Senior Counsel, Litigation

Department Overview

UC Legal - Office of the General Counsel (UCL) provides legal services to the university, including representation, advice, research and training. We also provide legal opinions to the Board of Regents, administration, faculty, staff and others acting on the university's behalf. We report jointly to the Board of Regents and the President.

The Senior Counsel, Core Litigation oversees outside counsel and directly handles various types of litigation and adversarial proceedings involving the University, both independently and in collaboration with more senior attorneys. The emphasis will be on: direct handling of third‑party subpoenas for records and testimony, workplace violence restraining orders, internal administrative hearings and the petitions challenging those decisions, and California Public Records Act proceedings;

negotiation of contract disputes; pursuing affirmative litigation and claims on behalf of the University; and defending the University against litigation. The attorney may be involved in multiple phases of litigation, including trial, appeal, and representation of University witnesses in depositions. The position involves providing advice on legal issues affecting all campuses, medical centers, the Office of the President and the University at‑large, including assisting with the development of effective compliance and risk mitigation strategies to facilitate the University's complex operations.

This position does not handle matters that are covered by the University's employment, general liability, and medical malpractice insurance programs. The position requires the ability to handle complex and challenging legal matters, litigation and projects.

The position demands that the successful candidate be able to efficiently provide actionable and practical advice based on sophisticated interpretation of facts and law in an atmosphere of ambiguity. The position may require the provision of functional advice, training, and/or guidance to less experienced attorneys or paralegals, and participation in the review, revision and establishment of University‑wide policies and procedures. The position will require management and oversight of outside counsel.

The successful candidate will need to be able to work both independently with minimal supervision, and collaborate with other attorneys on the Litigation team, as well as attorneys in other practice groups.

80% Core Legal Services

• Establishes effective relationships with key internal and external constituencies.
• Recognizes strategic needs of organization and proactively builds relationships with appropriate stakeholders to ensure successful outcomes.
• Serves as a trusted strategic partner with University business units providing practical advice and alternative solutions to business issues.
• Works with colleagues at the Office of the President or campus/medical center locations to develop and modify practices and procedures to conform with changing legal requirements.
• Provides expertise, advice, and counsel on complex legal matters in civil litigation.
• Directly negotiates matters on behalf of The Regents.
• Manages and oversees outside counsel, and/or directly represents the University in litigation and internal administrative proceedings.
• Develops objectives and ensures service according to established priorities.
• Independently or in collaboration with more senior attorneys handles a wide range of legal matters and projects.
• Represents institutional concerns persuasively to internal and external parties.

15% Compliance and Resource Management

• Delegates work effectively to maximize efficiencies.
• Makes recommendations concerning areas of work to perform in‑house versus payment for an outside firm.
• Ensures accurate record keeping in compliance with UC Legal data quality protocols.
• Compliance with delegations of authority for committing University funds.

5% Leadership

• Provides functional advice, training and/or guidance and effectively mentors less experienced attorneys or paralegals.
• Provides clear expectations and mentors legal support staff to meet expected levels of productivity and accuracy.