Legal Counsel
The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA)* is hiring for Legal Counsel. The Legal Counsel is responsible for providing in-house legal counsel under the supervision of the Chief Legal Officer. The Legal Counsel provides expert and strategic advice and counsel on a wide range of complex and novel legal issues to officers and employees of the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA). The position requires the ability to exercise independent judgment and professional discretion in the identification, investigation, management, and resolution of legal and related business problems. Qualified individuals will possess the skills to work collegially with a team of attorneys and other professionals and to have effective written and oral communication with WFAA colleagues, constituents, and various outside organizations. This position is a hybrid role that will require you to work in our Madison, WI office location at least two days weekly.
Who is WFAA?
The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association is a private, nonprofit corporation that encourages individuals and organizations to make gifts to the university and to connect with the UW. In 2014, the UW Foundation merged with the Wisconsin Alumni Association® to better serve a growing population of UW alumni and donors. We believe that private support grows out of good relationships between campus leaders, faculty and program staff who need support, and the alumni and friends who want to invest in UW–Madison. We provide important engagement opportunities to link UW–Madison alumni to each other and to their alma mater, building a strong community of Badgers.
Diversity and Inclusion:
Just as the university community benefits from differing viewpoints, perspectives, and experiences, inclusion and diversity are imperative for the success of our mission. WFAA values people and the differences that they bring to the organization, and creates an environment in which all staff members and constituents feel respected and have opportunities to thrive.
Primary Responsibilities
- Provide advice and counsel to WFAA staff on a variety of legal and business issues, primarily in the following areas: affiliates and agency relationships, alumni relations, contracts, corporate governance, contests, contracts, events, gifts and gift agreements, raffles, silent auctions, sponsorships, sweepstakes, and volunteer relations.
- Lead simple and assist in complex legal projects that span legal, business, and functional boundaries (e.g., cross jurisdictions, subject matter areas, and constituencies).
- Identify, research, and analyze legal issues that affect WFAA and its activities ongoing operations and strategic initiatives.
- Develop and implement legally sound, business-focused plans, systems, and procedures to support WFAA operations and strategic goals.
- Develop and provide trainings on legal issues, processes, and policies to varied audiences across the organization and its constituencies, as appropriate.
- Draft, negotiate, review, and approve various legal documents and agreements related to (for example) confidentiality/non-disclosure, events, IT vendors, sponsorships, volunteers, and waivers and releases.
- Support a service-oriented atmosphere in accordance with WFAA’s mission, organizational values, and strategic beliefs.
- Special projects and other duties, as assigned
Requirements and Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
- Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree from an A.B.A. accredited law school.
- Membership in good standing in the State Bar of Wisconsin or admission to the State Bar of Wisconsin within one year of hire date.
- Ability to develop expertise in higher education, medical fundraising, charitable giving, charitable organizations, and other legal issues relevant to the mission of WFAA.
- Strong analytical skills and ability to develop independent judgment and professional discretion in identification, analysis, management, and resolution of legal and related business problems.
- Strong project management skills with attention to detail and accuracy.
- Demonstrated ability to work in a collegial and professional manner with WFAA colleagues, constituents, and various outside organizations.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, including to translate complex legal concepts and analysis for non-lawyers to create practical processes, guidance, and training.
- Strong client service skills, commitment to creativity and solution-oriented thinking, and ability to build experience exercising influence and managing change while having an open and inclusive tone.
- Prior success building relationships and communicating with groups of people with diverse personal and professional experiences.
- Comfort with ambiguity and the ability to work through challenging situations.
- Self-sufficient with demonstrated skill with Microsoft Office Suite, and willingness to become self-sufficient in additional tools.
Other Qualifications:
- 1 + year of professional experience practicing law.
- Prior experience in higher education, medical fundraising, charitable giving, charitable organizations, and other legal issues relevant to the mission of WFAA.
- Knowledge of state and federal laws impacting public higher education and medical fundraising, including UPMIFA, FERPA, public records laws, and HIPAA.
WFAA is committed to providing our employees with an environment that is inspiring, creative and respectful. We offer competitive pay and an excellent benefits program, which includes a 10% 401k contribution after 1 year of service!
The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer *The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (advanceuw.org) is the “doing business as” name of the merged organization comprising the University of Wisconsin Foundation (supportuw.org) and the Wisconsin Alumni Association (uwalumni.com). Its legal corporate name is registered as the University of Wisconsin Foundation.