Associate General Counsel Athletics

Job Description

Position Summary:

Vanderbilt University is seeking an Associate General Counsel to join the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) and provide legal advice to Vanderbilt University, principally supporting the strategic and operational needs of the Vanderbilt University Athletics Department. The Associate General Counsel will have primary or shared responsibility for a variety of related issues including but not limited to: reviewing, drafting, and negotiating agreements related to competitions, sponsorships/commercial partnership, naming rights, facility use, vendors, media rights, and coach employment; advising on university policy and NCAA rules to ensure alignment; counseling on student-athlete related issues, including name, image, and likeness (NIL) activities; managing an active litigation docket, including responding to discovery requests, and supervising outside counsel on litigation matters; and monitoring evolving legislation and legal matters that may affect collegiate athletics. Depending on the successful candidate’s experience and interest and the needs of the university, the Associate General Counsel will also provide advice and counsel on other issues to support additional areas of the university, such as Vanderbilt University Public Safety (VUPS) or Student Affairs.  

Job Description

Position Summary:

Vanderbilt University is seeking an Associate General Counsel to join the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) and provide legal advice to Vanderbilt University, principally supporting the strategic and operational needs of the Vanderbilt University Athletics Department. The Associate General Counsel will have primary or shared responsibility for a variety of related issues including but not limited to: reviewing, drafting, and negotiating agreements related to competitions, sponsorships/commercial partnership, naming rights, facility use, vendors, media rights, and coach employment; advising on university policy and NCAA rules to ensure alignment; counseling on student-athlete related issues, including name, image, and likeness (NIL) activities; managing an active litigation docket, including responding to discovery requests, and supervising outside counsel on litigation matters; and monitoring evolving legislation and legal matters that may affect collegiate athletics. Depending on the successful candidate’s experience and interest and the needs of the university, the Associate General Counsel will also provide advice and counsel on other issues to support additional areas of the university, such as Vanderbilt University Public Safety (VUPS) or Student Affairs.  

The Associate General Counsel will have a responsibility to:  

• Support the university’s strategic and operational goals, in particular with respect to the evolving landscape of Division I collegiate athletics.
• Work independently and as part of a team to effectively manage multiple highly sensitive and urgent legal matters with competing and overlapping deadlines, and timely communicate matter status and updates. 
• Protect the university’s short- and long-term interests by ensuring that actions taken by or on the behalf of the university comply with university policies and federal, state, and local laws or regulations.
• Utilize creative problem-solving techniques and excellent oral and written communication skills to contribute to the highly collaborative working environment within the OGC and across the university. 

About the Work Unit:

The OGC provides legal advice to university departments with an awareness of the nuances of client business priorities and with understanding of university business practices. The OGC is committed to agile service delivery aligned with the university's mission, priorities, and needs. All litigation proceedings are managed by the OGC on behalf of the university.

The OGC focuses on operational excellence in all we do, which includes:

• Project management and status updates
• Technology implementation, use, and analytics
• Budget containment and outside counsel management
• Identification of the highest and best use of attorney time

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

• Provides clear and practical legal advice to university and departmental leadership;
• Demonstrates strong analytical and counseling skills, judgment, and empathy;
• Demonstrates excellent written and verbal communication skills, including strong contract-drafting and negotiation skills on a level of parity with sophisticated outside counsel; 
• Manages litigation matters, including coordinating with outside counsel and responding to subpoenas and other discovery requests; 
• Is knowledgeable of and maintains awareness of new legal and regulatory developments at the federal and state level to provide counsel on the shifting legal and regulatory landscape; 
• Advises on and develop university processes and policies, and serves as legal advisor to work groups, committees, and other related bodies as assigned; 
• Understand and manage risk and compliance issues, collaborating as appropriate with University Compliance Services (UCS) and Risk & Insurance Management (RIM); 
• Collaborate with university officials, offices, and departments to develop and provide legal education and support to the Vanderbilt community;
• Engage and manage outside counsel as needed to represent Vanderbilt University; 
• Pursue professional growth and development through seminars, workshops, and professional affiliations to keep abreast of latest developments in college and university law and in other related matters; and
• Perform similar or related duties as assigned or required in an evolving environment. 

Supervisory Relationships:

This position does not have supervisory responsibility.

Education and Certifications:

• A juris doctorate is required, and the Associate General Counsel must be licensed in the State of Tennessee or eligible for licensure within twelve months of hire. 

Experience and skills the ideal candidate will possess include:

• At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in the practice of law and a demonstrated ability to function independently in relevant subject matters (Note: The university is open to applications from candidates with less experience and a demonstrated interest to develop in these areas, in which case the title “Assistant General Counsel” will apply.)
• Ability to identify, analyze, and explain legal issues in a clear, timely, and thorough way to senior university administrators;
• Experience with collegiate or professional athletics is strongly preferred, including a working knowledge of the financial and operational goals of a D1 collegiate athletics program; 
• Prior experience working with sports agents/managers; 
• Advanced oral and written communications skills and the ability to work rapidly and collaboratively while providing exceptional service to campus partners; 
• Willingness to learn new areas of law, or to apply prior legal practice to a higher education environment;
• Experience in regulatory analysis, and a strong understanding of NCAA regulations and compliance requirements; 
• Demonstrated ability to navigate a large, complex organization, including excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills;
• Strong critical thinking skills, sound judgment, and strategic ability; and
• Proficiency with common technology for document creation and management. 

* Cover letter and writing sample must be submitted for consideration.