Principal Campus Counsel (0201U) Chancellor's Office #88151

At the University of California, Berkeley , we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty, and staff, who are among the most talented and accomplished anywhere, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and Mac.

Arthur Fellows. Since our founding in 1868, we have been an engine for innovation - driving intellectual, economic, and social progress that benefits California, the U.S., and beyond. Together, we change the world. At Berkeley, the best careers are built on a foundation of continuous learning and growth . We actively support professional development by providing all full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours of paid time per year and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups.

We invite applicants who are inspired by our Principles of Community and who are eager to be part of our exciting Strategic Plan , which charts Berkeley's next era of excellence. Learn more about some of our accomplishments at Points of Pride . Departmental Overview The UC Berkeley Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) offers timely legal advice to campus leadership, faculty and staff, seeks to anticipate and offer creative solutions to legal problems, works to resolve legal disputes, and advocates on behalf of the campus.

OLA also serves as liaison between the campus and the UC Office of General Counsel in Oakland. OLA strives to be a valued and trusted partner, recognized for creativity, expertise, service orientation, and commitment to UC Berkeley's mission and values.

Position Summary

The Principal Campus Counsel serves as a senior attorney within the Office of Legal Affairs and is assigned as the primary legal advisor to Intercollegiate Athletics. As a trusted legal partner to the Athletic Director and Athletics executive leadership, the Principal Campus Counsel provides broad legal counsel across a wide range of issues affecting a modern Division I athletics program while remaining an integral member of the Office of Legal Affairs' general practice team.

The incumbent advises Athletics leadership on complex legal matters involving labor and employment, commercial transactions, governance, regulatory compliance, contracts, student-athlete matters, Name, Image and Likeness (NIL), NCAA and conference requirements, revenue-generating initiatives, licensing, media rights, and other operational and strategic issues.

The Principal Campus Counsel collaborates closely with Ethics, Risk & Compliance and other campus partners to identify legal risks, develop practical solutions, and promote compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and University policy. While this position is assigned to support Intercollegiate Athletics as its primary client, the Principal Campus Counsel maintains a broad institutional legal practice and participates in cross-training with other attorneys in the Office of Legal Affairs.

The incumbent is expected to provide legal support across other University practice areas as operational needs require, ensuring continuity of legal services and contributing to the overall effectiveness of the Office. The Principal Campus Counsel exercises a high degree of professional judgment and independence in advising University leadership, negotiating agreements, managing disputes, supporting litigation, and resolving complex legal issues.

Through this role, the incumbent advances the University's strategic objectives by delivering practical, solution-oriented legal advice while helping to protect the institution's legal, financial, and reputational interests. Application Review Date The First Review Date for this job is: September 1, 2026.

Responsibilities

Strategic Legal Counsel - 25% Serves as the primary legal advisor to the Athletic Director and Athletics executive leadership. Provides strategic legal advice regarding athletics operations, institutional priorities, governance, and organizational initiatives. Advises senior leadership regarding legal implications of significant business decisions and emerging risks.

Develops practical legal strategies that balance institutional objectives with legal and regulatory requirements. Identifies emerging legal trends affecting collegiate athletics and proactively advises leadership regarding institutional impacts. Labor & Employment Law - 35% Provides legal advice regarding employment matters, principally those matters affecting Athletics, with emphasis on California labor and employment law.

Drafts, negotiates, and reviews executive employment agreements, coaching contracts, separation agreements, incentive compensation plans, retention agreements, and other employment-related documents. Advises management regarding employee relations, workplace in