Job Details

INTRODUCTION

This position reports directly to the Associate Vice President for Legal Affairs and University Deputy General Counsel and is responsible for the provision of legal advice and services to University executives and operating units with emphasis on land use and transactional matters.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Legal Services

• Provides legal services to the Board of Regents, executives, administrators, and the staff of the University.
• Provides legal services to University officers, administrators and designated representatives on legal or related matters, including but not limited to matters relating to land use and real property transactions.
• Reviews and/or approves contracts and agreements as to legality and form, including but not limited to those relating to acquisition or transfer of interests in land, and makes recommendations for approval of legal documents.
• Drafts and provides advice about business transaction documents relating to University operations.
• Furnishes legal opinions as requested by the Board of Regents and senior level executives, including legal memoranda and opinions.
• Performs legal research and analyses.
• Prepares and assists with review and approval of contracts and agreements, and makes recommendations for approval of legal documents.
• Assists with the drafting of rules, policies and procedures.
• Provides training on legal matters to University administrators, staff and designated representatives.
• Attends Board of Regents meetings, as appropriate, to provide information, case summaries, status reports of specific matters, etc.
• Advises and counsels executives and managers on matters involving laws of state-wide concern, such as compliance (including Title IX), State appropriations, Procurement Code, Ethics Code, Sunshine Law, open records law, and administrative rulemaking and contested cases.
• As appropriate, drafts testimony and testifies before State legislative committees and meets with Legislators on legislative proposals affecting the University.
• Interfaces with federal agencies, including with respect to University research. Meets regularly with clients to prepare for negotiations, proceedings, and business transactions.

Representation in Courts, Administrative Hearings, and Legal Proceedings

• Assists with representing the University in federal and state court in all litigation matters.
• Represents the University in matters with external agencies, including but not limited to administrative hearings and proceedings before the boards or commissions of various State agencies, such as the State Land Use Commission, Board of Land and Natural Resources, or Board of Agriculture, or federal agencies funding research.

Other Related Duties

• Maintains case records/statistics.
• Keeps abreast of current case law and legal developments.
• Keeps abreast of University policies and procedures; federal laws, rules, regulations, codes, and executive orders; State statutes, rules and executive directives.
• Keeps the Vice President for Legal Affairs and University General Counsel apprised of significant cases, risks and projects.
• Attends meetings with the President of the University, Board of Regents and University executives.
• Provides status reports and responds to inquiries.
• Performs other duties as may be assigned

Minimum Qualification Requirements

1. Law degree from an accredited school of law.
2. Admission to the Hawai‘i State Bar, and license to practice in the Federal District Court.
3. Five years experience as a licensed attorney. Experience must have included land use, including environmental and land use entitlements, and transactional work.
4. Ability to communicate effectively with diverse constituents in higher education.
5. Ability to work effectively and independently and to take directions from supervisor and clients.
6. Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally on diverse subject matters both in legal and academic settings.
7. Ability to research, analyze, write about, and present legal issues and concepts in a clear, concise manner.
8. Progressive responsibility for contract review and drafting and advice on business transactions, as well as real estate transactions and documentation.
9. Familiarity with State laws and legislative processes affecting public agencies in State of Hawaii.
10. Ability to work as part of a team to provide quality legal services.

Desirable Qualifications

1. Experience in legal issues facing public institutions of higher learning, including but not limited to issues regarding sponsored research, FERPA, CLERY, Title IX, sponsored research, Sunshine Law, open records law, Procurement Code, Ethics Code, rulemaking and contested cases, limits on public fund expenditure, cybersecurity, contract administration, conflicts of interest, Native Hawaiian matters, student affairs, athletics, intellectual property, academic freedom, promotion and tenure, university foundation-related matters, and emerging related subject matters.
2. Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Adobe Acrobat and Google Workspace is extremely desirable.