University Counsel/Chief Legal Officer, George Mason University
Company: DHRM
Location: Fairfax
Posted on: April 4, 2026
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Job Description:
Title: University Counsel/Chief Legal Officer, George Mason
University State Role Title: Senior Assistant Attorney General
Hiring Range: Commensurate with Experience Pay Band: UG Agency:
Attorney General & Dept of Law Location: NORTHERN VIRGINIA Agency
Website: https://www.oag.state.va.us/ Recruitment Type: General
Public - G Job Duties Chief Objective: This position serves as
chief legal officer and agency counsel for George Mason University,
Virginia’s largest and most diverse public research university with
over 40,000 students across multiple campuses in Northern Virginia.
The University Counsel serves as the University’s lead attorney and
provides comprehensive legal services across all aspects of
university operations, including the Antonin Scalia Law School.
Serving as agency counsel requires advising decision-makers
throughout the organization on the legal risks and obligations
associated with their duties as employees or board members. The
University Counsel may also represent the University in state or
federal court, before regulatory bodies and to third parties in
pre-litigation and transactional matters. Additionally, this
individual will provide other legal services to the Commonwealth as
directed by the Office of the Attorney General. Work Tasks and
Duties: Provide legal counsel and strategic advice to the Board of
Visitors, President, Provost, Deans, and senior administrators
across all university campuses and operations Lead and coordinate
the Office of University Counsel, working with associate counsel
and support staff to provide comprehensive legal services Advise on
complex legal matters affecting university operations, including
academic affairs, research, student matters, employment law,
intellectual property, technology and cybersecurity law, real
estate, finance, athletics, and regulatory compliance Provide
specialized counsel related to the Antonin Scalia Law School,
including law school accreditation, academic programs, and law
school operations Identify legal limitations on policy decisions or
operational actions proposed by the University and its various
schools, departments, and affiliated entities Establish and
maintain relationships with University leadership, faculty, staff,
and Board members to foster well-informed decision-making Counsel
University leadership on legal risks associated with the operation
of institutional programs, research activities, and multi-campus
operations Conduct research to provide cogent legal analysis and
stay abreast of developments in higher education law, technology
law, and other relevant areas Provide written advice and
recommendations, typically by e-mail or through formal memoranda
and presentations Advise the Board of Visitors on policy-setting,
governance, and compliance matters Represent the University in
defending and resolving complaints filed in state or federal court
or before regulatory bodies Recommend and negotiate settlement of
disputes in accordance with OAG procedures Review and revise drafts
of institutional policies and contracts prior to execution, as
requested by clients Advise institutional leadership on personnel
matters, including faculty appointments, employment disputes, and
labor relations Provide training and advice on legal compliance
matters such as FOIA, COIA, FERPA, GDCDPA, the Public Records Act,
Title IX, Title VI, ADA, procurement processes, research
regulations, and other laws applicable to public universities
Advise institutional decision-makers tasked with conducting student
disciplinary processes and faculty grievance matters Advise campus
safety personnel, including university police and threat assessment
teams, on policy development, statistical reporting, and incident
response across multiple campus locations Review and comment on
draft regulations and advise on compliance with the Administrative
Process Act Advise on real estate transactions and review and
approve as to form deeds and related documents Coordinate with the
Office of the Attorney General on matters requiring additional
resources or specialized expertise Recommend use of outside counsel
as appropriate and administer contracts in accordance with OAG
procedures Participate in OAG bill review process as assigned
Contribute to OAG opinions process as assigned Share expertise with
attorneys in the Education Section and throughout the OAG as
requested Manage office operations and budget Performs other
related duties as required. Minimum Qualifications Extensive
knowledge of the law related to public institutions of higher
education, including large, multi-campus research universities,
developed through academic training, seminars, and substantial
legal experience in the specialty area Knowledge of fundamental
subjects in law including employment law, public procurement and
contracting, FOIA, FERPA, Title IX, Title VI, constitutional
rights, intellectual property, technology and cybersecurity law,
research compliance, data management, and real estate Knowledge of
legal research procedures and advanced legal analysis Knowledge of
the preparation of briefs and presentation of arguments for cases
before state and federal agencies and courts Knowledge of the
practices and procedures of the Office of the Attorney General
Demonstrated leadership skills with experience managing legal
operations Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in
writing, with diverse audiences including boards, senior
executives, faculty, and staff Ability to use judgment, tact and
discretion in handling sensitive and complex matters Ability to
quickly assimilate oral and written data, to analyze complex facts,
and draw logical conclusions Ability to express legal
interpretations or conclusions of law clearly and logically in oral
and written form Ability to maintain records and prepare reports
and correspondence related to the work Ability to organize work,
establish priorities, and maintain good interpersonal relations and
communications with other attorneys and support staff as well as
effective working relationships with university administrators,
Board members, faculty, government officials, vendors and the
general public Ability to coordinate and function as lead counsel
for a large, diverse research university Ability to spot potential
barriers and identify resolutions to complex legal concerns Ability
to identify and analyze issues and problems in management,
governance, and human relations and to recommend and implement
solutions Skills of persuasion, consensus building and conflict
resolution Computer literacy Membership in the Virginia State Bar
Special Instructions Kindly utilize the Virginia Jobs website
(https://www.jobs.virginia.gov) to submit your application.
Applications sent to the Recruitment email address will not be
reviewed for the hiring process. We do not entertain phone calls or
emails inquiring about application status; instead, please login to
the PageUp/RMS system for updates on your application's status.
Contact Information Name: OAG Recruitment Phone: 804-786-2071
Email: recruitment@oag.state.va.us In support of the Commonwealth’s
commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with
disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring
Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will
need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the
Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the
Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI).
Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status
questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable,
to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can
be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019. Note :
Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or
DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use
that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring
Process.
Keywords: DHRM, Olney , University Counsel/Chief Legal Officer, George Mason University, Legal , Fairfax, Maryland
