Posted: May 28, 2025

Staff Attorney OR Assistant General Counsel

Grand Valley State University - Allendale, MI

Application Deadline: N/A

Allendale, MI

Full Time

R102999

This position will provide legal advice, assistance, and training to University officials, including with respect to immigration and visa-related needs of international faculty and staff, labor and employment inquiries, intellectual property matters, and related University compliance.

This is a full time, in person position in Allendale, MI.

Salary & Benefits:

Staff Attorney: Minimum starting salary of $80,000, commensurate with experience

Assistant General Counsel: Minimum starting salary of $95,000, commensurate with experience

Comprehensive benefits package including medical, vision, dental, life insurance, generous employer retirement contributions, wellness resources and tuition waiver effective on date of hire.

Opening is for a single position. Position title and salary commensurate with experience as described below.
PRIMARY DUTIES:

Staff attorney:

• Assist with the visa application process for international faculty and staff, including partnering with human resources and paralegal to ensure that appropriate visa application documents are created and submitted.
• Partner with human resources and paralegal in completing applications for Step 1 and Step 2 of permanent residency process for university employees.
• Liaise with human resources team and other external partners regarding any immigration-related needs and answer questions as appropriate throughout the international employee hiring process.
• Engage with Outside Counsel as needed to address the immigration needs of the University as directed and supervised by General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel.
• Assist in addressing legal issues related to labor and employment law, including conducting research, engaging with Outside Counsel as directed and supervised by General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel, and assisting partners across the University.
• Assist in addressing legal issues related to intellectual property, including conducting research, engaging with Outside Counsel as directed and supervised by General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel, and assisting partners across the University.
• Conduct legal research and develop reports as needed. Draft legal documents and other routine correspondence.
• Provide project-based supervision for paralegal or other team members, as assigned by General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel.
• Assist in projects as directed by the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel.

Assistant general counsel:

• All duties of the Staff Attorney position. Serve on committees or task forces, as assigned.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision and successfully prioritize competing responsibilities.
• Engage with Outside Counsel as needed to address the immigration needs of the University.
• Work with human resources and other departments, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Other Duties:

• Perform other duties as directed by General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Staff attorney:

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
• Minimum of three (3) years active practice of law.
• Member in good standing of the State Bar of Michigan or member in good standing of another state bar and able and willing to gain admission to the Michigan Bar within 1 year of employment.
• Proficient in legal research, including electronic databases, and legal writing.
• Proficiency with office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to interact and work effectively.
• Experience working with people of diverse backgrounds.
• Effective communication and organizational skills, with the ability to work through processes, identify and implement process improvements and resolve complex matters.
• Effective planning, problem solving and analytical skills, ingenuity, judgment, and administrative skills.
• Demonstrate a positive attitude and a desire to learn.
• Must be able to protect and safeguard sensitive information with the highest level of confidentiality.
• Experience working under pressure and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to develop and maintain professional and collegial relationships with peers, colleagues, administrators, vendors, government officials, outside counsel, etc.

Assistant General Counsel:

• All required knowledge, skills and abilities of the Staff Attorney.
• Minimum of seven (7) years active practice of law.

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Basic understanding of U.S. immigration law as it relates to employment, including use of immigration or visa-related technology systems.
• Basic understanding of employment-related law and regulations.
• Basic understanding of intellectual property-related concepts and law.
• Working experience in higher education.

How to Apply: Attach your cover letter and resume, these documents are required, applications missing required documents will not be considered. The system will allow you to attach these documents electronically. If you have questions about the position or the posting, please contact Candace Phenix (mailto:[email protected] or 616-331-2067). If you need technical assistance, please contact Human Resources at mailto:[email protected].

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.

Application Deadline: Application review begins June 9, 2025, this posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Must have the physical stamina to work long hours and/or more than 5 days per week. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended by the ADA Amendment Act (2008), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other applicable federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. GVSU will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. See www.gvsu.edu/equalopportunity/. TDD Callers: Call Michigan Relay Center at 711 (in State) or 1-800-833-7833 (out of State).

Grand Valley State University is an Antidiscrimination/Equal Opportunity Employer, which includes providing equal opportunity for racial and ethnic minorities, women, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. University policy extends protections to additional identities.

To apply, visit https://apptrkr.com/6257217

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