that will advance our mission within the scope of their duties and who will foster a culture of dialogue that, with respect for all people, supports the search for meaning and purpose in pursuit of excellence.

Job Summary

As the University's chief legal officer, the General Counsel provides strategic legal counsel and guidance to the President, Board of Trustees, President's Cabinet, and senior leadership across a diverse range of complex legal, regulatory, governance, and institutional matters. This highly visible executive leader serves as a trusted advisor and collaborative partner dedicated to advancing the University's mission while minimizing legal and reputational risk.

The General Counsel functions as a proactive, solutions-oriented leader who bridges the University's strategic goals and legal obligations, fostering a culture of informed, ethical decision-making and institutional accountability. The General Counsel advises across a broad spectrum of issues affecting higher education, including employment matters, student affairs, governance, compliance, contracts, litigation, risk management, Title IX, regulatory developments, and emerging legal challenges. The General Counsel also assists in the selection, retention, and oversight of experienced outside counsel engaged to support specialized legal matters.

As a member of the President's Cabinet, the General Counsel works closely with institutional leadership to navigate complex legal landscapes, support sound governance practices, and provide practical guidance that advances organizational objectives while ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and accreditation requirements. The General Counsel serves as a trusted and accessible resource to leadership and collaborates extensively with Human Resources, Student Affairs, Title IX, Campus Safety, Academic Affairs, Finance, Athletics, and other administrative units.

The General Counsel is expected to exercise exceptional judgment, integrity, discretion, diplomacy, and political acumen while managing sensitive and high-profile matters affecting the University community. This position reports directly to the President.

Salary Range: $160,000 - $190,000

Main Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Legal Counsel

• Serve as the University's chief legal advisor on all legal, regulatory, governance, compliance, and risk management matters.
• Provide strategic legal counsel and practical guidance to the President, Board of Trustees, President's Cabinet, and senior leadership.
• Anticipate legal issues, assess institutional risks, and develop proactive strategies to protect the University's interests and mission.
• Translate complex legal concepts into clear, actionable recommendations for both legal and non-legal audiences.
• Serve as a trusted advisor and collaborative partner to campus leaders in addressing complex and sensitive institutional matters.
• Inform leadership regarding legislative, regulatory, and legal developments that may impact university operations.
• Support strategic initiatives, institutional partnerships, affiliations, acquisitions, and other significant organizational transactions.

Governance and Board Relations

• Serve as legal advisor to the Board of Trustees on governance, fiduciary responsibilities, bylaws, policies, and legal obligations.
• Support effective university governance and ensure compliance with governance requirements and best practices.
• Review and draft Board resolutions, governance documents, policies, and related materials.
• Advise trustees and senior leadership regarding emerging legal and governance issues.
• Serves as a resource person for the University Nominations and Governance Committee.
• Manage all legal affairs involving the University and Board of Trustees.

Employment, Labor, and Human Resources Matters

• Advise and support Human Resources regarding employment law matters, including compliance with Titles VI, VII, and IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and other applicable employment laws.
• Provide counsel regarding employee relations, accommodations, investigations, disciplinary actions, grievances, workplace policies, and personnel matters.
• Assist with labor relations, and workforce-related legal issues as applicable.
• Recommend corrective actions and risk mitigation strategies when employment concerns arise.

Student Affairs and Higher Education Compliance

• Advise leadership regarding legal matters affecting students and student affairs operations.
• Provide legal guidance regarding compliance with federal and state laws governing higher education, including: Title IV, VI, VII, IX, FERPA, ADA and disability accommodations, Clergy Act, campus safety requirements, NCAA and athletic compliance matters, Immigration and international student issues, accreditation requirements, and research compliance requirements.
• Review student-related disputes, disciplinary matters, discrimination complaints, and other legal concerns involving students.

Compliance, Risk Management, and Policy Development

• Identify, interpret, and apply laws, regulations, and legal requirements affecting university operations.
• Advise the University regarding the most effective methods to achieve and maintain compliance.
• Develop, review, and update institutional policies and administrative procedures.
• Draft and administer policies designed to meet ethical, legal, and regulatory obligations.
• Collaborate with institutional leaders to identify, assess, and mitigate operational, legal, and reputational risks.
• Support enterprise risk management initiatives and compliance programs.
• Develop and implement legal compliance training and educational programs for faculty, staff, administrators, and trustees.

Contracts, Transactions, and Business Operations

• Draft, review, negotiate, and maintain contracts, agreements, memoranda of understanding, grants, licenses, leases, and other legal documents.
• Advise departments regarding procurement, vendor relationships, technology agreements, sponsored research agreements, and business partnerships.
• Provide legal support for real estate, construction, intellectual property, and institutional transactions.
• Ensure legal documents accurately reflect the University's interests and obligations.

Litigation and Dispute Resolution

• Manage litigation, administrative proceedings, governmental investigations, regulatory inquiries, and claims involving the University.
• Represent the University or oversee representation by outside counsel.
• Evaluate legal exposure and recommend litigation, settlement, or alternative dispute resolution strategies.
• Coordinate responses to subpoenas, complaints, and governmental requests.
• Manage relationships with outside counsel and ensure effective use of external legal resources.

Crisis Management and Institutional Response

• Coordinate with the Vice President of University Relations and advise senior leadership on crisis management, emergency response, and institutional communications.
• Participate in crisis response planning and decision-making processes.
• Investigate underlying causes of institutional crises and recommend risk mitigation measures.
• Support leadership during highly sensitive and high-profile situations requiring immediate legal guidance.

Leadership and Administration

• Serve as a member of the President's Cabinet and other leadership committees as assigned.
• Advance and support the University's Catholic identity, and core values.
• Demonstrate a commitment to the Catholic faith and to advancing the University’s Lasallian Catholic mission through sound legal counsel and ethical leadership. Bring an understanding of the legal, governance, and operational considerations of faith‑based higher education and integrates mission‑centered decision-making into legal strategy, policy development, and institutional risk management.
• Build collaborative relationships across all levels of the institution.
• Demonstrate sensitivity, respect, and commitment to the dignity of all members of the University community.
• Establish a culture that encourages proactive consultation with legal counsel.
• Develop and manage departmental budgets and operational priorities.

Qualifications

Experience and Education Requirements

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited U.S. law school.
• Current license to practice law in the State of Minnesota or eligibility to obtain admission to practice in Minnesota at the time of employment.
• Maintenance of all required licensure, continuing education, certifications, and professional training.
• Minimum of seven (7) to ten (10) years of progressively responsible legal experience in higher education, nonprofit organizations, government, healthcare, or similarly regulated environments, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• A demonstrated commitment to and support for the Catholic faith and identity of the University is required. Preference will be given to candidates who are practicing Catholics.
• Demonstrated experience serving as a strategic legal advisor to executive leadership, presidents, governing boards, or senior administrative teams on complex legal, regulatory, governance, and institutional matters.
• Significant experience interpreting and applying federal and state laws affecting higher education, including employment law, student affairs, regulatory compliance, civil rights, and risk management.
• Demonstrated experience managing sensitive, confidential, and high-impact institutional matters involving significant legal, financial, operational, or reputational risk.
• Experience supporting executive-level decision-making and participating as a member of a senior leadership team, cabinet, or equivalent executive body.
• Proven ability to balance legal risk with institutional mission, strategic priorities, and operational objectives.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience serving as General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, Associate General Counsel, Chief Legal Officer, or senior legal executive.
• Experience in Catholic higher education or other faith-based colleges and universities.
• Demonstrated understanding of Catholic higher education governance, mission integration, religious exemptions, and legal issues unique to faith-based educational institutions.
• Familiarity with the principles and traditions of Catholic intellectual life and mission-driven higher education.
• Knowledge of Lasallian educational values and the role of mission in institutional decision-making.
• Prior legal practice or leadership experience in Minnesota.
• Experience supporting Boards of Trustees and advising governing bodies on fiduciary responsibilities, governance practices, and institutional strategy.
• Experience with labor relations, collective bargaining, enterprise risk management, and organizational compliance programs.
• Experience managing outside counsel in transactional and document matters, litigation, arbitration, administrative proceedings, and other legal affairs.
• Commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards.

E ssential Knowledge & Skills

• Comprehensive knowledge of higher education law, nonprofit governance, and regulatory compliance.
• Strong understanding of federal and state employment laws and regulations.
• Knowledge of legal issues affecting private, faith-based institutions of higher education.
• Ability to efficiently conduct complex legal research and analysis.
• Ability to anticipate legal risks and provide strategic, practical solutions.
• Outstanding communication skills, including the ability to explain complex legal concepts clearly to diverse audiences.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to build relationships across varied constituencies.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities while maintaining responsiveness and a strong client-service orientation.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, diplomacy, and political acumen in highly sensitive situations.
• Strong drafting, editing, negotiation, mediation and contract review skills.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret legal, scientific, technical, and regulatory materials.
• Ability to respond effectively to inquiries from regulators, government agencies, accrediting bodies, trustees, faculty, staff, students, and community stakeholders.
• Ability to present information confidently and effectively to executive leadership, governing boards, employees, and external audiences.

Competencies

• Mission-Centered Leadership
• Strategic Thinking and Decision-Making
• Legal and Regulatory Expertise
• Governance and Board Relations
• Risk Assessment and Risk Mitigation
• Relationship Building and Collaboration
• Political Acumen and Diplomacy
• Communication and Influence
• Crisis Management
• Problem Solving and Sound Judgment

Physical Demands

• Sedentary work. Sedentary work involves lifting no more than 10 pounds at a time and occasionally lifting or carrying articles like docket files, ledgers, and small tools. Although a sedentary job is defined as one which involves sitting, a certain amount of walking and standing is often necessary in carrying out job duties. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required occasionally and other sedentary criteria are met.

Physical Hazards – Health and Safety Concerns

• General office environments
• Ergonomics
• Driving

Disclaimer

The General Counsel is expected to understand and support the University's Catholic Lasallian identity and to provide legal guidance that reflects the institution's mission, values, and commitment to the dignity of every person. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to balance legal compliance, institutional stewardship, and mission-centered leadership while supporting the University's educational, spiritual, and strategic objectives.

This position description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by an individual assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required. The University reserves the right to modify or revise this position description as institutional needs evolve. Compensation is commensurate with experience. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity employer consistent with its Catholic Mission.

Application Requirements

Apply online at https://www.smumn.edu/about/offices-services/human-resources/employment-opportunities/ and include a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references.

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota believes inclusion and human dignity contributes to a robust academic and work environment and is critical to achieving the University's mission in an increasingly diverse society. Individuals with expertise and diverse skills from underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. The successful candidate must support, respect, and advance the mission of Saint Mary's University as a Lasallian Catholic institution.

Saint Mary’s offers a comprehensive benefit package including health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, flexible spending, retirement pension plan, and both undergraduate and graduate tuition remission plans.

All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.