POSITION SUMMARY:
UTHealth Houston is a graduate-level university and academic health center in Houston that reaches across the state and around the world. Working together, our seven schools, institutes, centers clinics and hospital partners are uniquely positioned to educate tomorrow's healthcare providers from many perspectives and disciplines. Our educational programs connect research, prevention and patient care in innovative ways that lead to powerful discoveries. Because we have many components woven into one university, UTHealth Houston delivers a commitment to improving human health. We educate the largest number of healthcare professionals in Texas - more than 5,000 students each year along with having 8k+ employees. We create innovative solutions that create the best hope for a healthier future.
UTHealth Houston is seeking a Legal Officer to provide legal advice and counsel to the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, primarily focused on labor and employment law, higher education law and related matters. Reporting directly to Melissa Pifko, J.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, this position will provide interpretation and opinions regarding various laws, regulations and internal and external policies regarding employment law.
The Legal Officer is responsible for the design, execution and effectiveness of a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that operations are effective and efficient, assets are safeguarded, financial information is reliable and compliant with applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures. The highly organized Legal Officer must possess the ability to multitask and respond to a variety of requests and projects. In this crucial consultative position, the Legal Officer will play an integral role in contributing to the institution’s overall direction and ensuring legal compliance while driving business objectives.
Candidates should have a minimum of three (3) years of employment law experience with a preference in health care or higher education and possess a Juris Doctorate (JD) degree from an American Bar Association accredited law school. They must be collaborative and take great pride in building relationships with physicians, clinicians, faculty, students and staff. Candidates will also possess critical thinking skills, will be an attentive listener and have an innate ability to earn trust.
POSITION KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:
Provides interpretation and opinions regarding various laws, regulations and internal and external policies regarding employment law and various other litigation related matters.
Collaborates with Human Resources on all issues of the law related to the organization's human capital.
Monitors legal issues and implications concerned with discrimination, sexual harassment, health and safety, hiring and firing, other aspects of employee rights and responsibilities, as well as other areas of higher education law and health law.
Coordinates litigators and litigation and certain regulatory investigations involving the institution and its employees.
Drafts and/or reviews various documents and forms as required for institutional business purposes.
Advises as necessary the various institutional committees and managers.
Coordinates certain internal hearings and assures that institutional policies are followed and due process is achieved.
Interacts and/or intervenes with The University of Texas System Office of General Counsel, the Texas Attorney General, and various private attorneys.
Negotiates on behalf of the institution in mediation and other situations encountered in pursuit of resolving legal conflicts to which the institution is a party in interest.
Attends depositions and other legal proceedings to assist/coordinate outside attorneys representing the institution.
Conducts or participates in training on various legal issues.
Responds to subpoenas and requests for information and records.
Performs other duties as assigned.
CERTIFICATIONS/SKILLS:
Licensed by the State Bar of Texas
Proficiency in legal research via library or computer
MINIMUM EDUCATION:
Juris Doctorate degree from an American Bar Association accredited law school