Description

POSITION OF GENERAL COUNSEL

BOARD OF REGENTS FOR THE OKLAHOMA

AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL COLLEGES

The Board of Regents for the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges (Board) invites applications for the position of General Counsel.  The General Counsel reports directly to the Board's Chief Executive Officer/Board Secretary (CEO/Secretary) and the Board of Regents. The General Counsel oversees and manages the provision of legal services to the Board and its institutions, and serves as the chief legal advisor to the Board, its CEO/Secretary, and its institutions in carrying out the duties and responsibilities of the Board.  The General Counsel is responsible for the management and coordination of all legal services provided by the Office of Legal Counsel.

The Office of Legal Counsel is located on the campus of Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma with Board offices in Oklahoma City and Tulsa.  The Office of Legal Counsel serves the presidents, officers, administrators, faculty, and staff in their official capacities at the five institutions governed by the Board, which are Connors State College; Langston University; Northeastern Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College; Oklahoma Panhandle State University; and the Oklahoma State University System. 

Performance of the General Counsel is evaluated annually by the Board, its CEO/Secretary, and by a survey of institutional presidents and other constituents.

Specifically, the General Counsel performs the following duties:

•        Identifies legal issues and provides legal advice to the Board and staff concerning all operations of the Board Offices;
•        Attends all meetings of the Board of Regents and acts as legal advisor to the Board;
•        Responsible for the preparation and review of legal documents including a variety of contracts and proposed legislation;
•        Responsible for drafting and review of Board and institutional policies, rules, and regulations;
•        Assists institutional personnel regarding the interpretation and application of Board and institutional policies, rules, and regulations;
•        Coordinates and facilitates communication among institutional personnel on legal issues of system-wide concern;
•        Selects and manages outside counsel to represent the Board and/or its institutions in litigation;
•        Investigates complaints and other matters brought to the attention of the Office of Legal Counsel, as appropriate;
•        Keeps the Board and its CEO/Secretary informed of matters which may pose significant risk to the Board or its institutions;
•        Supervises, delegates, and evaluates the work of staff attorneys and executive administrative assistants, which work, at a minimum, includes responding to complaints lodged with various federal and state agencies (EEOC, U.S. Department of Education - Office for Civil Rights, etc.); handling faculty/staff employment matters; processing subpoenas and Open Records Act requests; providing advice on student conduct issues; involvement in revenue bond financing transactions; preparing and/or reviewing real estate transaction documents; and providing advice on intellectual property matters;
•        Participates in continuing legal education through membership in the State and local Bar Associations and National Association of College and University Attorneys, and stays current on legal issues; and
•        Completes such other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Board and its CEO/Secretary.

The successful applicant for this position will possess the following qualifications/characteristics:

•        Juris Doctorate from a law school approved for accreditation by the American Bar Association;
•        A member in good standing of the Bar in the state in which he/she practices;
•        Eligibility to practice law in Oklahoma;
•        Senior level legal experience in a law firm, government agency, corporation, or comparable entity;
•        Demonstrated capacity to deliver legal advice in a complex environment, involving an array of distinct constituencies;
•        Evidence of strong written and oral communications skills; and
•        Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to successfully gain the trust and confidence of clients at the highest levels of college and university communities.

To apply for this position, please submit a resume and letter of interest to:

Ms. Jennifer Callahan, Chair

General Counsel Search Committee

board@okstate.edu

To receive full consideration, the requested materials should be submitted no later than June 30, 2026.