Attorney, Legal Affairs

WHY UT SOUTHWESTERN?

With over 75 years of excellence in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, UT Southwestern is committed to excellence, innovation, teamwork, and compassion. As a world-renowned medical and research center, we strive to provide the best possible care, resources, and benefits for our valued employees. Ranked as the number 1 hospital in Dallas-Fort Worth according to U.S. News & World Report, we invest in you with opportunities for career growth and development to align with your future goals. Our highly competitive benefits package offers healthcare, PTO and paid holidays, on-site childcare, wage, merit increases and so much more. We invite you to be a part of the UT Southwestern team where you'll discover a culture of teamwork, professionalism, and a rewarding career!

JOB SUMMARY

Works in the Office of the Vice President for Legal Affairs, under limited supervision, to provide legal counsel and resolve general legal issues (excluding medical risk management and healthcare regulatory matters) arising within an academic medical center.

BENEFITS

UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall wellbeing, and include:

• PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
• 100% coverage for preventive healthcare-no copay
• Paid Time Off, available day one
• Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
• Paid Parental Leave Benefit
• Wellness programs
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer
• Learn more about these and other UTSW employee benefits!
  

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Required

• Education

J. D. degree and license to practice law in Texas

• Experience

4 years of consecutive years of experience actively engaged in the practice of law and

• Licenses and Certifications

License to practice law in Texas Upon Hire

Preferred

• Experience

Previous employment law experience and

Previous litigation practice and case management experience and

Previous experience in higher education, at a state agency, in healthcare, or at an academic medical center

JOB DUTIES

• General Advice and Counsel- review, analyze and advise the University administration, individual schools, and basic sciences and clinical departments concerning legal matters that arise in the medical and educational setting (e.g., employment-related issues; tort claims; collection cases; disciplinary actions; interpretation and application of laws, policies and regulations; and, other general matters). Identify issues appropriately handled by Legal Affairs and refer other issues to the correct departments within the institution.
• Litigation Management- manage all claims and lawsuits (other than medical malpractice) filed against the institution and its employees, including pre-litigation investigation, document preservation and discovery practice, preparing for and attending depositions, motions practice, hearing preparation, mediation, trial preparation, and appeals; assist the Office of General Counsel at UT System and the Attorney General in every aspect of lawsuits; assist with the University's response to complaints, charges or investigations from external agencies (e.g., EEOC, TWC, DOL, DOE).
• Employment Issues- advise on a variety of employment issues, including internal complaints and investigations, disciplinary actions, grievances and appeals, and compliance with applicable laws, regulations and policies (FMLA, FLSA, ADA, Texas Labor Code, etc.).
• Policy Development and Training- advise on new and existing policy initiatives; draft, review and revise institutional and departmental policies and procedures; develop and provide training on a broad range of legal issues in areas such as policy, employment law, education law, and compliance.
• Student and Trainee Issues- review and analyze legal issues arising within the medical, graduate and health professions schools; advise administration regarding student disciplinary actions and internal grievances, hearings and appeals.
• Business Issues- review and analyze legal issues arising within University business areas including but not limited to Business Affairs, Information Resources, Audit, Technology Development, Real Estate, Conflict of Interest, Contracts Management and Safety & Business Continuity.
• Tort Claims- process pre-litigation tort claims involving the University in accordance with the Texas Tort Claims Act; coordinate the submission of insurance claims to insurers and collection of sums from either insurers or individuals for the repair of damage to University property.
• Committee Membership/Counsel- serve on or advise institutional committees in areas such as conflicts of interest, research, policy, compliance, safety, etc.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

SECURITY AND EEO STATEMENT
Security

This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information. To the extent this position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code, the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the critical infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired and to continue to be employed in the position.

EEO Statement

UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.

Benefits

UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall wellbeing, and include:
• PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
• 100% coverage for preventive healthcare - no copay
• Paid Time Off, available day one
• Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
• Paid Parental Leave Benefit
• Wellness programs
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer
• Learn more about these and other UTSW employee benefits!