Careers at Mercer

General Counsel and Secretary to the Corporation

Office of the General Counsel

General University

22-263

Macon, GA

Full-time

Administrative

Job Summary:

Mercer University seeks a thoughtful and knowledgeable attorney with demonstrated sound judgment and problem-solving skills to serve as its next General Counsel and Secretary to the Corporation. The General Counsel is responsible for the coordination and supervision of all legal matters involving the University and its affiliated entities as well as overseeing the attorneys who serve in the Office of General Counsel. The General Counsel reports to the Board of Trustees and the President and serves on the President’s Executive Committee.

Duties:

The Office of General Counsel is responsible for providing proactive legal advice and consultation on a wide range of legal-policy matters, compliance, crisis management, and risk management and provides a wide range of legal services. The General Counsel serves as the chief legal advisor to the Board of Trustees, the President, Vice Presidents, other senior administrators and affiliated entities.

Minimum Qualifications:

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced leader to join one of America’s premier student-centered, private research universities and play a key role in its continued success as one of the most influential universities in the South. The General Counsel serves as a trusted advisor to the Board of Trustees, the President and University leadership. The ideal candidate will bring a record that commands the respect of the University community. The next General Counsel and Secretary to the Corporation will possess the following:

• Juris Doctorate degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Member of the Georgia Bar or eligible to practice law in Georgia within one year or less.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible legal experience practicing law.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience in higher education, with a proven skill to oversee a team of lawyers and work collaboratively with the president's leadership team, deans and department chairs, across divisional boundaries.
• Broad and deep knowledge of the range of legal issues related to higher education law, including but not limited to employment and benefits, constitutional law, statutory and regulatory compliance, business, intellectual property, research/tech transfer, governance, cybersecurity and data protection, academic affairs and student life. This knowledge should be coupled with the ability to clearly communicate legal advice and options.
• Outstanding personal leadership, integrity and honesty. Servant leader – positive and collaborative spirit, serving, elevating and uplifting others.
• Superior interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to work well with people at all levels of an organization, across a diverse range of education and social backgrounds, and to demonstrate an honest respect for each individual.
• Outstanding leadership and management skills and the ability to lead the Office of General Counsel.

Yes

Yes

Yes

Commensurate with experience

Monthly

Exempt

Requested application materials include a 1) letter of interest; 2) curriculum vitae; and 3) list of five professional references.

Applicants should be prepared to answer the following questions:

1. Do you have a JD degree?
2. Do you have at least 10 years of legal experience?
3. Do you have any prior higher education experience?

AA/EEO/Veteran/Disability

Mercer University recognizes the power of a diverse community and encourages applications from individuals with varied experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds.

All faculty and staff, excluding student employees, on-call staff and adjunct faculty teaching online only, are required to have the COVID-19 vaccine or an approved medical or religious exemption by the University.  New hires will be required to provide their COVID-19 vaccination card or receive approval for a medical or religious exemption by the University before their first day of employment.