University Counsel and Assistant Secretary to the Board of Trustees

Responsibilities

• Serve as the chief legal officer, providing strategic guidance and counsel to the President, Board of Trustees, and senior leadership.
• Provide expert legal opinions on matters including statutory compliance, employment law, student affairs, contracts, real estate, and tax matters.
• Advise the Board of Trustees on nonprofit law, fiduciary duties, and governance practices.
• Act as Assistant Secretary to the Board by preparing and maintaining accurate meeting minutes and supporting Board committees.
• Manage the university's contract lifecycle, including drafting, negotiating, and overseeing various institutional agreements.
• Identify and mitigate legal and reputational risks while managing outside counsel for specialized litigation or claims.
• Develop and implement institutional policies, bylaws, and regulations to ensure legal compliance.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited institution.
• 7–10 years of progressively responsible legal experience.
• Membership in good standing with the Wisconsin State Bar, or eligibility to obtain licensure within 12 months of hire.
• Demonstrated experience in higher education law within a university setting or serving higher education clients.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in managing complex contract review systems.
• Proven ability to deliver training and educational programming on legal topics and risk mitigation to campus stakeholders.
• Strong negotiation and analytical capabilities with a high degree of professional discretion.

About the Company

Lawrence University is a private liberal arts institution located in Appleton, Wisconsin, dedicated to advancing its academic mission through excellence in teaching and learning.