Sowela Technical Community College
General Counsel Job no: 495364 Closes: Work Type: Staff Full-Time Locations: Baton Rouge, LA Categories: Legal The General Counsel serves as the Louisiana Community and Technical College System’s (LCTCS) chief legal officer, providing strategic legal guidance to executive leadership and the LCTCS Board of Supervisors. The role oversees all legal matters, ensures compliance with applicable laws and regulations, manages legal risk, and supports the LCTCS’ mission with sound legal judgment.
Responsibilities Legal Strategy and Advisory
Serve as a trusted legal advisor to the LCTCS President, executive leadership, and the LCTCS Board of Supervisors
Provide legal guidance on governance, risk management, and strategic initiatives
Anticipate legal issues and proactively develop risk mitigation strategies
Governance
Advise the LCTCS President and executive leadership on best practices and fiduciary duties
Draft, review, and maintain governance documents, policies, and bylaws
Support LCTCS President and executive leadership, including preparation of resolutions and documents for the LCTCS Board of Supervisors meetings
Compliance and Risk Management
Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards
Develop and oversee compliance programs, policies, and training
Monitor regulatory developments and assess their impact on the organization
Assist Information Technology group with risk identification and management of risk
Ensure breach notifications meet both state and federal requirements
Contracts and Transactions
Oversee the drafting, review, and negotiation of contracts and agreements
Provide legal support for strategic transactions
Establish contract management standards and processes
Litigation and Dispute Management
Manage and oversee litigation, arbitration, and dispute resolution
Select, supervise, and manage outside counsel and legal service providers
Develop strategies to minimize litigation exposure and costs
Employment and Labor Law
Advise on employment, labor, and workplace matters, including policies and disputes
Partner with Human Resources on compliance, investigations, and employee relations
Legal Operations
Manage the legal budget and outside counsel spend
Implement legal operations best practices and tools
Manage all public requests
Title IX and Power Based Violence
Advise on Title IX and power-based violence, including policies and disputes
Partner with the Title IX Coordinators on compliance, investigations, and resolutions
Legislation
Assist with the drafting and review of new legislation
Provide legal support regarding legislation under discussion by the Louisiana Legislature
Required Education
Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
Required Experience
10+ years of progressive legal experience, including senior leadership responsibilities
Experience managing complex legal matters and advising executive leadership
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Strong strategic thinking and business acumen
Excellent judgment and decision‑making skills
Exceptional communication and negotiation abilities
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment
High ethical standards and integrity
Required Licenses or Certifications
Active license to practice law in the state of Louisiana
Preferred Experience
Prior in‑house experience strongly preferred
Experience working with Boards of Supervisors
Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Demonstrated ability to balance legal risk with business objectives
Benefits As a member of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, LCTCS has an attractive benefits package with a wide variety of benefit options. Benefits offered include retirement, multiple medical insurance options, supplemental insurances (dental, term life, disability, accident, vision, etc.), Tax Saver Flexible Benefits Plan (saves tax dollars on some child care and medical expenses), holidays (14 per year, typically includes longer break at Christmas), generous annual (vacation) and sick leave benefits and Employee Assistance Program. Specific benefits depend on job category, percent effort and length of employment.
Application Deadline Applications will be accepted and position will remain open until filled.
Application Instructions Applicants for this position should submit a cover letter that addresses the outlined responsibilities, a resume, and the names and contact information for three professional/work-related references. If selected, applicant will be asked to provide a certified copy of transcript and proof of license to practice law in the state of Louisiana prior to final offer.
EEO Statement In accordance with LCTCS Policy #6.036, a criminal history check will be conducted on all new hires. LCTCS participates in the federal E-Verify system for identification and employment eligibility purposes. LCTCS is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) agency that supports improved employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. For more information about the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, visit www.lctcs.edu .
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Responsibilities Legal Strategy and Advisory
Serve as a trusted legal advisor to the LCTCS President, executive leadership, and the LCTCS Board of Supervisors
Provide legal guidance on governance, risk management, and strategic initiatives
Anticipate legal issues and proactively develop risk mitigation strategies
Governance
Advise the LCTCS President and executive leadership on best practices and fiduciary duties
Draft, review, and maintain governance documents, policies, and bylaws
Support LCTCS President and executive leadership, including preparation of resolutions and documents for the LCTCS Board of Supervisors meetings
Compliance and Risk Management
Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards
Develop and oversee compliance programs, policies, and training
Monitor regulatory developments and assess their impact on the organization
Assist Information Technology group with risk identification and management of risk
Ensure breach notifications meet both state and federal requirements
Contracts and Transactions
Oversee the drafting, review, and negotiation of contracts and agreements
Provide legal support for strategic transactions
Establish contract management standards and processes
Litigation and Dispute Management
Manage and oversee litigation, arbitration, and dispute resolution
Select, supervise, and manage outside counsel and legal service providers
Develop strategies to minimize litigation exposure and costs
Employment and Labor Law
Advise on employment, labor, and workplace matters, including policies and disputes
Partner with Human Resources on compliance, investigations, and employee relations
Legal Operations
Manage the legal budget and outside counsel spend
Implement legal operations best practices and tools
Manage all public requests
Title IX and Power Based Violence
Advise on Title IX and power-based violence, including policies and disputes
Partner with the Title IX Coordinators on compliance, investigations, and resolutions
Legislation
Assist with the drafting and review of new legislation
Provide legal support regarding legislation under discussion by the Louisiana Legislature
Required Education
Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
Required Experience
10+ years of progressive legal experience, including senior leadership responsibilities
Experience managing complex legal matters and advising executive leadership
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Strong strategic thinking and business acumen
Excellent judgment and decision‑making skills
Exceptional communication and negotiation abilities
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment
High ethical standards and integrity
Required Licenses or Certifications
Active license to practice law in the state of Louisiana
Preferred Experience
Prior in‑house experience strongly preferred
Experience working with Boards of Supervisors
Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Demonstrated ability to balance legal risk with business objectives
Benefits As a member of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, LCTCS has an attractive benefits package with a wide variety of benefit options. Benefits offered include retirement, multiple medical insurance options, supplemental insurances (dental, term life, disability, accident, vision, etc.), Tax Saver Flexible Benefits Plan (saves tax dollars on some child care and medical expenses), holidays (14 per year, typically includes longer break at Christmas), generous annual (vacation) and sick leave benefits and Employee Assistance Program. Specific benefits depend on job category, percent effort and length of employment.
Application Deadline Applications will be accepted and position will remain open until filled.
Application Instructions Applicants for this position should submit a cover letter that addresses the outlined responsibilities, a resume, and the names and contact information for three professional/work-related references. If selected, applicant will be asked to provide a certified copy of transcript and proof of license to practice law in the state of Louisiana prior to final offer.
EEO Statement In accordance with LCTCS Policy #6.036, a criminal history check will be conducted on all new hires. LCTCS participates in the federal E-Verify system for identification and employment eligibility purposes. LCTCS is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) agency that supports improved employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. For more information about the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, visit www.lctcs.edu .
#J-18808-Ljbffr