Associate Legal Counsel, CSU

Under Colorado law, the Board of Governors of the Colorado State University System (Board) exercises supervision and control over the Colorado State University System (System). The System is a body corporate of the State of Colorado and is composed of the following institutions: Colorado State University, Colorado State University – Pueblo, and Colorado State University – Global Campus. The Board has such powers, rights and privileges as are granted to it under Colorado law. The Board supports the institutions in their development as separate and distinct institutions through planning and resource development, and maintains each institution’s flexibility to address challenges and opportunities that arise as the institutions seek to fulfill their statutory missions.

The Office of General Counsel (OGC) protects and serves the legal interests of the Board, the System and its institutions. The OGC is comprised of three offices: the System office in Denver, Colorado; the CSU campus office in Fort Collins, Colorado; and the CSU-Pueblo campus office in Pueblo, Colorado. The lawyers employed in the OGC represent and provide legal services to the Board, the System and its institutions and organizations. The attorneys advise campus leadership and administrators in areas of higher education law, including litigation, transactional and other matters, based upon areas of expertise and practice. The attorneys also participate in general legal work handled by the Office of General Counsel. Each attorney is designated as a Special Attorney General for the purposes of representing the Board the System and its institutions.

Principal Practice Areas: Title IX, Student Affairs, Disabilities and Accommodations, Discrimination, Diversity, First Amendment, HIPAA, Insurance, Privacy, Sexual Harassment, Student Records/FERPA, Risk Management, Campus Safety, Employment Law and General Litigation.

The Associate Legal Counsel is located on the CSU campus and helps protect the legal interests of Colorado State University, the Board and the System. The Associate Legal Counsel participates in the general legal work handled by the Office of General Counsel. The Associate Legal Counsel should have experience in higher education law, as well as contracting requirements, fiscal rules and general real estate and transactional matters such as IGAs and construction contracts. The Associate Legal Counsel should also have experience in handling litigation matters and administrative issues such as grievances, discrimination complaints, workers compensation and other personnel matters including state classified personnel issues. The Associate Legal Counsel assists with timely responses to requests to Colorado State University under the Colorado Open Records Act.

The Associate Legal Counsel should have a working knowledge of all state constitutional and statutory laws that affect institutions of higher education in Colorado, the System and specifically CSU. The Associate Legal Counsel assists with providing oversight and guidance to CSU leadership on state, federal and local law compliance and stays current with all judicial decisions affecting institutions of higher education. The Associate Legal Counsel stays current with all state and federal legislation relating to higher education and initiates actions to ensure compliance.

Associate Legal Counsel collaborates and coordinates with a legal assistant.

• Law degree from an accredited law school and a minimum of three (3) years legal experience
• Demonstrated ability to perform in fast-paced environment requiring legal work in a variety of substantive areas and interactions with all levels of leadership and staff of the System
• Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively and collegially with a legal team, including support personnel, having a significant workload but limited resources
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally.
• Demonstrated strong commitment to client service and teamwork
• Excellent analytical, research, writing, problem-solving and interpersonal skills
• Member of Colorado Bar or admitted to Colorado Bar Association within one year

• Demonstrated experience in providing legal advice to a public institution of higher education, with significant knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations applicable to such an institution.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion.
• Demonstrated experience in contracting requirements, fiscal rules, and general real estate and transactional matters such as IGAs and construction contracts.
• Demonstrated experience in handling litigation matters and administrative issues such as grievances, discrimination complaints, workers compensation and other personnel matters including state classified personnel issues.

Demonstrated knowledge of, and relevant ability with, culturally diverse communities among potential target and constituent populations.

Interested applicants must submit a cover letter which addresses how professional experiences align with all of the required and the preferred qualifications of the position; a current resume; and the names, e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers of three (3) professional references. References will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates.

Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or pregnancy and will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. The Office of Equal Opportunity is located in 101 Student Services.

The Title IX Coordinator is the Executive Director of the Office of Support and Safety Assessment, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523 -2026, (970) 491-7407.

The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Associate Vice President for Human Capital, Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836.

Colorado State University (CSU) strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal (felony and misdemeanor) history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the university, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.