Legal Counsel  

Job Description

Under the supervision of the Director of the University Legal and Compliance Office (ULCO), the University Legal Counsel shall be responsible for providing legal and compliance support specifically to the assigned unit (with supplementary support to other units) in order to mitigate legal risks and ensure legal compliance.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

Governance and Compliance

Draft and recommend policies, programs, and protocols to manage the legal and compliance risks of the assigned units

Provide guidance to the University in effecting policy changes in the assigned unit that may impact other units of the University

Provide input to the Internal Audit and Financial Risk Management Office and to the President on the regulatory and compliance aspects of the assigned unit’s operations

Evaluate complex and volatile situations with legal implications, and recommend the best option available for the assigned unit /University administration

Provide accurate and timely legal advice to key administrators of the assigned unit on a variety of legal concerns, including labor and immigration law, administrative proceedings, torts, and damages, education law, corporation law, commercial and construction law, tax and finance law, intellectual property law, and data privacy

Documents drafting and review

Draft and/or review agreements, contracts, and other legal documents entered into by the University, through the assigned unit, to ensure the University’s legal compliance and protect the University’s rights and interests

Review external and internal communications of the assigned unit to ensure that information is conveyed in a legally-compliant manner

Legal representation

Represent the assigned unit in internal and external activities requiring legal representation (e.g., consultations, workshops, conferences, etc.).

Dispute management

Manage a range of legal disputes involving a variety of internal and external stakeholders

Review complaints involving acts of misconduct or disciplinary offenses by employees in the assigned unit and provide legal guidance on handling the investigative and disciplinary processes

Identify critical disputes that have a high potential for litigation and determine the necessity for referral to external counsel in preparation for possible lawsuits

Legal empowerment/Building of a compliance culture

Initiate programs and activities to promote a corporate culture that maintains the highest possible standards of legal and regulatory compliance

Design and implement training and information sessions to raise awareness and compliance with laws, other governmental issuances, and University/school policies, rules, and regulations

Administrative functions

Manage external legal services

Design and implement a monitoring and evaluation system to ensure quality and cost-efficient services of external counsel with regard to legal matters involving the assigned unit

Review and monitor the assigned unit’s budgets for engaging services of external legal counsel

Develop and implement a case/legal intervention management system to document the legal requirements of the assigned unit and ensure responsiveness to the assigned unit’s needs for legal services

Communication

Represent key administrators of the assigned unit in communicating sensitive, controversial, and complex messages of a legal nature to internal stakeholders, and coordinate the exchange of information on such matters with the assigned unit

Provide input to the University Marketing and Communication Office on the legal aspects of communications with external stakeholders

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Strong initiative, as well as excellent skills in management, team building, delegation, and problem-solving

Above-average leadership skills

Excellent oral and written communication skills

Excellent interpersonal and negotiating skills

Substantive knowledge of a broad spectrum of relevant legal principles, practices, and proceedings

Demonstrated ability to create legal defensive or proactive strategies

A high degree of professional ethics and integrity

Sound judgment and ability to analyze situations and information

Ability to work independently with little or no supervision

Able to handle multiple matters simultaneously

Education and Experience Requirements:

Member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines in good standing

At least ten years in the practice of law, preferably with experience as legal counsel in a school environment

At least two years of litigation experience

Experience in contract law, labor and employment law, torts, and damages, and education law is desirable