| Department: |
Office of Research |
Effective Date: |
September 1, 2013 |
| Grade: |
USG 15
35 hrs/wk
|
Reports to: |
Associate Vice President, Research Operations |
General Accountability
Reporting to the Associate Vice-President, Research Operations, Legal Counsel provides the University’s administrators with legal and strategic advice on government contracts, intellectual property, gifts, research agreements and commercial agreements arising out of the University’s Office of Research (the “Agreements”). In addition, Legal Counsel drafts, researches, analyzes, negotiates, and provides opinions and advice on complex transactions, provincial and federal laws, University regulations or policies, and other matters as assigned.
Nature and Scope
- Reports to the Associate Vice-President, Research Operations
- Extensive interaction with Office of Research personnel (all levels)
- From time-to-time (as a transaction may require), interaction with University faculty and/or department administrators
- Supports, advises, guides and provides feedback to Office of Research personnel with regard to agreements
- External interactions: Liaises and negotiates with sponsor representatives, collaborating institutions and industry partners
Statistical Data
- Total research funding for the University in 2011/12 was ~$194 Million. A significant proportion of this engendered funding agreements that required legal counsel.
Specific Accountabilities
- Advise University business teams on a broad range of legal, policy, business and strategic issues, including corporate start-ups (profit and not-for-profit), licensing, procurement, privacy, security and other applicable regulatory frameworks
- Ability to think critically and proactively about business needs and risks, and tailor legal advice accordingly and prepare quality recommendations to meet the needs of the business team
- With strong attention to detail, draft, review and negotiate the Agreements to manage risk and comply with the University policies while maximizing the benefit to the business team
- Keep abreast of pending legislation or regulatory rules impacting upon the Agreements and communicate as necessary
- Coordinate and collaborate with other University lawyers, external counsel and non-legal University personnel, as necessary, to drive analysis and creative resolution of relevant legal and policy issues
Working Conditions
- Much of the time is spent sitting in a comfortable position with frequent opportunity to move about. There is a frequent need to give close attention to various stimuli such as written material and information given verbally. The work is varied. There are deadline pressures, while at the same time there is a demand for thoroughness and accuracy
Qualifications Required
- LL.B. and member in good standing of the Ontario Bar
- At least 9 years of in-house counsel experience (in-house within Ontario university preferable)
- Strong knowledge of university intellectual property policies
- Excellent contract negotiation/drafting skills and experience dealing with intellectual property issues within a university setting
- Experience negotiating and drafting inter-institutional consortium agreements for the development and commercialization of intellectual property (local and international)
- Familiarity with international issues (privacy and export compliance)
- Experience with incorporation and structuring of for-profit and not-for-profit corporations which may be used for the development and/or commercialization of University intellectual property
- Experience in negotiating and drafting license, outsourcing, and non-disclosure agreements
- Sound and practicable business judgment and ability to think strategically to create legal solutions
- Ability to work efficiently, meet demanding deadlines in a fast-paced environment, prioritize workflow and adjust to frequent workload fluctuations
- Ability to collaborate well with diverse colleagues, clients and internal teams
