Associate General Counsel (9732GC) or Senior Associate General Counsel (depending on required qualifications and experience)


Office of General Counsel is seeking a skilled, client-focused lawyer with excellent academic credentials to advise and represent academic departments and business units in business transactions. You join a team of attorneys with a focus on improving the legal review process of a high volume of the university's business transactions, and will be responsible for reviewing, drafting, and negotiating a wide range of contracts to ensure compliance with legal requirements and protect the University's interests. You will collaborate closely with the other attorneys in the office, internal stakeholders, and external parties to assist with the facilitation of effective contract management and provide expert advice. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in contract law, exceptional communication skills, and a proven ability to analyze complex legal issues.

The position will perform a review of contracts for legal sufficiency: contracts for purchases of goods and services, sponsorship agreements, agreements with government entities, leases and purchases, along with memoranda of understanding, affiliation type agreements, confidentiality agreements and similar documents. In addition, the candidate will review, analyze, and revise independent contractor, licensing agreements, and purchasing templates.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the general direction of the Director of the Transactions Group, the successful candidate will:
- Draft legal documents based on a list of preferred clauses, but also be experienced enough to generate favorable clauses for the University from experience.
- Collaborate effectively with other members of the transactional group and all business units.
- Protect and mitigate University risks that may arise from contractual commitments.
- Review contract terms and seek expertise from other members of the transactional group in order to convey comprehensive legal edits to the business units.
- Collaborate with university teams, including compliance, procurement, finance, and business units, to ensure contracts align with business objectives and comply with university policies and legal regulations.
- Advise internal stakeholders on legal implications, risks, and potential solutions related to contractual matters.
- Conduct legal research to stay updated on changes in contract laws and regulations that may impact the University.

Required Qualifications: The successful candidate must possess each of the following:

Associate General Counsel Qualifications
-A Juris Doctorate granted by an ABA accredited law school
-Admission to and good standing in the State Bar of Minnesota or eligibility for prompt admission
-Minimum 4 years of experience as a lawyer advising on commercial transactions, preferably within an in-house corporate legal department (experience in higher education a plus).
-Highest level of integrity and professionalism
-An ability to independently prioritize work and manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
-Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Senior Associate General Counsel Qualifications

-A Juris Doctorate granted by an ABA accredited law school
-Admission to and good standing in the State Bar of Minnesota or eligibility for prompt admission
-Minimum 8 years of experience as a lawyer advising on commercial transactions, preferably within an in-house corporate legal department (experience in higher education a plus).
-Highest level of integrity and professionalism
-An ability to independently prioritize work and manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
-Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Desired for both:
-Exceptional attention to detail and strong analytical skills to identify legal risks and propose effective solutions.
-Knowledge and expertise in a broad array of practice areas including significant experience drafting and negotiating business agreements
-Experience in higher education, or advising institutions of higher education
-Experience in a law firm as well as in-house
-Strong analytical and interpersonal skills and cross-cultural competencies
-Having worked collegially and professionally in a diverse environment with peers, subordinates, and clients
-Knowledge in a specific area related to university purchases, such as technology agreements, privacy and security, or import regulations

The University of Minnesota is a research intensive, five-campus institution of higher education. The University enrolls over 59,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students each year. It spends more than $1 billion each year on research and development, placing it eleventh among public universities in the country.

The University of Minnesota's Office of the General Counsel ("OGC") provides and oversees all legal advice to the University, including to the Board of Regents, senior administration, and others in the University community. OGC's offices are located on the Twin Cities campus. Eight attorneys and two paralegals make up the Transactions Group in OGC. The group represents and advises academic departments and administrative units throughout the University's five-campus system in entering into and performing commercial transactions. Please visit OGC's website for more information on the office: https://ogc.umn.edu/.

Working at the University

At the University of Minnesota, you'll find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning. We prioritize work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life outside of work.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Please visit the for more information regarding benefits.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U:

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).