Vice President, Legal Services

Henry Ford College presents an opportunity for Vice President of Legal Services/General Counsel.

The Vice President of Legal Services/General Counsel interacts with and provides legal counsel to the College through its Board of Trustees, President and all levels of the administration in numerous areas, including governance, business, employment, contracts, student affairs, intellectual property, grants, and collaborations with external entities.   Legal services provided by the General Counsel include providing legal advice, counsel, and training to College administrators and employees; assisting in the development of College policy and procedures; advising regarding sensitive employment matters; reviewing contracts and other legal documents; securing and coordinating the services of outside legal counsel when necessary for litigation and matters requiring legal specialization; and helping to resolve complaints, disputes, claims, and litigation.  The General Counsel may also serve on, or provide assistance to, the negotiating team in contract negotiations.

Special Instructions: Interested applicants please refer to the Additional information section at the bottom of this posting for application submission directions. The most successful candidate will have a career that reflects the following competencies and qualifications.

• Experience: Minimum 7-10 years legal experience.

• Education: Juris Doctorate

• Licensure: A successful applicant must be licensed to practice law in at least one United States jurisdiction and may be required to seek admission to the State Bar of Michigan.

• Unquestionable Integrity: Contributes to maintaining the integrity of the organization; displays high standards of ethical conduct and understands the impact of violating these standards on an organization, self, and others; is trustworthy.

• Strong Interpersonal Skills: Shows understanding, respect, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences.

• Ability to Encourage Resolution: Makes healthy use of conflict and disagreement to promote learning and expand team perspectives; encourages parties to work together towards problem resolution; works with parties to identify a range of acceptable solutions; when appropriate, proposes effective compromises that aim to recognize each parties' needs; ensures mutual commitment to a solution.

• Teamwork: Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.

• Accountability: Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results.  Determines objectives, sets priorities, and delegates work as appropriate.  Accepts responsibility for mistakes.  Complies with established control systems and rules.

The ideal candidate will have a career and experience that includes the following:

• Current knowledge of Title IX , the Americans with Disabilities Act, and other higher-education institution governing regulations, including agency/regulatory, judicial, and legislative interpretations of related institutional obligations.

• Experience negotiating and/or interpreting collective bargaining agreements.

• Proven problem solving, mediation, and decision making skills.

• Experience conducting or directing legally sufficient complex internal investigations.

• Experience working with diverse populations.

• Commitment to continuous quality improvement efforts both organizationally and individually.

• Demonstrated ability to provide effective leadership in a collaborative and team based environment.

• Experience in budget planning and monitoring.

• Demonstrated computer/information technology skills.

• High level of energy, creativity, enthusiasm and motivation.

• Ability to manage multiple projects and address changing priorities.

• Experience focused on higher education and/or labor and employment law, particularly in a higher education setting.

• Advise the President and Board of Trustees on legal and governance matters and render legal opinions as requested.

• Regularly inform the President of matters regarded as highly visible, sensitive or which expose the College to legal risk or liability.

• Manage day-to-day institutional legal issues.

• Consult with Executive Officers regarding legal issues, including contract, student, employee and union issues.

• Serve as advisor to the College regarding a broad range of initiatives as well as problems which may not be primarily legal in nature but which have potential legal implications for the institution.

• Conduct and /or refer investigations to the appropriate departments and provide legal counsel regarding sensitive ethics violations, whistleblower complaints,  and/or complex charges of alleged discrimination or harassment filed within the College or when filed with the federal, state and local government.  Recommend appropriate resolution.

• When necessary, negotiate conciliation agreements.

• Coordinate the College's legal services and serve as the College's primary contact with external law firms selected to represent the College.

• Serve on Behavioral Intervention Team as an advisor.

• Conduct legal review of college policies and procedures and ensure legal compliance with appropriate laws and statutes.

• Manage formal dispute proceedings either as General Counsel or through selected use of outside counsel with subject matter expertise.  Dispute forums may include but are not not limited to: federal and state courts, arbitrations, mediations, administrative hearings, agency matters and other.

• Provide advice on Board policies and bylaws, as well as federal and state agency compliance issues (OSHA, Clery, etc.).

• Responsible for all legal aspects of the collective bargaining processes.   Assist with collective bargaining as required.

• Provide guidance in interpreting and administering college collective bargaining agreements.

• Respond to any interrogatories or inquires from external agencies such as the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, Michigan Attorney General, federal Office of Civil Rights, EEOC.

• Investigate and respond to agency complaints. Maintain records of filed complaints and institutional responses and oversee investigations of sexual harassment and allegations of discrimination. Ensure coordination between appropriate campus departments and trends on campus and address any patterns or systemic problems.

• Coordinate and provide advice regarding communications to individuals regarding their Title IX rights, the College's formal and informal grievance processes, and the availability of interim measures during an investigation of a grievance. Conduct periodic reviews of all Title IX complaints and any other grievance procedures to identify and address any patterns or systemic problems. Communicate with Human Resources and Campus Safety regarding HFCs obligations under Title IX and serve as a resource on Title IX issues.

• Serve as the college's resource to review all contracts such as, but not limited to, financial, operational, and academic. Develop process to review all contracts prior to execution.  Manage central contract review system and provide legal advice on contractual issues. Ensure current agreements are compliant with current law and statutes.

• Maintain a State Bar of Michigan attorney license (or license in another state) in good standing, remain competent and knowledgeable by maintaining membership in the State of Michigan Bar Association (or other state bar) and the National Association of College and University Attorneys, subscribing to trade publications, attending professional conferences, and participating in College-wide planning and strategic activities.

• Maintain highest level of confidentiality in carrying out all duties

Application and Nomination Information:

All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. To apply for the Vice President of Legal Services/General Counsel position please send a completed application package to VPLegalSearch@hfcc.edu.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the posting closes on May 17, 2024 at 5:00 pm (EST).  For full consideration, all materials must be received by the closing date and time.  

Completed applications will include:

• Resume or curriculum vitae

• Position-specific cover letter

• Unofficial transcripts

Confidential nominations for this position may be emailed to VPLegalSearch@hfcc.edu.   Inquiries about the Vice President of Legal Services/General Counsel search may be directed to Dr. Lori Gonko, Vice President of Strategy & Human Resources at VPLegalSearch@hfcc.edu.

Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact the Henry Ford College Office of Human Resources at 313-845-9820.