Assistant/Associate General Counsel - (3 Positions)

Position Information

Posting Number SF02195 Job Title Assistant/Associate General Counsel - (3 Positions) Position Number 109688 & 108454 & PS#00008199 FTE 3.0 FLSA Exempt Position Type Professional Staff Union Non-Union Non-Classified Staff Pay Grade Level Grade Levels: 15 & 16 Pay Grade Range Salary Hiring Range for the Assistant grade: 15: ($135,000-$155,000) and Salary Hiring Range for the Associate grade: 16: ($160,000-$180,000) Status Calendar Year, Full-time, Permanent

Department Information

Department Office of General Counsel Contact(s)

Please note: Job applications must be submitted directly online only at: (https://jobs.uri.edu)

Contact Phone/Extension Contact Email Physical Demands Campus Location Kingston Grant Funded No Extension Contingency Notes Job Description Summary

The search will remain open until the position has been filled. First consideration will be given to applications received by September 26, 2026. Applications received after September 26, 2026 may be reviewed depending on search progress and needs but are not guaranteed full consideration.

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About URI:

The University of Rhode Island enrolls approximately 17,000 students across its graduate and undergraduate programs and is the State's flagship public research university, as well as the land grant and sea grant university, for the state of Rhode Island. The main campus is located in the historic village of Kingston, and the Bay Campus is located in Narragansett. Both campuses are near major beaches in a beautiful coastal community. URI is just 30 minutes from Providence, RI and within easy reach of Newport, Boston, and New York City.

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THE POSITION WILL BE EITHER AN ASSISTANT GENERAL COUNSEL (GRADE:15) OR AN ASSOCIATE GENERAL COUNSEL (GRADE: 16), AND CAN BE EXPECTED TO BE FILLED AT THE RESPECTIVE LEVELS DEPENDING ON QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE.

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THE POSITIONS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR HYBRID OR IN-PERSON WORK SCHEDULE.

POSITION SUMMARY

Assists the General Counsel of the University in providing legal services to the University community and the University President and Board of Trustees as may be required. Performs standard legal work and/or participates in the performance of wide-ranging, fast-paced, and complex legal work involving multiple stakeholders to include such areas as governance and open meetings, research and sponsored programs, policy review, legal compliance issues, contract reviews, real property, employment, labor, intellectual property, privacy and confidentiality, complex transactions, student affairs, athletics, public records, purchasing, civil rights, and academic affairs. Participates and/or assists in the conduct of litigation as assigned.

Duties and Responsibilities

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification at the direction of the General Counsel. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties and responsibilities required of employees assigned to the job.

Essential Functions:

• Review and maintain currency with laws, rules, and regulations affecting higher education and changes to University policy and keep current with legal implications of those changes. Anticipate, identify, and help to resolve legal and strategic risk management issues.

• Provide well-rounded expert advice to management in order to develop legal strategies and solutions.

• Draft and review policies and procedures, regulations, bylaws, and other documents within legal specialty areas.

• Research and analyze laws and regulations and prepare legal documents that include memoranda and correspondence.

• Educate and train the University community about legal issues.

• The Asst. General Counsel will be expected to conduct legal research and analysis. Prepare written and verbal opinions of counsel as needed. Associate General Counsel will be expected to do all prior roles listed in addition to supervising these responsibilities of others.

• Review, prepare, and approve for legal sufficiency contracts, including form and template agreements.

• Coordinate legal services to departments and divisions within areas of legal specialty.

• Represent the University before agencies, boards, committees, commissions, and courts in administrative hearings and litigation and/or oversee such representation.

• Negotiate settlements involving legal issues or transactions on behalf of the University in conjunction with other University officials and Assistant General Counsel will consult other attorneys within the Office of the General Counsel.

• Associate General Counsel will supervise support staff, law student interns or externs, and/or outside counsel on a project basis.

• Represent the Office of the General Counsel at meetings and on committees, task forces, and work groups as assigned.

• Assist the General Counsel by providing client-focused and mission-oriented legal services to the departments, colleges, officials, and employees of the University and perform such other and related duties as directed by the General Counsel.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Perform other related duties as required.

LICENSES, TOOLS, AND EQUIPMENT:

Individually assigned computers, printers; word processing, spreadsheet, and database software; Westlaw and other online legal research platforms.

License to practice law in the state of Rhode Island and be a member of the Rhode Island Bar Association at the time of appointment, or eligible and willing to obtain such admission if also a member in good standing of the bar of any other state and eligible to register with the Rhode Island Supreme Court as an "in-house counsel".

Required Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

REQUIRED:

1. Graduation from an accredited law school.

2. License to practice law in the state of Rhode Island and be a member of the Rhode Island Bar Association at the time of appointment, or eligible and willing to obtain such admission if also a member in good standing of the bar of any other state and eligible to register with the Rhode Island Supreme Court as an "in-house counsel."

3. Candidates being considered for the Asst. General Counsel should have a minimum of three years relevant experience as a practicing attorney, or two years of direct relevant experience representing a large university, public sector entity, or similarly complex organization or institution. Candidates being considered for Assoc. General Counsel should have a minimum of five years relevant experience as a practicing attorney, or three years of direct relevant experience representing a large university, public sector entity, or similarly complex organization or institution.

4. Experience in legal research and writing.

5. Written, oral, negotiation, and presentation skills, including the ability to provide clear, practical, risk-informed legal advice.

6. Ability to work effectively with a wide range of institutional stakeholders, including governing bodies, senior leaders, administrators, faculty, staff, and external parties.

7. Collaborative and flexible work style, and willingness to take on a broad range of responsibilities.

8. Ability to independently manage a substantial and diverse legal portfolio and prioritize competing demands in a fast paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

PREFERRED:

1. Experience providing legal counsel to institution(s) of higher education.

2. Experience in one or more legal areas commonly encountered at public research universities, such as employment law, labor relations, civil rights, constitutional protections, academic affairs, student affairs, athletics, research compliance, data privacy, procurement, or real estate.

3. Proficiency in utilizing traditional and emerging technologies, such as legal research, matter management, workflow automation, and practice tools.

4. Candidates being considered for Assoc. General counsel: Experience developing or implementing process improvements that increase efficiency, consistency, and client service within a legal environment.

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EEO Statement:

URI is unwavering in its commitment to equal opportunity, community, equity, and diversity. In furtherance of its mission to serve and support all learners as the state's public flagship university, URI continues to expand efforts to recruit and retain a broadly representative workforce as well as to regularly evaluate the effectiveness of those efforts. All employment decisions, including hiring, are made without regard to protected status. Qualified individuals with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation by contacting the URI benefits office at 401-874-2416. For TTY assistance, contact R.I. Relay Services at 711.

Environmental Conditions

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

This position is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

Posting Date 08/26/2026 Closing Date Special Instructions to Applicants

Please attach the following 2 (PDF) documents to your online Employment Application:

(#1) Cover letter.

(#2) Resume.

Note: References will be upon request by the search committee.

Quicklink for Posting https://jobs.uri.edu/postings/16913