New Mexico Highlands University
Position Details
New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU) is seeking a seasoned and strategic legal professional to serve as Counsel. As the chief legal officer of the university, the Counsel provides legal advice and representation to the President, Board of Regents, senior administration, faculty, and staff on a broad range of issues impacting the institution. This is a key leadership position that supports NMHU’s mission by ensuring legal compliance, reducing institutional risk, and guiding the university through complex legal and regulatory matters.
Duties and Responsibilities
Serve as the principal legal advisor to the President and Board of Regents.
Provide legal counsel on matters involving governance, employment and labor law, contracts, academic affairs, civil rights, New Mexico regulations, Title IX, student affairs, public records, intellectual property, and regulatory compliance.
Participate in and at times lead collective bargaining negotiations.
Manage and coordinate all litigation involving the university, including oversight of outside counsel.
Draft, review, and negotiate a wide variety of contracts, agreements, and legal documents.
Draft, review, and update institutional policies and lead the Institutional Policy Committee.
Monitor federal and state legislation, regulations, and legal trends affecting higher education and provide guidance on compliance and implementation.
Develop and deliver training sessions to faculty and staff on legal and compliance topics.
Support the university’s risk management efforts by identifying potential liabilities and implementing mitigation strategies.
Work collaboratively with various university departments to address legal and policy concerns.
Ensure proper legal procedures are followed in university governance and policy development.
Provide counsel regarding proposed legislation and regulations that may impact the University
Other duties as assigned.
New Mexico Statutes.
Minimum Job Requirements
Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
Licensed to practice law in New Mexico or eligible for admission within a reasonable time frame.
A minimum of 5 years of relevant legal experience, preferably including experience in higher education, government, or public institutions.
Demonstrated knowledge of laws and regulations relevant to higher education, including FERPA, Title IX, ADA, Clery Act, and employment law.
Preferred Qualifications
Prior experience serving as in-house counsel, preferably in a university or public sector setting.
8-10 years of related work experience.
Strong understanding of shared governance, university policy development, and academic processes.
Excellent analytical, communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
Demonstrated ability to manage sensitive and confidential issues with integrity and sound judgment.
Experience negotiating with unions and / or union law.
Experience handling complex litigation, regulatory investigations, and policy development.
Special Conditions for Eligibility Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Ability to develop and deliver presentations.
Demonstrated ability to successfully manage a large corporate or centralized institutional legal office.
Skill in budget preparation and fiscal management.
Ability to provide competent legal advice and counsel to senior university officials on a wide range of legal and policy issues.
Knowledge of the range of applicable laws and regulations which impact on all facets of university policy and operations.
Ability to analyze and interpret issues and to prepare legal opinions.
Ability to communicate and interact with officials at all levels of government.
Ability to supervise and train employees, to include organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments.
Knowledge of current and developing legal issues and trends in area of expertise.
Ability to supervise and coordinate the work of legal professionals, paraprofessionals, and consultants.
Ability to foster a cooperative work environment.
Knowledge of the principles and procedures of legal research.
Employee development and performance management skills.
Negotiating skills.
Knowledge and understanding of institutional policies and procedures and the regulatory environment within which they operate.
Knowledge of contract law.
Knowledge of financial / business analysis techniques.
Knowledge of the judicial system and procedures.
Knowledge of legal documentation procedures and requirements.
Ability to develop and implement legal strategies and solutions.
Knowledge of community legal resources.
Knowledge of faculty and / or staff hiring procedures.
Physical Demands
No or very limited physical effort required.
No or very limited exposure to physical risk.
Working Environment
Work is normally performed in a typical interior / office work environment.
Work Location Las Vegas, NM Campus
EEO Statement
New Mexico Highlands University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. We are committed to the University values of diversity, accessibility, excellence, and responsiveness.
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Duties and Responsibilities
Serve as the principal legal advisor to the President and Board of Regents.
Provide legal counsel on matters involving governance, employment and labor law, contracts, academic affairs, civil rights, New Mexico regulations, Title IX, student affairs, public records, intellectual property, and regulatory compliance.
Participate in and at times lead collective bargaining negotiations.
Manage and coordinate all litigation involving the university, including oversight of outside counsel.
Draft, review, and negotiate a wide variety of contracts, agreements, and legal documents.
Draft, review, and update institutional policies and lead the Institutional Policy Committee.
Monitor federal and state legislation, regulations, and legal trends affecting higher education and provide guidance on compliance and implementation.
Develop and deliver training sessions to faculty and staff on legal and compliance topics.
Support the university’s risk management efforts by identifying potential liabilities and implementing mitigation strategies.
Work collaboratively with various university departments to address legal and policy concerns.
Ensure proper legal procedures are followed in university governance and policy development.
Provide counsel regarding proposed legislation and regulations that may impact the University
Other duties as assigned.
New Mexico Statutes.
Minimum Job Requirements
Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
Licensed to practice law in New Mexico or eligible for admission within a reasonable time frame.
A minimum of 5 years of relevant legal experience, preferably including experience in higher education, government, or public institutions.
Demonstrated knowledge of laws and regulations relevant to higher education, including FERPA, Title IX, ADA, Clery Act, and employment law.
Preferred Qualifications
Prior experience serving as in-house counsel, preferably in a university or public sector setting.
8-10 years of related work experience.
Strong understanding of shared governance, university policy development, and academic processes.
Excellent analytical, communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
Demonstrated ability to manage sensitive and confidential issues with integrity and sound judgment.
Experience negotiating with unions and / or union law.
Experience handling complex litigation, regulatory investigations, and policy development.
Special Conditions for Eligibility Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Ability to develop and deliver presentations.
Demonstrated ability to successfully manage a large corporate or centralized institutional legal office.
Skill in budget preparation and fiscal management.
Ability to provide competent legal advice and counsel to senior university officials on a wide range of legal and policy issues.
Knowledge of the range of applicable laws and regulations which impact on all facets of university policy and operations.
Ability to analyze and interpret issues and to prepare legal opinions.
Ability to communicate and interact with officials at all levels of government.
Ability to supervise and train employees, to include organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments.
Knowledge of current and developing legal issues and trends in area of expertise.
Ability to supervise and coordinate the work of legal professionals, paraprofessionals, and consultants.
Ability to foster a cooperative work environment.
Knowledge of the principles and procedures of legal research.
Employee development and performance management skills.
Negotiating skills.
Knowledge and understanding of institutional policies and procedures and the regulatory environment within which they operate.
Knowledge of contract law.
Knowledge of financial / business analysis techniques.
Knowledge of the judicial system and procedures.
Knowledge of legal documentation procedures and requirements.
Ability to develop and implement legal strategies and solutions.
Knowledge of community legal resources.
Knowledge of faculty and / or staff hiring procedures.
Physical Demands
No or very limited physical effort required.
No or very limited exposure to physical risk.
Working Environment
Work is normally performed in a typical interior / office work environment.
Work Location Las Vegas, NM Campus
EEO Statement
New Mexico Highlands University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. We are committed to the University values of diversity, accessibility, excellence, and responsiveness.
#J-18808-Ljbffr