Associate System Legal Counsel

Company: University of Wisconsin System
Location: Madison
Posted on: April 1, 2025

Job Description:

The Universities of Wisconsin are a premier system of public higher education serving more than 164,000 students. Awarding nearly 37,000 degrees annually, the universities are Wisconsin's talent pipeline, putting graduates in position to increase their earning power, contribute to their communities, and make Wisconsin a better place to live. Through a constellation of 13 universities statewide, the Universities of Wisconsin are a tremendous academic, cultural, and economic resource for Wisconsin, the nation, and the world.

Making sure you fit the guidelines as an applicant for this role is essential, please read the below carefully.

The Universities of Wisconsin Administration assists in establishing policies, planning the programmatic financial and physical development of the Universities. UWSA supports the Universities in delivering transformative educational outcomes and research that expands the boundaries of knowledge. We work to extend the value of our universities beyond the boundaries of the campuses, seeking to enhance the quality of life for all in Wisconsin and beyond, in fulfillment of the Wisconsin Idea.

The Office of General Counsel provides comprehensive legal services to the UW System comprehensive campuses, including advice on a wide variety of legal matters such as personnel issues, student affairs, public records and open meetings, real estate, risk management, and immigration, among others. OGC also reviews and drafts policies; reviews, drafts, and negotiates contracts; represents UW institutions in administrative hearings; and acts as a liaison with the Wisconsin Department of Justice in litigation filed in court. An emphasis on proactive and preventive law is foremost, and OGC attorneys provide training on legal issues to administrators and staff throughout the UW System. POSITION SUMMARY

This is a starting-level, professional, fixed-term renewable academic staff position under the supervision of the General Counsel and the Deputy General Counsel. The position provides legal representation, and advises and counsels the Universities of Wisconsin community to prevent or minimize legal risks.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES The actual percentage of time devoted to each function described below may vary.

65%: In writing and orally, provide or assist in providing legal advice to Universities of Wisconsin officers and employees on the interpretation and implementation of constitutional, statutory, administrative rule or regulation, and policy requirements.

20%: Provide or assist in providing legal representation in actions before federal and state administrative agencies, and internal proceedings, in a variety of matters including employment law and student discipline.



15%: Miscellaneous

Provide legal counsel to campus, administration and board committees or similar bodies.
Assist in the investigation and preparation of litigation matters in cooperation with the Attorney General's office.
Provide or assist in the providing of formal and informal educational sessions on legal issues for Universities of Wisconsin professionals.
Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

To be considered for this position, a candidate must have:

Juris Doctorate (JD) from an A.B.A. accredited law school.
Licensure in good standing or eligibility for licensure to practice law in the state of Wisconsin by date of appointment.
Superior communication and legal research skills and the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Willingness to travel in-state and out-of-state, as necessary.
Experience with computers, including word processing and software application programs, and legal research databases.
Ability to work cooperatively with other attorneys and university professionals



PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Well qualified applicants will also have a substantial amount of experience in a combination of the following:

Experience in one or more of the following legal practice areas:

Employment, student affairs, government affairs, "in-house" representation, real estate procurement, information technology, open meetings and public records, risk management, security, immigration, bankruptcy, tax, trusts, or intellectual property.

COMMITMENT TO INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE

Inclusive Excellence is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for Universities of Wisconsin. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the Universities of Wisconsin community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching and learning, research, scholarship, creative activity, community service, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

Universities of Wisconsin fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who serve the State of Wisconsin and the public good.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

This offer of employment is conditional pending the results of a criminal background check and a reference check process that includes questions regarding employee misconduct, sexual violence and sexual harassment. If you have prior work history within the past 7 years with Universities of Wisconsin, your personnel file will also be reviewed for employee misconduct. If the results are unacceptable, the offer will be withdrawn or, if you have started employment, your employment will be terminated.

The Universities of Wisconsin will not sponsor a work visa for this position at the time of hire or anytime during employment. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required Employment Eligibility Form I-9 upon hire.

WORK LOCATION

The office is located at Van Hise Hall, Madison. Telecommuting may be an option.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The Associate System Legal Counsel (working title), Attorney 1 (Inst) (official title) is a full-time, salaried exempt, academic staff appointment. Well-qualified candidates can expect a starting annual salary within the range of $100,000. - $122,300. annually commensurate with the candidate's education, related experience, and qualifications.

The Universities of Wisconsin employees receive an excellent benefits package. To learn more about the benefits package, review the Universities of Wisconsin Employee Benefits Quick Guide (FA/AS/LI). Use the Health & Retirement Contributions Estimator to calculate the estimated value of your compensation and benefits.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
To ensure full consideration, please submit application materials as soon as possible. Applicant screening will begin immediately and be ongoing through Sunday, March 16, 2025. However, applications may be accepted until the position has been filled.

Visit UWSA Applicant Portal to submit your materials online and select the appropriate applicant portal, either External Applicants or Internal Applicants and click on the position title that you want to apply for. To receive full consideration, interested applicants are required to apply online and provide the required materials listed below in pdf format:

Resume
Cover letter addressing your experience and education as it applies to all minimum and preferred qualifications



SPECIAL NOTES:

If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request by contacting Angie Koppen.

The Universities of Wisconsin will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. -. 19.36(7).

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran, and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellent through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.

Keywords: University of Wisconsin System, Madison , Associate System Legal Counsel, Legal , Madison, Wisconsin