General Counsel

Position Summary

Purpose:

Reporting to the MCC President, the General Counsel (GC) plays a vital role as the chief legal strategist and senior advisor on all legal matters impacting MCC. This executive position is responsible for steering MCC through the complex legal landscape of higher education, ensuring compliance, and safeguarding the institution’s integrity and reputation. The GC role demands a collaborative and experienced legal expert who can navigate the myriad legal challenges facing modern educational institutions, ranging from regulatory compliance, labor and employment issues, litigation, contract law, governance, and policy development.

As a key member of the President’s cabinet, the GC is instrumental in shaping legal and policy decisions that influence MCC’s strategic direction and operational effectiveness. This position requires not only a deep understanding of the law as it applies to higher education but also a keen awareness of how legal decisions can impact MCC’s broader mission, values and resources.

The ideal candidate will bring a proactive, forward-thinking approach to the legal function, providing innovative solutions to complex legal issues while fostering a culture of compliance and ethical decision-making across MCC. Supervisory Responsibility:
The GC position holds primary supervisory responsibility for a paralegal/administrative assistant and may oversee the work of work-study students and/or temporary employees involved in legal projects.

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Minimum 15 years of progressive legal experience, with at least 10 years of employment and labor law experience.
• Must be licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Proven leadership skills in managing complex legal issues, preferably in a dynamic academic environment.
• Demonstrated legal technology (Legal Tech) competencies including knowledge of legal research platforms, e-discovery tools, cybersecurity awareness, data analytics, and awareness of AI in legal practice.

Full-time