Associate or Senior Campus Counsel, Office of General Counsel

Posting Details

Position Information

Fiscal Year


Position Title
Associate or Senior Campus Counsel, Office of General Counsel

Classification Title
Associate Counsel

Department
Office of General Counsel

Posting Number
P260239

Posting Link
https://www.ubjobs.buffalo.edu/postings/65382

Employer
State

Bargaining Unit
13 - MC Professional

Position Type
M/C Professional

Professional Appointment Term
Administrative

Salary Grade
MP3

Posting Detail Information

Position Summary

The Associate or Senior Campus Counsel is a member of the State University of New York's (SUNY) Office of General Counsel (OGC) assigned to OGC's Buffalo regional office at the University at Buffalo (UB). Under the leadership of the Senior Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs and General Counsel, OGC provides legal services and support to the SUNY Board of Trustees, the Chancellor and senior officers at SUNY System Administration, and the presidents and administrators of SUNY's 29 state-operated campuses. OGC consists of more than 70 higher education attorneys, paralegals, and support staff at System Administration and in campus-based regional offices throughout the State.

The position provides legal advice and support to the University on litigation, labor and employment matters, administrative proceedings, investigations, related campus matters, and occasionally student matters. As a member of OGC's statewide legal team, the Associate or Senior Campus Counsel exercises significant independent judgment and works collaboratively with attorneys and staff at System Administration and OGC's other campus-based regional offices to coordinate the consistent delivery of legal services across SUNY. The attorney participates in OGC's Litigation & Labor Practice Group and other OGC meetings, trainings, and initiatives and may provide legal support on matters outside the attorney's primary portfolio as needed. OGC's practice spans public procurement, governance and ethics, health care, capital construction, public finance, labor and employment, litigation oversight, student affairs, real estate, research, regulatory compliance, and other areas affecting the University.

The position coordinates, as appropriate, legal services with separate counsel representing key university-related entities, including the University at Buffalo Foundation, the SUNY Research Foundation, UBMD and other affiliated or auxiliary organizations, and works with OGC colleagues and appropriate State agencies when matters require specialized, system-wide, or external review. The position reports to UB's Chief Campus Counsel.

Primary Responsibilities:

Labor, employment, and litigation matters

Provide legal advice and guidance on labor and employment matters, employee discipline, grievances, workplace investigations, litigation, administrative proceedings, and other complex or emerging legal issues affecting the University. Support the campus-side management of litigation and disputes and, as appropriate, advise on or handle labor arbitrations, grievances, investigations, and administrative proceedings, including matters before the New York State Division of Human Rights, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Office for Civil Rights, and other governmental or regulatory bodies.

Litigation support and coordination

Draft and review legal analyses, position statements, correspondence, administrative submissions, settlement recommendations, and in coordination with counsel of record where appropriate, litigation papers.

Evaluate claims and potential resolutions, and advise University leadership regarding litigation, employment, labor, and dispute resolution risks and options, and support litigation and settlement strategy in coordination with the New York State Office of the Attorney General or other authorized counsel as appropriate.

Coordinate campus preservation, document collection, review, production, and e-discovery efforts, and assist with preparing University witnesses for depositions, arbitrations, administrative proceedings, and trials in coordination with counsel of record as appropriate.

Government and external counsel relationships

Work collaboratively with University administrators, faculty, staff, and subject-matter experts to gather facts, evaluate legal and institutional risks, and develop practical and effective responses.

Serve as a primary campus liaison with the New York State Office of the Attorney General, which generally handles litigation on behalf of the State, and coordinate as appropriate with OGC colleagues, authorized outside counsel, governmental agencies, and counsel for affiliated entities.

Additional Responsibilities

Provide timely, practical, and strategic legal advice to University leadership and campus offices on certain employment decisions, employee discipline, workplace investigations, and related operational matters.

Research and analyze statutes, regulations, case law, University policies, SUNY requirements, and other legal authorities, and translate complex legal concepts and risks into clear, practical recommendations for non-legal professionals. Monitor significant legal developments affecting the University, advise appropriate officials regarding potential impacts and recommended actions, and develop and deliver legal and compliance training as appropriate.

Collaborate with attorneys and staff within the Office of General Counsel and maintain effective working relationships with University leadership, campus offices, governmental agencies, outside counsel, affiliated entities, and other partners. Exercise sound professional judgment and maintain strict confidentiality in handling sensitive legal matters. Contribute to special projects and other legal matters as assigned by the UB Chief Campus Counsel or SUNY General Counsel.

Learn more:

• Our benefits, where we prioritize your well-being and success to enhance every aspect of your life.
• Being a part of the University at Buffalo community.

Minimum Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school, or foreign equivalent.
• Admission to the New York State Bar in good standing, or eligibility for admission to the New York State Bar within six months.
• A minimum of five (5) years of legal practice or other relevant legal experience for appointment at the Associate Campus Counsel level, or ten (10) years for appointment at the Senior Campus Counsel level, including at least three (3) years of substantial experience actively participating in litigation and/or quasi-litigation (i.e., administrative hearings and labor arbitrations).
• Strong legal research, analytical, writing, oral communication, and interpersonal skills. Demonstrated ability to independently analyze complex legal issues, exercise sound professional judgment, and provide clear, practical legal advice. Ability to effectively communicate complex legal concepts and risks to diverse non-legal audiences. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple matters, competing priorities, and deadlines while maintaining a high level of accuracy, attention to detail, professionalism, and confidentiality.

Preferred Qualifications

• Substantial experience advising clients on complex litigation, labor, and employment matters, including employee discipline, workplace investigations, or administrative proceedings.
• Experience managing discovery and significant document production, including e-discovery, and representing clients in administrative proceedings.
• Experience with New York State public-sector labor relations, Civil Service Law, or employment-related regulatory requirements is preferred. Experience working in higher education, government, or another complex public-sector environment is also preferred, as is experience developing and delivering legal or compliance training to attorneys and non-legal professionals.
• Familiarity with SUNY, New York State government, or the laws, regulations, and policies applicable to public higher education is also preferred.

Our University Community

Prodig+
No

Executive Position
No

Physical Demands

Driving Requirements
This position will never drive a university owned vehicle.

Salary Range
Competitive

Additional Salary Information

Job Type
Full-Time

Campus
North Campus

Posting Alerts

Special Instructions Summary

Additional Information

Is a background check required for this posting?
Yes

Background Check Notification
Employment in this position will be contingent on the university's verification of credentials and any other information required by federal or state law, and University at Buffalo policies, including the completion of a criminal history check.

Contact Information

Contact's Name
Tricia Clark

Contact's Pronouns

Contact's Title
Assistant Director of Administration

Contact's Email
triciacl@buffalo.edu

Contact's Phone
716-645-0969

Posting Dates

Posted
10/21/2026

Deadline for Internal Applicants
11/04/2026

Deadline for External Applicants
Open Until Filled

Date to be filled
11/30/2026

References

Number of References Required
3

Reference Cutoff Date

Instructions to Applicant