Position Summary

Nobel Prizes. MacArthur “Genius Grants.” Poets Laureate. Groundbreaking cancer research. A world-class opera hall. An unmatched culture of care. The habits and practice of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The celebration of our multicultural and multinational community in the heart of the nation’s most diverse city.

In the Office of General Counsel, we serve a preeminent research university whose excellence is established and whose ambitions, under President Reginald DesRoches, are courageous, transformational, and global. For its students, for Houston, and for the world, Rice University is rising.

To help us rise, we seek an attorney with significant experience in, and a principal focus on, real estate law. But no single day is typical for a top-tier research university, so our commitment is to provide or, when necessary, develop the substantive expertise our clients need. Therefore, the ideal candidate will also have the experience and versatility to solve problems in other areas of practice, including contracts, general business law, nonprofit law, and corporate law. As a team, we value excellent attention to detail, versatility, discretion, and curiosity. Our collective aim is to represent Rice with the highest standards of civility, courtesy, and creativity.

Working Conditions:

• We offer a flexible work schedule, including opportunities to work in person and remotely.
• This position requires extended working hours, including nights and weekends, as our clients’ needs require. Out-of-town travel is occasional, infrequent (rarely over 5%).

Proposed Hiring Range:

The hiring range for this position begins at $203,814; pay will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Minimum Requirements

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school.
• At least 7 years’ experience as a practicing attorney, with a strong focus in real estate law, including experience in leasing and experience or familiarity with acquisition, development, financing, operation, renovation, and disposition of real property.
• Active license to practice law in Texas, or the ability to become licensed in Texas within one year of hire.
• Must be able to manage time effectively within a high-volume workload;
• Must be able to adapt to varying client priorities and deadlines;
• Must be able to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with diverse parties;
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with various stakeholders;
• Must be willing to learn new areas of the law; and
• Must be proficient at the use of typical business technology and software, including video conferencing applications.

Essential Functions

• Reporting to the Vice President and General Counsel, serves as the primary source of legal advice and representation for Rice’s real estate office.
• Provides legal advice, drafting, representation, training, and counsel to university officials on a wide variety of matters, including:
  • Acquisition, development, financing, leasing, operation, renovation, and disposition of real property;
  • Corporate organizations and transaction structures, including tax matters;
  • Commercial design, engineering, and construction contracts;
  • Purchases of goods and services; and
  • Other business transactions.
• Manages the efforts of outside counsel, as needed.
• Serves on university task forces and committees, and works effectively with representatives from diverse university offices, the Houston community, and other important communities with which Rice engages.
• Works independently on routine legal matters, and discerns issues of institutional importance that require additional communication with legal team members, the Vice President and General Counsel, and other university officials.
• Devises and provides practical solutions for problems, balancing legal considerations with Rice’s strategic priorities.
• Promotes a Culture of Safety by demonstrating commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience providing training to sophisticated audiences on complex legal matters.
• At least 10 years’ experience as a practicing attorney, with a strong focus in real estate law.
• Rice is the only university legal office in the United States actively seeking Mansfield Rule 3.0 This certification recognizes in-house legal departments and law firms that work actively to close gender and diversity gaps in the legal profession. Consistent with these principles and the law, we welcome and encourage interest from all genders, from lawyers of color, LGBTQ+ lawyers, and lawyers with disabilities.