Vice President for Legal Affairs and General Counsel

About This Role

Reporting directly to Kansas State’s president, the vice president for legal affairs and general counsel is the principal legal officer for the university, with overall responsibility for the vision and leadership of the university’s legal strategy.

A valued member of the leadership team and president’s cabinet, the general counsel provides advice and counsel on all significant legal matters and serves as a strategic thought partner on key issues impacting the university. The general counsel also is responsible for leading and managing K-State’s Office of the General Counsel, or OGC.

For more details about this position, please review our executive profile.

About Us

The Office of General Counsel (OGC) provides strategic, preventive and responsive legal advice and representation to the university and its leaders. Responsibilities include client counseling; legal research; internal dispute resolution; litigation before state and federal courts and regulatory agencies; policy review and development; contract review and negotiation; legal presentations and training seminars; and other duties concerning the array of legal issues arising in the context of higher education.

The OGC provides advice and representation to university administrators on topics including employment issues, nondiscrimination, constitutional rights, tort liability, public safety issues, crisis management, intellectual property, contracts, organizational governance, research, international activities, student issues, real estate, tax and other legal matters. The primary emphasis is on effective preventive law. The OGC strives to provide timely, thorough, accurate legal advice and strategic counseling with an absolute commitment to ethical conduct and exceptional client service to collaboratively solve and prevent problems.

Our primary emphasis is on effective preventive law. It is our goal to serve the University by helping to ensure legal compliance in all areas and to minimize legal risks and costs to the University. We strive to give sound, timely legal advice and assistance to prevent legal problems and to effectively resolve any disputes involving the University. We have several education initiatives designed to proactively enhance client awareness of potential legal issues, compliance obligations and best practices.

We also provide vigorous representation of the University in matters that enter litigation or other dispute resolution arenas.

Please visit our website for more information about the Office of General Counsel and Kansas State University.

Worksite Option

This position is on-site. 

What You'll Need to Succeed

Minimum Qualifications:

• A juris doctor degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
• At least 10 years of significant and broad-based legal experience.
• Membership in good standing with the Kansas Bar or membership in another U.S. jurisdiction with the ability to obtain Kansas licensure within one year of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience managing attorneys spanning a wide range of legal expertise and selecting and managing outside counsel.
• A demonstrated track record in and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and promoting and supporting DEI efforts within an organization.
• Experience handling the legal issues facing land-grant universities, institutions with high research activity and/or Division I college athletics programs.

Personal Traits and Attributes:

• A demonstrated commitment to excellence, intellectual curiosity, strong work ethic and integrity.
• Outstanding executive leadership skills with proven ability to support and counsel a large and complex organization with various constituencies.
• Enthusiasm for university life, and the confidence necessary to engage with high-level administrative and academic officials in a fast-paced setting.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively (both orally and in written form).
• Readiness to lead in a time of change; ability to bring out the best in each team member by consistently motivating, coaching and acknowledging contributions.
• Capacity to work proactively, collaboratively and as a member of a team, while empowering direct reports, emphasizing accountability and identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Comfortability with change and the ability to pivot quickly as needs and priorities change.
• High ethical standards, a strong moral compass, integrity, courage and perseverance.

How to Apply

Major, Lindsey & Africa is assisting Kansas State University with this search.  All applications, nominations and inquiries should be directed to Major, Lindsey & Africa.