Assistant General Counsel-Transactional & International (General Counsel)

Assistant General Counsel-Transactional & International (General Counsel)

JHU is seeking applications to fill a position of Assistant General Counsel - Transactional & International ("AGC") to work in a wide-ranging, intellectually stimulating, and collaborative practice within the Office of the Senior Vice President and General Counsel ("OGC"). The AGC will work primarily in the Business Transactions and Commercial Matters practice group and will have a secondary appointment within the Compliance practice group.

Working with the applicable practice group leader and other OGC colleagues, the AGC will share responsibility for providing legal counsel across the JHU enterprise, with a focus on (i) transactional matters including real estate and general business and (ii) international business, contractual and regulatory compliance support.

The successful candidate will have relevant years of legal experience advising on commercial transactions and a strong proficiency in drafting and negotiating complex transactional agreements. The successful candidate will also have proficiency in negotiating the distinct aspects of international agreements as a U.S. entity.

OGC is seeking an attorney who is sensitive to and understands the special nature of working in an academic institution where the need for a collaborative working style, flexibility, adaptability, and patience are critical to success. The ideal candidate is a lawyer who sees the big picture, is practical, and who will bring to the position energy and a sense of urgency and a passion for the mission of JHU.

Specific duties and responsibilities:

• Provide legal guidance and support on commercial transactions to the Johns Hopkins Facilities and Real Estate Office; the Development and Alumni Relations Office; the Treasurer's Office and other University clients, primarily focused on real estate leasing, real estate development, acquisitions and dispositions of real estate, property management agreements, construction, gift agreements, financings and other banking agreements.
• Assist with and conduct the due diligence review of documents, title records and surveys relating to the acquisition or disposition of real estate, the assessment of potential gifts of real estate and/or potential complex gifts, including gifts involving international donors.
• Draft and negotiate joint venture agreements and agreements for other commercial transactions.
• Advise on due diligence, edits and negotiations involving memoranda of understanding, student exchange agreements, research collaboration agreements and other contractual engagements with international partners.
• Advise on the rights and obligations of the University under and the interpretation of existing joint venture and other commercial agreements.
• Advise on and assist with the governance of the University's legal entities in the United States and in countries around the world.
• Work with clients and university central offices to facilitate the "registration" of the University in other countries under local non-governmental organization (NGO) and nonprofit laws in coordination with foreign counsel and assist with relevant corporate filings associated with maintaining those registrations.
• Assist with annual university filings involving international gifts and contracts.
• Work with clients and colleagues on a broad range of business transactions and issues.
• Other areas and projects as assigned.

Minimum qualifications:

• J.D.
• Three years legal experience

Preferred qualifications:

• At least 3 years of experience as transactional counsel.
• Experience drafting and negotiating complex agreements for and conducting closings on real estate transactions
• Experience working on contracts and/or related corporate matters with international entities and organizations.
• Willingness to learn new subject areas and ability to implement newly acquired knowledge.
• Commitment to providing excellent customer service through prompt and practical legal advice.
• Strong analytic skills, with an ability to identify and apply sound judgment and reasoning.
• Ability to work effectively, both independently and as part of a team, in a fast-paced environment, to handle multiple complex tasks, and to prioritize competing deadlines generated by multiple constituencies.
• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and collegially with JHU personnel at all levels of education, skill, and responsibility, as well as with external sponsors and outside counsel.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion and tact when handling sensitive issues.
• Appropriate self-awareness, including when to escalate matters.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft office software (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook).
• Excellent analytical, interpersonal, and oral and written communication skills.

Superb professional judgment and high ethical standards.

Attention to detail and ability to manage a high volume of work and multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Strong organization, project management, and problem-solving skills.

Ability to work with senior university leadership.

Ability to work independently in a highly complex organization.

A good sense of humor.