Deputy General Counsel

Job Title

Deputy General Counsel

Department

General Counsel

Worker Type

Regular

Pay Type

Salary

Position Salary Minimum

$180,000

Position Salary Maximum

$200,000

Salary will be commensurate with the level of the position, education, and experience.

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Benefit Eligible

Yes

Screening Date

2026-04-17

Job Description Summary

The Deputy General Counsel serves as a high-level legal advisor and strategic partner to the institution’s leadership. Reporting to the Vice President & General Counsel, this role provides comprehensive legal support across a broad spectrum of higher education issues, with specific oversight of student affairs and civil rights compliance, as well as employment and labor relations. The Deputy General Counsel assists the Vice President & General Counsel in managing the legal affairs of the institution, mitigating risk, and ensuring that university policies align with evolving state and federal mandates. This position will work closely with the Office of Human Resources, Office of Student Life, and Academic Affairs. The successful candidate will be a person of unimpeachable integrity who possesses not only the ability to work in a fast-paced legal environment, but also has an abundance of good humor.

Job Description

• Legal Advisory & Strategy: Provide high-level legal advice to senior management, deans, and academic units on complex matters affecting the university.

• Contract Negotiation & Risk Management: Draft, review, and negotiate high-value contracts (e.g., union negotiations, research partnerships, technology licensing, real estate leases, and vendor agreements).

• University Representation: Represents the university in negotiations, mediations, and proceedings as necessary, including proceedings before various local, state, and federal agencies and courts. Communicates and interfaces with attorneys representing potential litigants and complainants having disputes with the University.

• Compliance & Policy Development: Oversee institutional compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, including employment law, athletic regulations, research integrity, and student affairs.

• Litigation & Outside Counsel Management: Direct litigation, administrative hearings, and dispute resolution; manage outside counsel billing and strategies.

Remote work is not available for this position.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school.

• Licensure: Active membership in the Ohio State Bar (or eligibility for immediate admission).

• Experience: A minimum of 7–10 years of legal practice, preferably with a focus on higher education law or public sector representation handling employment and labor relations matters.

Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Strategic Judgment: The ability to provide legal advice that considers both legal risk and the institution's educational mission.

• Communication: Exceptional writing skills and the ability to explain complex legal concepts to non-legal stakeholders (Deans, Faculty, Board Members).

• Conflict Resolution: A calm, diplomatic approach to navigating high-stakes disputes and sensitive investigations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge and experience interpreting and applying civil rights, equal employment opportunity, Title IX, and Title VI laws and regulations, and First Amendment jurisprudence

• Legal experience with college/university issues

• Experience in assisting clients in policy formulation

• Ability to manage litigation and multiple, ongoing, and complex matters

• Prior litigation experience

Additional Position Information (if applicable)

Required Application Documents

resume/CV, cover letter

Special Instructions (if applicable)

None

Additional Information

A criminal background check is required. All campuses are smoke- and tobacco-free campuses.

This organization participates in E-Verify.

Remote Work
For positions that are approved for remote work: Remote work is not a right, it is a work arrangement that can be modified or revoked by Miami University at any time for any reason, including the convenience of the University.

Reasonable Accommodations
Requests for reasonable accommodations for disabilities related to employment should be directed to [email protected] or 513-529-3560. Questions and follow-ups regarding requests should also be directed here.

Miami University Values Statement
Miami University is a scholarly community whose members believe that a liberal education is grounded in qualities of character as well as of intellect. We respect the dignity of other persons, the rights and property of others, and the right of others to hold and express disparate beliefs. We believe in honesty, integrity, and the importance of moral conduct. We defend the freedom of inquiry that is the heart of learning and combine that freedom with the exercise of judgment and the acceptance of personal responsibility.

For more information on Miami University’s mission and core values, please visit the Mission and Core Values webpage.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Statement
Miami University, an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, encourages applications from protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Miami University prohibits harassment, discrimination and retaliation on the basis of age (40 years or older), color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin (ancestry), pregnancy, race, religion, sex/gender, status as a parent or foster parent, sexual orientation, or protected veteran status in its application and admission processes, educational programs and activities, facilities, programs or employment practices. Requests for reasonable accommodations for disabilities related to employment should be directed to [email protected] or 513-529-3560.

Clery Act
As part of the University’s commitment to maintaining a healthy and safe living, learning, and working environment, we encourage you to read Miami University’s Annual Security & Fire Safety Report at: , which contains information about campus safety, crime statistics, and our drug and alcohol abuse and prevention program designed to prevent the unlawful possession, use, and distribution of drugs and alcohol on campus and at university events and activities. This report also contains information on programs and policies designed to prevent and address sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. Each year, email notification of this website is made to all faculty, staff, and enrolled students. Written notification is also provided to prospective students and employees. Hard copies of the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report may be obtained from the Miami University Police Department at 513-529-2223.

Labor Law Posters for Applicants

Please visit our Labor Law Posters webpage to access all relevant and applicable labor law information.