Full Time 40 hours Grade 054 Office of Counsel - URMC & SH

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under general direction from Senior Counsel, and with significant latitude for independent judgment, manages the routine contract portfolio for large academic medical center and health system; undertakes a broad range of complex projects in support of Medical Center’s hospital and physician acquisition efforts; conducts due diligence and assists with complex business transactions. Additionally assists with special projects, performs regulatory and investigative research, and is independently responsible for filing class action claims and obtaining related settlements. This work requires knowledge of legal concepts, federal, state and local laws and the ability to research legal matters.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Contracts

• Serves as primary Office of Counsel to the Medical Center liaison for routine contracts, including contracts relating to Monroe County, Rochester City School District and other governmental and quasi-governmental agencies.
• Drafts, reviews and manages routine contracts including professional service agreements, non-disclosure agreements, contract amendments and renewals and memoranda of understanding (MOU).
• Identifies and resolves legal issues relating to contract terms including indemnification, insurance and compliance with state laws.
• Negotiates terms with parties. Liaises with staff and outside vendors.
• Verifies accuracy and resolves discrepancies with institutional rules, guidelines and protocols. Ensures accuracy of business terms and compliance with University standard terms.
• Ensures accuracy of financial and business terms in contracts.
• Maintains relationships with internal and external stakeholders (administrators, faculty, vendors, etc.) to achieve resolution of issues and ensure timely completion of agreements/contracts.
• Finalizes contracts with internal and external customers. When needed, works with the department when contracts are not fulfilled and honored and collects on the funds due and owing.
• Identifies situations that are more complex or that require interpretation or reconciliation of conflicting laws, and brings these situations with relevant facts to senior counsel for guidance.

Corporate Acquisitions and Due Diligence

• Assists with business transaction closings and pre and post-closing matters.
• Performs due diligence reviews, organizes and reviews due diligence materials in anticipation of University acquisition of or merger with existing corporate entities searches.
• Conducts legal research to identify issues that may affect the potential acquisition. Must be familiar with and able to navigate public and propriety databases that contain critical information and must be able to analyze and synthesize data obtained from those and other sources.
• Searches public records at the Federal, State and local level pertaining to the specific identified acquisition.
• Analyzes the materials obtained and summarizes the results of the search in an organized manner to be presented to Senior Counsel.
• Anticipates requirements to ensure smooth transactions.

Class Action Settlements

• Oversees the day-to-day activities related to class action settlements
• Performs necessary legal and administrative tasks related to class action settlements including, but not limited to: reviewing media and other public sources to identify relevant class action lawsuits; reading and understanding class action notices; acquiring and assembling the data; and filing claims on behalf of Strong Memorial Hospital and other parties.
• Partners with departments who are affected by these notices to gather information. Reviews and organizes information gathered, completes the required claim form and submits claim. Partners with claims administrators as needed to manage resistance and maximize recoveries.
• Obtains and provides necessary documentation to support claim. Addresses questions and provides clarification to class action counsel when requested.

Special Projects

• Scopes out project, gathers information, sets up meetings, interviews stakeholders, analyzes information, and submits documents as needed.
• Creates databases or information repositories as needed for projects
• As needed, prepares exhibits and materials in support of financial claims. Serves as point of contact for governmental agency staff relating to financial and/or regulatory claims.
• Gathers substantive evidence to support legal challenges or to demonstrate URMC eligibility to participate in contracts, grants or other funding initiatives.
• Serves as primary liaison for Medical Center trademark matters, including securing relevant document to apply for or maintain critical URMC trademarks. Ensures timely submission of initial and renewal trademark applications.
• Analyzes requirements relating to physician licensure in remote state and eligibility to engage in telehealth services with patients from remote state. Researches remote state licensure requirements, evaluates prospective vendors, negotiates vendor contract, and trains URMC digital health personnel on use of vendor system.
• Consults with Sr. Counsel as needed and/or required

Education and Research

• Creates and delivers education, on behalf of senior counsel, to ensure leaders and staff are informed and appropriately compliant. Counsels and advises staff/faculty as appropriate to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations
• Keeps abreast of trends in healthcare laws and regulations by studying current literature, etc. Must be able to work independently to identify factual circumstances where these laws are applicable, and situations where referral to an attorney for interpretation is appropriate. Must be able to formulate strategies for activities in a manner that is effective and compliant with these statutes and regulations.

Other duties as assigned

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree with major course work in social or technical field required;
• Master's degree in Library Science, Information Science or related field preferred
• Degree in Paralegal Studies or similar preferred.
• 4-5 years’ experience in the analysis and dissemination of information plus supervisory experience required;
• or an equivalent combination of education and experience required.
• Detailed knowledge of legal terminology, contract terms and concepts, sufficient to draft review and advise on contract matters preferred;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel required;
• Strong organization and communication skills required;
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to organize and prioritize workload and deadlines required;
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team required;
• Project management experience preferred.

The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion to advance the University’s mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion/creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other status protected by law. This commitment extends to the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates from underrepresented populations, veterans, and persons with disabilities consistent with these values and government contractor Affirmative Action obligations.