Legal Counsel – Higher Education

The Community Solution Education System

Legal Counsel advising on higher education law within The Community Solution Education System. Ensuring compliance and mitigating risks to enhance student experience across institutional operations.

Posted 7/29/2026full-timeRemote • Illinois • 🇺🇸 United StatesSeniorLeadWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates extensive legal expertise in higher education law, including compliance with federal and state regulations, risk assessment, and institutional governance. Proven ability to provide legal counsel on student affairs, academic matters, and dispute resolution strategies.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Employment LawHigher Education LawJuris Doctor (J.D.)Title IX ComplianceFERPA Knowledge

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Legal CounselRisk AssessmentLitigation ExperienceDispute ResolutionPolicy DevelopmentCompliance SupportInvestigation SupportContract NegotiationGovernance AdvisoryAcademic Leadership Support

Soft Skills

CollaborationCommunicationProblem-SolvingNegotiation

Certifications & Qualifications

Illinois Licensure

Industry Keywords

Higher Education RegulationsStudent AffairsAcademic AffairsCampus SafetyAccessibility AccommodationsInstitutional ComplianceCalifornia Higher Education Law

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Providing legal counsel and risk assessment on day-to-day operational, administrative, and strategic matters supporting higher education system and institutional operations
Advising on student affairs and academic matters, including Title IX, student conduct, faculty issues, accessibility accommodations, and related institutional processes
Supporting compliance with federal and state higher education regulations, including FERPA, Title IV, campus safety requirements, immigration-related matters, and other applicable regulatory frameworks
Advising on institutional governance matters, including contracts, policies, and intellectual property issues impacting academic and administrative operations
Conducting or supporting investigations and advising on appropriate resolution strategies, including coordination with institutional leaders and external partners as needed
Supporting negotiation and settlement efforts and partnering with internal stakeholders to resolve disputes efficiently and effectively

Requirements

What you’ll need

Minimum of 7 years of experience in employment law and higher education law
Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an ABA-accredited law school
Experience providing legal counsel and risk assessment in higher education environments
Experience supporting institutional governance, policy development, or academic leadership decision-making
Strong knowledge of higher education regulatory frameworks, including student affairs, academic affairs, and institutional compliance matters (e.g., Title IX, student conduct, FERPA, Title IV, campus safety, accessibility accommodations)
Ability and willingness to obtain and maintain licensure in Illinois within an appropriate timeframe upon hire
Experience with litigation, administrative proceedings, or dispute resolution in higher education matters (preferred)
Experience with California higher education law and regulatory requirements (preferred)

Benefits

Comp & perks

Comprehensive health and welfare benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage
Voluntary benefit options
Employer-paid life and disability insurance
Retirement plan contributions
Employee assistance program
Strong work-life balance with 20 PTO days and 11 paid holidays annually
Distributed workforce model with remote work flexibility and a biweekly remote work stipend
Tuition reimbursement for eligible external degree programs
Tuition waivers at participating colleges within the System