Legal Counsel - Office of the President

POSITION DETAILS

Medgar Evers College (CUNY), a four-year culturally diverse institution birthed out of the Black community of Central Brooklyn, is rooted in social justice, dedicated to increasing the upward mobility of its students and producing graduates who are civically engaged and prepared to provide leadership to address issues from local to global concern. It does so through Rigorous curricula, Innovative teaching and learning practices, Scholarship, and Experiential learning (RISE).The College is named after Medgar Wiley Evers, who was assassinated in 1963 in Jackson, Mississippi, advocating for the rights of others, He was truly a social justice warrior.

The College seeks a dynamic leader with proven expertise in providing legal guidance on a wide range of challenging issues, including, but not limited to: litigation, employment and labor law, compliance and contractual agreements, governance, fundraising, and immigration. The Legal Counsel reports directly to the President and will have wide latitude for independent judgment. The Legal Counsel also serves as the College's campus Ethics Officer and Records Access Officer, and as the College?s liaison to the University's Office of Legal Affairs.

As Legal Counsel, responsibilities will include:

• Serving as senior legal advisor to the President and members of the Executive Cabinet.
• Providing legal support to all levels of Medgar Evers College management, faculty, and staff.
• Administration and interpretation of the University By-Laws, University and College policies and procedures, College governance charter, and various collective bargaining agreements.
• Providing legal opinions to the President, management, and employees on legal matters such as conflicts of interest, personnel issues, collections, intellectual property, and student and administrative issues.
• Negotiating, drafting, editing, and reviewing a wide range of proposed, pending, and renewal contracts, including agreements with donors, suppliers, and internal and external business partners.
• Responding to policy and procedural inquiries from various college, university, and government officials.
• Reviewing subpoenas and requests for information under the Public Information Act.
• Developing effective and persuasive legal and transactional correspondence and documents.
• Ensuring compliance with promotional and tenure standards and multiple position policy promulgated by the City University of New York.
• Providing time-sensitive reports and information to external sources such as the New York Commission on Public Integrity.
• Working with CUNY's Office of the General Counsel in managing and supporting litigation and administrative cases involving College officers, faculty, and employees.
• Assisting appropriate University, College, and other State and Federal officials in maintaining compliance with EEO, ADEA, ADA, Title VI, Title VII, and Title IX.
• Conducting investigations and advising on compliance issues.
• Performing other related duties as assigned by the President.

QUALIFICATIONS

This position is in CUNY's Executive Compensation Plan. All executive positions require a minimum of a Bachelor's degree and eight years' related experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

Candidates must have a JD, be admitted to the N.Y. State Bar, and have at least eight years of related experience, preferably in a higher education environment. The successful candidate will have excellent communication, interpersonal, conflict resolution, and organizational skills as well as excellent judgment.

CUNY TITLE

Administrator

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

$163,000 - $171,360

Salary commensurate with education and experience.

CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, go to www.cuny.edu, access the employment page, log in or create a new user account, and search for this vacancy using the Job ID 17809 or Title. Select "Apply Now" and provide the requested information.

CLOSING DATE

Open until filled with review of resumes to begin on 03/27/2026

JOB SEARCH CATEGORY

CUNY Job Posting: Executive

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.

Job ID: 31731

Location: Medgar Evers College

About CUNY Medgar Evers College

Medgar Evers College was founded as a result of collaborative efforts by community leaders, elected officials, the Chancellor and the Board of Higher Education of The City University of New York. The College, named after the civil rights leader, Medgar Evers, was established in 1969 with a mandate to meet the educational and social needs of Central Brooklyn in New York City. The College is committed to the fulfillment of this mandate. In keeping with the philosophy of The City University and Medgar Evers College, we believe that education is the right of all individuals in the pursuit of self actualization. Consequently, the College's mission is to develop and maintain high quality, professional, career oriented undergraduate degree programs in the context of liberal education. The College offers programs both at the baccalaureate and at the associate degree levels, giving close attention to the articulation between the two year and the four year programs. The College has a commitment to students who desire self improvement, a sound education, an opportunity to develop a personal value system, and an opportunity to gain maximum benefits from life experience and from their environment.

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