Deputy General Counsel For Business Affairs

Description:

Subject Area Responsibility
The Deputy General Counsel (GC) for Business Affairs is primarily responsible for legal issues involving complex transactions, intellectual property, revenue generation, advancement, nonprofit tax, and sponsored projects. This includes assuming primary responsibility and oversight for Office of General Counsel advice on a broad array of questions pertaining to: complex business transactions; copyright, fair use, and reproduction issues arising from access to, and use of, Smithsonian (SI) and other owners' collections and other content; registration and protection of a broad portfolio of Smithsonian trademarks; gifts, bequests, and other contracts and agreements, including development of template licenses and agreements; compliance with nonprofit tax laws and regulations; and development of policies pertaining to digitization, open access, new technologies, standardized rights management systems and related issues. Incumbent is also responsible for certain other areas and special projects as agreed upon with the Chief Legal Officer. These areas may change over time and will be reviewed at least annually.

Direction, Coordination and Review of Legal Matters
The Deputy GC for Business Affairs assists and supports the Chief Legal Officer, as requested:

1. Leads, directs and coordinates the handling of legal matters, in areas of responsibility, including overseeing work assignments and attorney workloads, applying legal and personal judgement to ensure that each matter is handled with excellence;

2. Ensures that legal advice receives appropriate review and/or approval prior to dissemination;

3. Prepares reports on important legal matters for the Regents, the Secretary and/or senior management;

4. Reviews and conducts final clearance of Smithsonian Policy Directives in areas of responsibility;

5. In collaboration with other senior attorneys, participates in and makes significant contributions to executive decisions affecting all aspects of the Smithsonian’s policies, programs, and priorities;

6. Disseminates legal updates and general guidance to Smithsonian employees through various means;

7. Reviews completed and non-routine work, as appropriate, for consistency with previous advice from the Office of General Counsel, legal sufficiency, established policy and overall effectiveness;

8. Reviews reports prepared by attorneys and compiles a report for the Chief Legal Officer with information to be provided to the Regents, the Secretary, and other senior management, as appropriate;

9. Advises on the application of judicial decisions and executive branch directives and regulations to Smithsonian operations within areas of responsibility;

10. Provides needed assistance and guidance in the negotiation, execution and administration of contracts;

11. Establishes and maintains contacts with officials, within and outside the government, with respect to important legal questions and issues affecting SI in areas of responsibility.

Management and Professional Development of Legal Staff
The Deputy GC for Business Affairs is primarily responsible for the following:

1. Distributes and oversees work assignments to attorneys, including matters sent to LegalHelp, and meets with attorneys, as needed, to discuss progress and workload;

2. Ensures appropriate distribution of workload among attorneys and manages any necessary re-allocation as circumstances dictate;

3. Mentors attorneys to ensure their continued growth;

4. Ensures appropriate recognition of attorneys and staff for exceptional performance;

5. As requested, coordinates enrichment programs, including extending invitations to Smithsonian staff and external speakers to present at weekly staff meetings or other special meetings;

6. Assists the Chief Legal Officer, as needed, in establishing and administering guidelines for advancement and professional development opportunities for attorneys and staff;

7. Participates in the planning of office retreats, as requested, and promotes morale, in coordination with other senior lawyers.

Office Administration and Operations
The Deputy GC for Business Affairs assists the Chief Legal Officer with matters including recruiting and hiring attorneys and support staff, other HR matters, and office policies and procedures, including teleworking and leave policies. Also assists, as requested, with oversight of outside counsel.

Supervisory Responsibilities
The Deputy GC for Business Affairs directly supervises associate and assistant general counsels and indirectly supervises paralegals and administrative staff who support areas of responsibility, as determined by the Chief Legal Officer. Reviews and revises attorneys’ performance plans, conducts performance appraisals, and decides on and/or recommends personnel actions such as promotions, awards and disciplinary actions. Fully supports SI equal opportunity and diversity goals and objectives. Attends required supervisor training.

Requirements
Conditions of Employment
Pass Pre-Employment Background Investigation
May need to complete a Probationary Period
Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer
Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service
See below for requirements.