Job details

Legal Officer (Employment Law) - Office of Legal Affairs

Legal Officer - Office of Legal AffairsPosition Summary:UTHealth Houston is seeking a Legal Officer to provide legal advice and counsel with a primary focus on employment law. Recognized as the most comprehensive academic health center in the UT System and the U.S. Gulf Coast region, UTHealth Houston is Texas’ resource for healthcare education, innovation, and excellence in patient care. Our mission is to educate health science professionals, discover and translate advances in the biomedical and social sciences and model the best practices in clinical care and public health. In addition to our seven schools, our faculty practice plan, UT Physicians, employs over 2,000+ providers that operate our 100+ clinical locations. We are also home to the largest academic behavioral health hospital in the country.We are seeking candidates that are collaborative and take great pride in building relationships. In addition, the Legal Officer must have excellent research skills and a keen eye for detail. The Legal Officer should be able to interpret and apply complex laws and regulations, draft legal documents, and provide sound advice to key stakeholders across the university. Candidates should also have excellent oral and written communication skills, strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively with internal and external teams. This key position will report directly to our Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, Melissa Pifko, J.D.Candidates should have a minimum of three (3) years of employment law experience and hold a Juris Doctorate (JD) degree from an American Bar Association accredited law school and a license to practice law in Texas. All candidates will be considered with a preference for those with prior experience in healthcare or higher education.Position Key Accountabilities:• Provides interpretation and opinions regarding various laws, regulations, and internal and external policies regarding employment law and other litigation-related matters.• Collaborates with Human Resources on all issues of the law related to the organization's human capital.• Monitors legal issues and implications concerned with discrimination, sexual harassment, health and safety, hiring and firing, other aspects of employee rights and responsibilities, and other areas of higher education law and health law.• Coordinates litigators and litigation and certain regulatory investigations involving the institution and its employees.• Drafts and/or reviews various documents and forms as required for institutional business purposes.• Advises as necessary the various institutional committees and managers.• Interacts and/or intervenes with The University of Texas System Office of General Counsel, the Texas Attorney General, and various private attorneys.• Responds to subpoenas and requests for information and records.• Coordinates certain internal hearings and assures that institutional policies are followed and due process is achieved.• Negotiates on behalf of the institution in mediation and other situations encountered in pursuit of resolving legal conflicts to which the institution is a party of interest.• Attends depositions and other legal proceedings to assist/coordinate outside attorneys representing the institution.• Conducts or participates in training on various legal issues.• Performs other duties as assigned.Certification/Skills:• ATT- JD Attorney, Licensed by the State Bar of Texas required.• Proficiency in legal research via library or computer.Minimum Education:Juris Doctorate degree from an American Bar Association accredited law school required.Minimum Experience:Three (3) years of employment law experience required. Experience in health care or higher education preferred.Physical Requirements:Exerts up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds frequently and/or a negligible amount constantly to move objects.Security Sensitive:This job class may contain positions that are security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of Texas Education Code § 51.215Residency Requirement:Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.

Average salary estimate

Estimate provided by employer

$37 / HOURLY (est.)

min

max

$31.33

$42.6

If an employer mentions a salary or salary range on their job, we display it as an "Employer Estimate". If a job has no salary data, Rise displays an estimate if available.

What You Should Know About Legal Officer (Employment Law) - Office of Legal Affairs, UTHealth Houston

If you're a skilled legal mind with a passion for ensuring fair employment practices, consider joining UTHealth Houston as a Legal Officer focusing on Employment Law. In this role, you'll become an integral part of the Office of Legal Affairs, working alongside some of the brightest professionals in the healthcare sector. Your primary responsibility will involve offering legal advice and guidance on various employment-related issues, lending your expertise to navigate complex laws and regulations. At UTHealth, recognized as the leading academic health center in the U.S. Gulf Coast region, you will excel in an environment highly committed to healthcare education and patient care excellence. We value collaboration, so your ability to foster relationships with stakeholders, particularly in Human Resources, will be vital. Your analytical prowess will shine as you interpret laws related to discrimination, health, and safety in the workplace. You’ll be involved in drafting vital legal documents, coordinating with internal teams, and even representing the institution during mediations and legal proceedings. This role requires a Juris Doctorate from an ABA-accredited law school, a license to practice in Texas, and at least three years of relevant experience. Ideally, candidates with backgrounds in healthcare or higher education will find this position rewarding as you contribute to our mission of improving public health through legal support. Join us at UTHealth Houston and make a difference where it truly counts!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Legal Officer (Employment Law) - Office of Legal Affairs Role at UTHealth Houston

What are the primary responsibilities of the Legal Officer (Employment Law) at UTHealth Houston?

As a Legal Officer in Employment Law at UTHealth Houston, your main responsibilities will include providing legal interpretations and opinions on various employment-related laws and regulations. You will collaborate with Human Resources and ensure the organization adheres to legal policies concerning employee rights and responsibilities. Your role will also involve drafting documents, representing the institution in legal matters, and ensuring compliance with internal policies.