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Auburn University’s Office of General Counsel seeks a Senior Staff Counsel OR University Counsel to engage in a challenging, wide-ranging transactional practice with an emphasis in real estate business transactions and complex commercial agreements. Such legal support may encompass a broad variety of issues related to facilities, real estate, commercial leases, construction and compliance, the acquisition and disposition of property, airport management, and legal issues pertaining to the design, construction, and delivery phases for both new construction and renovations. The Senior Staff/University Counsel may be asked to advise on such transactions as public/private partnerships, hotel operating agreements, strategic financing, construction, and development agreements. The Senior Staff/University Counsel may also act as a lead legal liaison on complex strategic commercial transactions that impact the institution, including agreements related to large scale professional services, housing and food service, apparel endorsements, pouring rights, information technology, revenue generating ventures, intellectual property, trademark licensing, and other general business and transactional matters. The Senior Staff/University Counsel will provide contract negotiation, drafting, strategic planning and client counseling services to University constituents and associated University entities. This person will work closely with all the attorneys in the Office of the General Counsel.

For this position, the Office of the General Counsel seeks an attorney who has substantial sophisticated transactional legal experience, strong drafting and negotiating skills, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team. The Senior Staff/University Counsel should have expertise as a corporate transactional/real estate attorney with the attitude of a generalist able to serve and support the institution in any assigned area of legal work. The ability to produce work comparable to that of experienced and sophisticated outside counsel is essential. The Senior Staff/University Counsel should have advanced written communication skills and the ability to create and deliver effective materials and/or presentations appropriate to a particular audience, including university leadership, senior university officials, and university trustees. Also essential to this role are strong analytical and problem-solving abilities; initiative, intellectual curiosity, creativity, strategic common sense, and good judgment.

Auburn University is more than just an institution; it’s a vibrant community where real people come together to make a difference. Our commitment to students, employees, communities, and our world runs deep, and it’s reflected in every corner of our campus and beyond.

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Come and Stay: The median length of employment for an Auburn employee is 10 years. That’s because Auburn invests in its people. We’re not a revolving door; we’re a family. The Auburn Family. We grow together, learn together, and build lasting relationships.

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A Place for Everyone: We are committed to fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and respected, and we celebrate our unique perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences. When you work at Auburn, you’re a part of a rich tapestry of individuals who bring their authentic selves to the table to create a welcoming and engaging university community.