Departmental Overview The UC Berkeley Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) offers timely legal advice to campus leadership, faculty and staff, seeks to anticipate and offer creative solutions to legal problems, works to resolve legal disputes, and advocates on behalf of the campus. OLA also serves as liaison between the campus and the UC Office of General Counsel in Oakland. OLA strives to be a valued and trusted partner, recognized for creativity, expertise, service orientation, and commitment to UC Berkeley's mission and values.
Position Summary The Principal Campus Counsel serves as a senior attorney within the Office of Legal Affairs and is assigned as the primary legal advisor to Intercollegiate Athletics. As a trusted legal partner to the Athletic Director and Athletics executive leadership, the Principal Campus Counsel provides broad legal counsel across a wide range of issues affecting a modern Division I athletics program while remaining an integral member of the Office of Legal Affairs' general practice team.
The incumbent advises Athletics leadership on complex legal matters involving labor and employment, commercial transactions, governance, regulatory compliance, contracts, student-athlete matters, Name, Image and Likeness (NIL), NCAA and conference requirements, revenue-generating initiatives, licensing, media rights, and other operational and strategic issues. The Principal Campus Counsel collaborates closely with Ethics, Risk & Compliance and other campus partners to identify legal risks, develop practical solutions, and promote compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and University policy.
While this position is assigned to support Intercollegiate Athletics as its primary client, the Principal Campus Counsel maintains a broad institutional legal practice and participates in cross-training with other attorneys in the Office of Legal Affairs. The incumbent is expected to provide legal support across other University practice areas as operational needs require, ensuring continuity of legal services and contributing to the overall effectiveness of the Office.
The Principal Campus Counsel exercises a high degree of professional judgment and independence in advising University leadership, negotiating agreements, managing disputes, supporting litigation, and resolving complex legal issues. Through this role, the incumbent advances the University's strategic objectives by delivering practical, solution-oriented legal advice while helping to protect the institution's legal, financial, and reputational interests.
Application Review Date The First Review Date for this job is: September 1, 2026.
Responsibilities Strategic Legal Counsel - 25%
- Serves as the primary legal advisor to the Athletic Director and Athletics executive leadership.
- Provides strategic legal advice regarding athletics operations, institutional priorities, governance, and organizational initiatives.
- Advises senior leadership regarding legal implications of significant business decisions and emerging risks.
- Develops practical legal strategies that balance institutional objectives with legal and regulatory requirements.
- Identifies emerging legal trends affecting collegiate athletics and proactively advises leadership regarding institutional impacts.
Labor & Employment Law - 35%
- Provides legal advice regarding employment matters, principally those matters affecting Athletics, with emphasis on California labor and employment law.
- Drafts, negotiates, and reviews executive employment agreements, coaching contracts, separation agreements, incentive compensation plans, retention agreements, and other employment-related documents.
- Advises management regarding employee relations, workplace investigations, disciplinary actions, performance management, and other employment matters.
- Provides legal counsel regarding NCAA employment issues, employee classification, and evolving legal standards impacting collegiate athletics.
- Represents the University in administrative proceedings, negotiations, and employment-related litigation, or manages outside counsel as appropriate.
Business Transactions & Commercial Agreements - 25%
- Negotiates, drafts, and advises on complex commercial agreements, principally supporting Athletics operations.
- Provides legal counsel regarding:
- Name, Image and Likeness (NIL)
- Revenue-sharing initiatives
- Student-athlete compensation models
- Licensing and branding agreements
- Intellectual property matters
- Media rights agreements
- Third-party sponsorship agreements
- Conference affiliation matters
- Facilities use agreements
- Athlete intellectual property
- Revenue generation initiatives
- Advises leadership regarding commercial opportunities while ensuring appropriate legal protections and institutional compliance.
Compliance, Risk Management & Governance - 10%
- Partners closely with Ethics, Risk & Compliance to develop institution-wide compliance strategies, principally those affecting Athletics.
- Advises regarding NCAA rules, conference requirements, House settlement implementation, and other evolving regulatory requirements.
- Develops legal risk mitigation strategies that strengthen institutional governance and reduce organizational risk.
- Assists in developing and revising campus policies, procedures, and compliance programs.
- Conducts legal risk assessments for significant athletics initiatives and strategic projects.
Litigation, Investigations & Professional Leadership - 5%
- Represents the University in litigation, administrative proceedings, investigations, and other legal matters within assigned practice areas.
- Manages relationships with outside counsel and evaluates appropriate use of external legal services.
- Negotiates resolutions to complex legal disputes.
- Develops and delivers legal education and training programs for Athletics leadership and other campus stakeholders.
- Serves as a subject matter expert on emerging legal issues affecting collegiate athletics.
Required Qualifications - Extensive and progressively responsible legal experience.
- Demonstrated expertise in California labor and employment law.
- Significant experience drafting and negotiating complex employment and commercial agreements.
- Experience representing organizations in litigation, investigations, and administrative proceedings.
- Demonstrated ability to advise executive leadership on highly complex legal and business matters.
- Expert knowledge of California labor and employment law and legal issues affecting Division I intercollegiate athletics.
- Comprehensive understanding of NCAA regulations, conference governance, and the evolving legal landscape affecting collegiate athletics.
- Knowledge of federal and California laws governing higher education, employment, commercial transactions, and regulatory compliance.
- Knowledge of and/or ability to learn University policies, governance, risk management principles, and litigation management, including effective use of outside counsel.
- Advanced legal analysis, strategic problem-solving, negotiation, and contract drafting skills.
- Excellent legal research and statutory interpretation skills.
- Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Strong client counseling, relationship management, and collaboration skills across multiple organizational units.
- Ability to exercise sound legal judgment in situations involving significant ambiguity or evolving legal standards, and maintain confidentiality and discretion in highly sensitive matters.
- Ability to build trusted relationships with executive leadership and diverse campus stakeholders, and advise senior leaders on matters involving significant legal, financial, operational, and reputational risk.
- Commitment to integrity, inclusion, collaboration, and the highest ethical standards.
Preferred Qualifications - Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple high-priority matters simultaneously.
- Ability to independently manage highly complex legal matters, analyze emerging legal issues, and develop practical, risk-based solutions with minimal supervision.
- Strategic planning and project management skills.
- Ability to develop and deliver legal training and educational presentations.
Education / Training - Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school. (Required)
Licenses / Certifications - Active membership in good standing with the California State Bar, or eligibility to obtain admission within the timeframe established by University policy. (Required)
Salary & Benefits For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.
Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.
The budgeted annual range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $230,000.00 - $282,124.00.
- This is an exempt, monthly-paid position.
- This is a full-time (40 hours/week) Career position eligible for UC benefits.
How to Apply To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.
Other Information - This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.
Conviction History Background This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.
Mandated Reporter This position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter required to report the observed or suspected abuse or neglect of children, dependent adults, or elders to designated law enforcement or social service agencies. We reserve the right to make employment contingent upon completion of signed statements acknowledging the responsibilities of a Mandated Reporter.
Misconduct As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.
Misconduct means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
Abusive Conduct in the Workplace
