Practice Group Leader- Litigation & Contested Matters; Office of Sr. Vice President & General C

Practice Group Leader – Litigation & Contested Matters

We are seeking a Practice Group Leader – Litigation & Contested Matters, who will serve as the University's principal legal authority for all litigation, employment law, and contested matters, including labor relations and union negotiations. Reporting directly to the Deputy General Counsel, within the Office of the General Counsel, this position functions as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and a strategic partner across the institution, balancing legal risk, institutional values, and mission‑driven priorities.

As Practice Group Leader, the role oversees a team of attorneys and develops legal strategy aligned with and attuned to the scale, complexity, and risk profile typical of top‑tier research universities and academic medical centers.

• Serve as the University's senior legal advisor on all litigation, investigations, and contested matters, including employment and other disputes.
• Develop and execute proactive litigation and investigations strategies aligned with institutional risk tolerance and strategic objectives.
• Advise senior leadership on high‑risk, high‑impact matters, including investigations, employment disputes, labor relations, and union negotiations.
• Anticipate emerging legal risks and trends affecting higher education, healthcare, and research institutions.

• Oversee all phases of litigation, including strategy development, case management, settlement negotiations, and coordination with outside counsel.
• Lead the University's employment law practice, including compliance, investigations, disciplinary matters, and dispute resolution.
• Serve as lead counsel and strategic advisor in union negotiations and labor‑management relations.
• Ensure consistent, equitable, and legally sound employment practices across decentralized academic and administrative units.

• Lead, mentor, and manage attorneys within the Litigation and Contested Matters practice group.
• Set clear expectations, priorities, and performance standards for the team.
• Foster a collaborative, high‑performing legal practice that emphasizes responsiveness, professional judgment, and institutional partnership.
• Manage resources and outside counsel relationships to ensure cost‑effective, high‑quality legal services.

• Build strong, trusted relationships with Human Resources, Finance, academic leadership, compliance, risk management, and other key partners.
• Serve as a bridge between legal counsel and institutional stakeholders, translating complex legal issues into clear, actionable guidance.
• Promote consistent communication and alignment across decentralized units.

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Admission to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction; ability to obtain admission in Maryland within six months if not already licensed in Maryland.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible legal experience, with substantial experience in:
  • Complex litigation
  • Investigations
  • Employment law
• Demonstrated experience leading or managing attorneys or legal teams.
• Proven ability to advise senior executives on sensitive, high‑stakes matters.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex legal concepts clearly and persuasively.
• Strong strategic judgment, discretion, and problem‑solving skills.
• Additional education may substitute for required experience, and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond a high school diploma/graduation equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

• Experience in higher education, academic medical centers, or similarly complex, regulated environments.
• Prior experience serving as a practice group leader, senior law firm lawyer, or in a senior in‑house counsel role.
• Deep familiarity with employment law in unionized environments.
• Experience in managing outside counsel and controlling litigation costs.
• Demonstrated success in building collaborative…