Job Summary

THE CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY ("Caltech")'s Office of the General Counsel ("OGC") is searching for an experienced and highly versatile lawyer. We seek a lawyer with the ability, experience, and breadth of interests to advise and represent Caltech across the full range of issues pertaining to a major research and teaching institution that includes a federally funded research and development center. This Associate General Counsel will be responsible for assisting the General Counsel in the provision and coordination of legal services to the Caltech campus, its off-site Jet Propulsion Laboratory ("JPL") and other Caltech facilities.

Job Duties

• This Counsel’s responsibilities will include oversight of outside counsel in litigation matters, interactions with federal agencies, and advising clients in the wide variety of laws that directly affect the Institute as a research university and government contractor. Examples of matters that may be included in the scope of duties are such areas as safety/environmental issues, contract issues and employee and student issues.
• This Counsel will provide advice to clients as well as coordinate litigation and may lead investigations. In addition to dealing with specific issues as they arise, this Counsel will proactively engage with clients to ensure that client objectives are achieved while compliance with laws and regulations is maintained.  This counsel should enjoy learning new areas of law and becoming knowledgeable in a short period of time.  Equally important is the lawyer's ability to pragmatically strategize on the laws' application and the short and long term effect on the Institute.  With this comes the ability to assess the legal environment and work with groups on affecting policies and practices
• This lawyer will educate others, both non-lawyers and lawyers, about applicable laws and regulations and the changes and updates to those laws and regulations.  All OGC lawyers are both generalists and specialists. Accordingly, this Counsel's focus will evolve and expand as dictated by the needs of Caltech and the General Counsel.
• OGC lawyers work independently but collaboratively, in a collegial team environment of a fast-paced law office within a premier institution renowned for creativity, innovation, and bold, experimental risk-taking
• The General Counsel relies on all attorneys in the office for expertise, judgment and advice. This Counsel will work collaboratively with many academic and administrative offices and functions within Caltech and JPL, including Caltech faculty, and will be a member of the Risk, Dispute and Litigation Management Group in the Office of General Counsel.

Basic Qualifications

• This position requires a J.D. degree from an ABA accredited law school
• At least eight years of experience in law practice in California are required
• Admission to the California bar
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and strong academic credentials
• Extensive expertise and experience in the practical application of federal and state laws
• Ability to organize and manage multiple projects and prioritize competing client needs in an often-changing, cutting-edge environment; grounded judgment but highly flexible thinking
• Polished communication and diplomacy skills and the ability to perceive and explain the practical application of law in complex situations
• OGC lawyers initiate action and are results-oriented problem solvers, able to work cooperatively across a complex organization with shared governance and numerous stakeholders. The OGC values intelligence, energy, a sense of urgency, attention to detail, resourcefulness, collegiality, and good humor

Preferred Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience with sophisticated law firm training and litigation experience
• Knowledge of laws specifically regarding a research university and/or federal contractor

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter