Job Summary

Works in the Office of the Vice President for Legal Affairs, under limited supervision, to provide legal counsel and resolve general legal issues (excluding medical risk management and healthcare regulatory matters) arising within an academic medical center.

APPLY HERE

Experience and Education

Minimum Qualifications

J. D. degree and license to practice law in Texas required;  Minimum of four consecutive years of experience actively engaged in the practice of law required.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Previous employment law experience;
  • Previous litigation practice and case management experience;
  • Previous experience in higher education, at a state agency, in healthcare, or at an academic medical center.

Job Duties

  • General Advice and Counsel – review, analyze and advise the University administration, individual schools, and basic sciences and clinical departments concerning legal matters that arise in the medical and educational setting (e.g., employment-related issues; tort claims; collection cases; disciplinary actions; interpretation and application of laws, policies and regulations; and, other general matters).  Identify issues appropriately handled by Legal Affairs and refer other issues to the correct departments within the institution.
  • Litigation Management – manage all claims and lawsuits (other than medical malpractice) filed against the institution and its employees, including pre-litigation investigation, document preservation and discovery practice, preparing for and attending depositions, motions practice, hearing preparation, mediation, trial preparation, and appeals; assist the Office of General Counsel at UT System and the Attorney General in every aspect of lawsuits; assist with the University’s response to complaints, charges or investigations from external agencies (e.g., EEOC, TWC, DOL, DOE).
  • Employment Issues – advise on a variety of employment issues, including internal complaints and investigations, disciplinary actions, grievances and appeals, and compliance with applicable laws, regulations and policies (FMLA, FLSA, ADA, Texas Labor Code, etc.).
  • Policy Development and Training – advise on new and existing policy initiatives; draft, review and revise institutional and departmental policies and procedures; develop and provide training on a broad range of legal issues in areas such as policy, employment law, education law, and compliance.
  • Student and Trainee Issues – review and analyze legal issues arising within the medical, graduate and health professions schools; advise administration regarding student disciplinary actions and internal grievances, hearings and appeals.
  • Business Issues – review and analyze legal issues arising within University business areas including but not limited to Business Affairs, Information Resources, Audit, Technology Development, Real Estate, Conflict of Interest, Contracts Management and Safety & Business Continuity.
  • Tort Claims – process pre-litigation tort claims involving the University in accordance with the Texas Tort Claims Act; coordinate the submission of insurance claims to insurers and collection of sums from either insurers or individuals for the repair of damage to University property.
  • Committee Membership/Counsel – serve on or advise institutional committees in areas such as conflicts of interest, research, policy, compliance, safety, etc.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Work requires broad legal knowledge and the ability to efficiently analyze and respond to a wide range of legal needs.
  • Work requires proficiency in issue identification, legal research and writing, and the ability to coordinate effectively with multiple persons to accomplish departmental and institutional goals.
  • Work requires strong written and oral communication skills.
  • Work requires ability to function both independently and in team-oriented environment.
  • Work requires telephone, e-mail, and personal contact with all levels of internal and external personnel and organizations.
  • Work requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage a large volume of legal work effectively.

Working Conditions

Work is performed primarily in a general office area.

Security

This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT

Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information.

Salary

Salary Negotiable

This position is security-sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of Texas Education Code §51.215.

UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. In accordance with federal and state law, the University prohibits unlawful discrimination, including harassment, on the basis of: race; color; religion; national origin; sex; including sexual harassment; age; disability; genetic information; citizenship status; and protected veteran status. In addition, it is UT Southwestern policy to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.