Job Description

Job Summary:

Generalist attorney position in the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) responsible for providing legal advice, counsel, and representation concerning general higher education law matters regarding the University's President's Office, its Amherst, Boston, Dartmouth, Lowell, Westborough, and Worcester campuses and offices, and UMass Global. The Associate Counsel - Generalist will be based at the UMass Amherst campus.

Essential Functions:

• Provide legal advice, counsel, representation, and assistance to University system and campus officers, administrators, and employees in a timely manner, regarding state and federal laws and regulations and University business matters, policies, practices, and procedures.


• Advise on questions and issues affecting University governance, business, and compliance including, but not limited to, procurement, civil rights, student affairs, employment, ethics, privacy, public records, and real estate. Collaborate and interact with colleagues in the OGC as well as campus and system employees on projects, training, advisories, policies, and compliance matters.


• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts and draft and review letters, settlements, memoranda of understanding, training materials, and policies.


• Advise and assist in investigation of internal or external employee complaints. Represent University and its employees in non-litigation matters before state and federal administrative agencies.


• Demonstrate excellent written and oral communication and inter-personal skills and the ability to engage with senior administration, managers, supervisors, and employees.


• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, the ability to work independently, and the ability to handle a variety of matters with varying deadlines.

Other Functions:

• Work with outside counsel or consultants on University legal matters.


• Use various facets of OGC case management system and related technology.


• Assure appropriate retention of legal office records.


• Assist with hiring of new employees or interns and evaluation of supervisees.


• Oversee work of support staff and legal interns.


• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience):

• J.D. and licensure in Massachusetts.


• No less than five and preferably more than ten years of legal experience, preferably involving higher education, government, business and/or employment matters.


• Excellent writing and communication skills, ability to manage multiple matters, and the ability to work with a variety of personal styles and people.


• Creative thinking, problem solving, decision-making, self-motivation, and a collaborative style are necessary attributes for this position.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience):

• Interest in learning new areas of law.


• Interest in developing superior communication and mediation skills.


• Interest in engaging in continued professional development through internal and external means.

Working Conditions:

Standard office work place located in Amherst with some travel, as necessary, to Boston and Westborough offices, UMass campuses or other in-state agency and/or other locations; very occasional out of state travel.

Additional Details:

Salary commensurate with experience up to $160,000.

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