Special Instructions to Applicants: In PDF form, applicants should attach a resume and cover letter in the Supporting Documents section of the application. The cover letter should be one page or less and should explain the applicant’s interest in the position but not restate information found in the resume.

About Rice

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.  

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff, and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice’s culture. They come through in how we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name — RICE — Responsibility, Integrity, Community, and Excellence.

Position Summary

Nobel Prizes. MacArthur “Genius Grants.” Poets Laureate. Groundbreaking cancer research. A world-class opera hall. An unmatched culture of care. The celebration of our multicultural and multinational community in the heart of the nation’s most diverse city.

In the Office of General Counsel, we serve a preeminent research university whose excellence is established and whose ambitions, under President Reginald DesRoches, are courageous, transformational, and global. For its students, for learning and discovery, and for the world, Rice University’s moment has arrived.

To help us rise to the moment, we seek an attorney capable of becoming a higher education generalist, and who has a strong background in one or more of the following areas: regulatory compliance, labor/employment law, contracts, litigation, business operations, student affairs, nonprofit law, data privacy and security, employee benefits, or corporate governance. The Assistant General Counsel will report directly to the Vice President and General Counsel and provide comprehensive legal representation, advice, and counsel to the university’s academic and administrative officials.

But no single day is typical for a top research university, so our commitment is to provide or, when necessary, develop the substantive expertise our clients need. Therefore, the ideal candidate will also have the experience and versatility to solve problems in many areas of practice. As a team, we value versatility, attention to detail, discretion, and curiosity. Our collective aim is to represent Rice with the highest standards of civility, commitment, and creativity.

The ideal candidate has 6 or more years’ experience as a practicing attorney; has represented a college or university, a nonprofit, a government agency, or other similarly complex, mission-driven organization; and has developed a strong substantive background in administrative/regulatory law, labor/employment law, contracts, litigation/litigation management, business operations, higher education or K-12 school law, student affairs, employee benefits, and/or nonprofit law.

Workplace Requirements

This position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. Per Rice Policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position, and the salary is $175,000 - $200,000 annually; pay will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Working Conditions

This position requires extended working hours, including nights and weekends, as our clients’ needs require. Out-of-town travel is infrequent (rarely over 5%).

Minimum Requirements

J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school 2 years of experience as a practicing attorney and directly advising clients; active and substantial engagement in the practice of law as the applicant’s principal occupation for at least 2 years immediately preceding the application. Either (a) an active license to practice law in Texas, or (b) an active license to practice law in another US jurisdiction and the ability to become licensed in Texas within one year of hire. A strong substantive background in administrative/regulatory law, labor/employment law, contracts, litigation/litigation management, business law, higher education or K-12 school law, student affairs, nonprofit law, data privacy and security, and/or corporate governance.

Skills

Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with diverse parties. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with diverse and varied stakeholders, including university officials, faculty, professional staff, and trustees.  A personal commitment to problem-solving and to learning diverse, new substantive areas of the law that affect our clients.  Collegiality, a willingness to support colleagues, and a commitment to the diverse, multicultural mission of higher education and private university research institutions. Commitment to provide expeditious, high-quality advice and representation to our clients and the dedication to work the hours needed to meet those expectations. Proficiency with typical business technology and software, including video conferencing applications. High degree of comfort and experience with typical business technology and software (e.g., cloud-based applications, document management, etc.). Legal research and advice on complex regulatory matters, litigation, student matters, labor/employment law, and business transactions. Training to sophisticated audiences on complex legal matters. Drafting and review of contracts, policies, and procedures. Handling of multiple matters at once, independently and proactively

Preferences

6 or more years’ experience as a practicing attorney. Experience providing legal representation and/or counsel to universities, nonprofits, government agencies, or other similarly complex, mission-driven organizations. Experience training sophisticated audiences on complex legal matters.

Essential Functions

Reporting to the Vice President and General Counsel, provides legal advice and representation to various university officials, including the President, Provost, vice presidents, deans, office of human resources, nondiscrimination office, university police department, athletics department, disability resources center, and other academic and administrative offices. Conducts legal research on the diverse areas of law that affect the university. Develops expertise in, and advises on, a diverse range of practice areas, such as student life and academics, compliance, litigation and litigation management, labor and employment, civil rights, nonprofit and corporate governance, contracts, procurement, open government/public records, development and fundraising, privacy, research, accreditation, risk management, law enforcement, real estate, public finance, administrative and regulatory law, threat assessment, health and safety, policy, information technology, legislation, and constitutional law. Trains university officials and employees on pertinent legal matters that affect university operations.   Provides advice and support to assure that activities are consistent with federal, state, and local obligations. As needed, manages the efforts of outside counsel. Serves on university task forces and committees, and works visibly and closely with representatives from diverse university offices, the Houston community, and other important communities with which Rice engages. Participates in regular meetings, both within the Office of General Counsel and with other stakeholders at Rice. Works independently on routine legal matters, and discerns issues of institutional importance that require additional collaboration with legal team members, the Vice President and General Counsel, and other university officials. Devises and provides practical, risk-tolerant solutions for problems, balancing legal considerations with Rice’s strategic priorities. Promotes Rice’s Culture of Care.  Performs other duties as assigned.

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits 

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Rice University’s Disability Resource Center at 713-348-5841 or adarice@rice.edu for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.