Senior Staff Counsel/University Counsel

Auburn University's Office of General Counsel seeks a Senior Staff Counsel OR University Counsel to engage in a challenging, wide-ranging transactional practice with an emphasis in real estate business transactions and complex commercial agreements. Such legal support may encompass a broad variety of issues related to facilities, real estate, commercial leases, construction and compliance, the acquisition and disposition of property, airport management, and legal issues pertaining to the design, construction, and delivery phases for both new construction and renovations. The Senior Staff/University Counsel may be asked to advise on such transactions as public/private partnerships, hotel operating agreements, strategic financing, construction, and development agreements. The Senior Staff/University Counsel may also act as a lead legal liaison on complex strategic commercial transactions that impact the institution, including agreements related to large scale professional services, housing and food service, apparel endorsements, pouring rights, information technology, revenue generating ventures, intellectual property, trademark licensing, and other general business and transactional matters. The Senior Staff/University Counsel will provide contract negotiation, drafting, strategic planning and client counseling services to University constituents and associated University entities. This person will work closely with all the attorneys in the Office of the General Counsel.

For this position, the Office of the General Counsel seeks an attorney who has substantial sophisticated transactional legal experience, strong drafting and negotiating skills, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team. The Senior Staff/University Counsel should have expertise as a corporate transactional/real estate attorney with the attitude of a generalist able to serve and support the institution in any assigned area of legal work. The ability to produce work comparable to that of experienced and sophisticated outside counsel is essential. The Senior Staff/University Counsel should have advanced written communication skills and the ability to create and deliver effective materials and/or presentations appropriate to a particular audience, including university leadership, senior university officials, and university trustees. Also essential to this role are strong analytical and problem-solving abilities; initiative, intellectual curiosity, creativity, strategic common sense, and good judgment.

Auburn University is more than just an institution; it's a vibrant community where real people come together to make a difference. Our commitment to students, employees, communities, and our world runs deep, and it's reflected in every corner of our campus and beyond.

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Senior Staff Counsel - Requirements
Juris Doctor (J.D.)/Bachelor of Law degree from an accredited law school. And five (5) years of experience in two or more of the University's primary areas of legal practice. Special considerations will be given to applicants with experience in higher education law.

University Counsel - Requirements
Juris Doctorate and ten (10) years experience as an attorney at law. Substitutions allowed for Experience: When a candidate has the required education, but lacks the required experience, they may normally apply additional appropriate education toward the experience requirement, at a rate of one (1) year relevant education per year of required experience.

Knowledge of case law, legal precedent, and legislation related to higher education and university business and operations.

Eligible to practice law in the State of Alabama or able to attain eligibility within one year

AUBURN UNIVERSITY IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/ EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. It is our policy to provide equal employment and education opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable law. The Office of Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity (AA/ EEO) strives to ensure an inclusive and equitable working, living, and learning environment for members of the Auburn University community. Please visit their website to learn more.