UCSF

Public health sciences university in San Francisco

Senior Principal Counsel

Legal Counsel & Legal SupportConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeSan Francisco, CA, USA$297k - $330kIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

Must possess a Juris Doctor from an accredited law school or equivalent.
Must have 10 or more years of directly related work experience.
Must be a member in good standing of a United States state bar; an out-of-state hire will be given time to pass a bar exam within a reasonable period.
Must hold a California State Bar license in good standing; an out-of-state hire must pass the California Bar Exam within one year of hire and be admitted within 18 months of hire.
Must have relevant practice experience in a law firm or as in-house counsel for an academic institution, corporation, or other entity.
Must have expert ability in collaboration, facilitation, strategic thinking, and creative thinking.
Must be a trusted partner to senior management and a diverse spectrum of clients.
Must have expert understanding of highly complex legal issues and the ability to foresee implications in specialty areas, including when issues are ambiguous or hidden.
Must have outstanding interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to actively listen, negotiate, persuade, and educate, and to gain trust and build credibility with colleagues, clients, and senior leaders.
Must have outstanding written communication skills and the ability to create and deliver effective materials and presentations for particular audiences.
Must have outstanding research skills and the ability to readily identify critical legislative changes in the area of specialty.
Must be able to establish strategic solutions at the macro level and influence key stakeholders in alignment with the mission.
Must have expert consulting, relationship-building, and strategic-thinking skills.
Must have thorough knowledge of the organizational environment of higher education and large research universities to understand client priorities, issues, motivations, and constraints.
Must be able to represent institutional concerns persuasively to internal and external parties.
Must be able to mentor and coach staff at all levels and provide for succession planning in the area of specialty.
Must be able to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion and tact when handling sensitive or potentially sensitive issues.
Must demonstrate commitment to the highest ethical standards.
Must have expertise in employment law, including disability discrimination, Title IX, Title VI, and Title VII.

Responsibilities

Oversee employment, pre-litigation, and litigation matters, and practice in state and federal courts.
Respond to and advise on agency investigations, regulatory proceedings, and hearings.
Participate in emergency operations and oversee general liability litigation.
Provide substantial expertise to UCSF and UCSF Health on labor, employment, and related legal matters.
Independently handle and represent UCSF's interests in legal matters and projects, including pre-litigation, complex litigation, regulatory proceedings, employment-related transactions, and high-impact initiatives.
Interpret complex facts and law in highly ambiguous contexts.
Advise on employment issues involving international activities, exposure and risk assessment, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, disability and religious accommodations, workers’ compensation as it relates to disability laws, housing, immigration, workplace free speech, privacy, public records acts, conflicts of commitment and financial interests, accessibility laws, and whistleblower laws.
Advise on confidential Ombuds services and the faculty and staff assistance program, artificial intelligence use, and potentially student and faculty matters.
Provide functional advice, training, and guidance to less-experienced attorneys; collaborate with UCSF Office of Legal Affairs and UC Legal; liaise with outside counsel; and represent the University in litigation of the highest complexity or consequence.
Lead projects or policy changes with broad organizational impact and potentially direct programs with organization-wide impact, including formulating strategies and administering policies, processes, and resources.
Contribute scholarly or pedagogic publications, including templates, white papers, precedents, and litigation briefings or advisories.
Counsel senior and executive management on issues with potential systemwide significance and provide practical advice and alternative solutions to business issues.
Research and present novel legal issues and legal guidance, often on short notice, to leadership.
Provide guidance on policy, policy-related procedures, and legal requirements, including complex implementation problem-solving.
Advise clients strategically on compliance and the impacts of non-compliance in state and federal agency inquiries and investigations related to labor or employment law.
Provide litigation, contract negotiations, advice, and support for compliance and risk mitigation strategies for the University's complex operations.
Interface between academic and medical center entities on complex issues that cross organizational lines and are unique to campus.
Assess and advise senior leadership on remedial actions related to liability exposure from litigated and non-litigated claims.
Gather stakeholder input on client risk tolerance, desired outcomes, precedent, impact at UCSF Campus and Health and systemwide, and pathways to desired outcomes.
Support and advise remedial efforts on complex issues with multidisciplinary stakeholders.
Advise or oversee advice on UCSF employment practices liability and general liability litigation, particularly the highest-risk matters.
Develop strategies for optimal outcomes, including issues that affect all UC campuses and medical centers.
Identify and report trends related to legal obligations and advise on remedial actions to reduce liability risk.
Provide input on systemwide policies and practices and collaborate with senior campus and health counsel and UC Legal on litigation and systemic legal issues.
Collaborate with UC Legal and systemwide counsel on matters affecting the UC system, and serve as a resource to other campus counsel in implementing policies.
Coordinate with internal and external entities, including external police departments, city attorneys, and agency investigators, on complex work environments governed by different entities' policies.
Develop and implement strategies for early resolution of non-litigated matters in collaboration with UC Office of the President, campus, and health partners.
Participate strategically in external committees and task forces addressing state and federal legislative developments; present at panels for national organizations, government agencies, and UC events; and support training on employment matters.
Negotiate matters on behalf of The Regents, liaise with outside counsel, represent the University in complex litigation, and manage outside counsel budgets.
Train and monitor outside counsel on campus and systemwide priorities, litigation expectations, and client priorities.
Identify, escalate, and strategize issues with systemwide implications and coordinate multidisciplinary consensus.
Negotiate employment settlements and align settlements with campus and systemwide liability-risk value.
Advise and train clients on federal law compliance and minimizing liability exposure, and respond strategically to state and federal agency inquiries.
Steward UC resources, including outside counsel expenses, and develop systems and procedures to protect organizational assets and institutional knowledge.
Advise UCSF Legal colleagues on labor and employment issues and other matters within the area of expertise, including matters requiring complex collaboration.
Delegate work effectively to maximize efficiencies and train staff on objectives and strategies aligned with systemwide objectives.
Mentor legal support staff and manage and monitor administrative workflow delegated to them.
Advise campus on implementation of systemwide policies and support equal opportunity in the recruitment process.

Desired Qualifications

Direct experience with the California Public Employment Relations Board is preferred.
A current California State Bar license in good standing at the time of application is preferred.
Six or more years of legal practice as a member of UC Legal is preferred.
Experience in multiple practice areas or collaboration across multiple practice areas is preferred.
Practice advising academic medical centers, hospitals, health systems, or medical groups is preferred.

The Senior Principal Counsel is a recognized expert and leader in employment and labor law and its application to public, academic, and/or healthcare employers; may be recognized in California, on a national or international basis.

Oversees employment and pre-litigation and litigation matters, practices in state and federal courts. Direct experience with the CA Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) is preferred. Responds to and advises on agency investigations, regulatory proceedings, and hearings. Participates in emergency operations. Oversees general liability litigation.

Provides substantial expertise within UCSF and UCSF Health on labor, employment, and related legal matters. Relevant experience in a law firm and/or as in-house counsel in higher education, healthcare, government, or corporations. Independently handles and/or represents UCSF’s interests in a full range of legal matters and projects, including pre-litigation, complex litigation, regulatory proceedings, employment-related transactions (e.g., employment agreements, offer letters, separation and settlement agreements), and initiatives with substantial importance and impact. Interprets complex facts and law in highly ambiguous contexts.

Experience advising higher education, healthcare, government or corporations on different employment issues including, but not limited to, international activities, exposure and risk assessment as to all employment matters, including harassment, discrimination, and retaliation; advising on accommodation for disabilities and religion; workers’ compensation as it relates to disability laws; housing; immigration; free speech in the workplace; privacy; public records acts; conflicts of commitment and financial interests; accessibility laws; whistleblower laws; among others.

Advises on issues related to confidential services of Ombuds and the faculty and staff assistance program. Advises on artificial intelligence use. May also advise on student and faculty matters.

Provides functional advice, training, and/or guidance to less-experienced attorneys. Collaborates with colleagues in UCSF Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) and throughout UC Legal to achieve UCSF and systemwide objectives. Acts as a liaison with outside counsel, and/or represents the University in litigation of the highest complexity or consequence. May lead projects or changes in policy with a broad impact across the organization. May direct programs with organization-wide impact that include formulating strategies and administering policies, processes, and resources. Significant barriers to entry exist at this level. May contribute to UC Legal’s repository of scholarly and/or pedagogic publications through the development of templates, white papers, precedents, litigation briefings/advisories, etc. Has substantial experience interfacing with key senior clients and constituents. Demonstrates excellent judgment.

Required Qualifications:

Must possess a J.D. from an accredited law school or equivalent.
10+ years of directly related work experience.
Must be a member in good standing of a United States state bar. (Out-of-state hire would be afforded time to pass the Bar within a reasonable period.)
CA State Bar License in good standing. (Out-of-state hires must pass the California Bar Exam within one year of hire and be admitted within 18 months of hire.)
Relevant practice experience in a law firm, or in-house counsel for an academic institution, corporation or other entity.
Expert ability in collaboration, facilitation, and strategic and creative thinking.
Trusted partner with senior management and a diverse spectrum of clients.
Expert understanding of highly complex legal issues and ability to foresee implications in specialty areas, even when ambiguous or hidden.
Outstanding interpersonal communication skills, including proven ability to actively listen, negotiate, persuade, and educate. Skills to gain trust and build credibility with a broad
group of colleagues and clients, including senior leaders.
Outstanding written communication skills and ability to create and deliver effective materials and/or presentations appropriate to a particular audience.
Outstanding research skills; ability to readily identify critical legislative changes in area of specialty.
Outstanding ability to establish strategic solutions at the macro level; to influence key stakeholders in alignment with mission.
Expert ability in consulting, relationship building, and strategic thinking skills.
Thorough knowledge of the organizational environment of higher education and large research universities to understand client priorities, issues, motivations and constraints.
Ability to represent institutional concerns persuasively to internal and external parties.
Demonstrated ability to mentor and coach all levels of staff; provide for succession planning in area of specialty.
Proven ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion and tact when handling sensitive or potentially sensitive issues.
Demonstrated commitment to the highest ethical standards.
Expertise in employment law, including disability discrimination, Title IX, Title VI, and Title VII.

Preferred Qualifications:

Current CA State Bar License in good standing at time of application.
6+ years of legal practice as a member of UC Legal.
Experience in multiple practice areas or experience collaborating and working with others across multiple practice areas.
Relevant practice experience specifically advising academic medical centers, hospitals, health systems, and/or medical groups.

% of time	Essential Function (Yes/No)	Key Responsibilities (To be completed by Supervisor)
30	Yes	Regularly counsels and advises senior and executive management, often on issues that can have significance across the system. Serves as a trusted strategic partner with University business units, providing practical advice and alternative solutions to business issues: Responsible for research and presentation of novel legal issues and legal guidance, frequently on short notice, to leadership. Responsible for guidance on policy and policy-related procedures and legal requirements, frequently involving complex implementation problem solving. Expert on state and federal agency inquiries and investigations related to labor and/or employment law; including providing strategic advice to clients related to compliance and impacts of non-compliance. Provides direct services to include litigation, contract negotiations, advice and support for effective compliance and risk mitigation strategies to facilitate the University's complex operations. Interface between academic and medical center entities on issues that cross multiple lines and are complex in nature and unique to campus.
20	Yes	Provides influence on the identification and framing of systemic legal issues, and the formulation and advancement of approaches to address them: Responsible for assessing and advising senior leadership on remedial actions related to liability exposure linked to litigated and non-litigated claims. Responsible for gathering input from a variety of stakeholders on client’s risk tolerance, desired outcome, precedent and impact at UCSF Campus, Health and systemwide as may be indicated by the circumstances and pathways to desired outcome. Supports and advises on remedial efforts on complex issues with multi-disciplinary stakeholders. Advises or oversees advice on the UCSF EPL and GL litigation cases, particularly on those with the highest risk. Develops successful strategies for optional outcomes on all matters, including identifying and strategizing on issues that impact all UC campuses and medical centers. Responsible for identifying and reporting trends related to legal obligations, including identifying and advising on remedial actions to decrease risk of liability. Routinely gives input on systemwide policies and practices. Works collaboratively with the Chief Campus Counsel, Chief Health Counsel and Deputy General Counsel and other UC Legal counsel to advise on and manage litigation or other systemic legal issues in a manner that promotes UC’s mission, vision, and values.
15	Yes	Collaborates to achieve solutions on the most complex legal issues in area of specialty, providing strategic direction with high-level stakeholders such as faculty, senate committee chairs, and senior administrators at the Office of the President and/or across UC locations. Proposes long-term strategic decisions that can have a broad impact across the UC system: Collaborates with UC Legal and systemwide counsel regarding matters impacting the UC systemwide. Serves as a resource to other campus counsel in the implementation of policies. Close coordination with internal and external entities, including external police departments and city attorneys, and agency investigators, to coordinate and advise on actions for complex work environments governed by policies of different entities (e.g., shared work environments of San Francisco General Hospital (ZSFG) and Benioff Children’s’ Hospital Oakland (BCHO)). Non-Litigated matters: successfully develops and implements reliable strategies for early resolution of non-litigated matters. Collaborates with UCOP and Campus and Health partners.
5	Yes	As a recognized expert, participates on external committees to provide input on issues that affect state and/or federal legislative developments: Operates with a line of sight into and access to systemwide and campus task forces, working groups, etc., participating in a strategic capacity. Presents on panels for national organizations, government agencies and UC organized events. Responsible for systemwide and enterprise responsibilities. Provides support for training on employment matters. Serves as a resource to other UC Legal counsel.
10	Yes	Directly negotiates matters on behalf of The Regents. Acts as a liaison with outside counsel, and/or represents the University in complex litigation. Manages outside counsel budget: Trains and monitors outside counsel on campus and systemwide priorities, litigation expectations, and client priorities. Responsible for identifying, escalating, and strategizing issues with systemwide implications and coordinating multi-disciplinary consensus. Routinely negotiates settlements on employment matters. Aligns settlements with campus and systemwide liability risk value. Expertise on federal law compliance and training and advising clients on compliance and minimizing exposure to risk of liability. Responsive to state and federal agency inquiries, including strategic advice to clients. Responsible and accountable for the stewardship of UC resources, including expenses associated with outside counsel, and the development of systems and procedures to protect organizational assets and institutional knowledge.
5	Yes	Provides guidance to attorneys interested in field of expertise: Advises colleagues in UCSF Legal regarding labor and employment issues and any other issues within area of expertise, and in matters that involve complex collaboration. Delegates work effectively to maximize efficiencies.
5	Yes	Develops objectives and ensures service according to established priorities: Trains on objectives and strategies to align with systemwide objectives.
5	Yes	Provides clear expectations and mentors legal support staff to establish strong commitment to teamwork and to meet expected levels of productivity and accuracy: Manages and monitors administrative workflow delegated to legal support staff.
5	Yes	Supports UC Legal's commitment to diversity and ensures equal opportunity in the recruitment process. Encourages participation in career advising or mentoring programs: Advises campus on implementation of systemwide policies.
100%

Budgeted Job Salary Range: 297,000-330,000

About the Company

UCSF

Public health sciences university in San Francisco

UC San Francisco is a public research university in San Francisco focused solely on health sciences, combining professional education with biomedical research and patient care. Its schools of dentistry, medicine, nursing and pharmacy train clinicians and scientists, while teams investigate cancer, immunology, genomics and neuroscience. UCSF Medical Center and Benioff Children's Hospitals connect clinical care with faculty research and training, and university clinics serve patients across Northern California. Founded in 1864, UCSF is the University of California campus dedicated to graduate and professional education and biomedical research, based in San Francisco.

Company size: 10,001+
Company stage: Not listed
Total funding: Not listed
Headquarters: Not listed
Founded: 1864

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