Attorney for Students - Student Life

The department of Student Life at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for an Attorney for Students.

About the Opportunity:

The Office of Student Legal Services is housed in the WVU Division of Student Life. This Attorney for Students position reports directly to the Dean of Students. This position advises and counsels students concerning their legal problems and informs them of their legal rights and responsibilities through confidential meetings, publications and seminars; represents students in court regarding civil matters as required and provides student mediation services and mediation training.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
• Wellness programs

What You'll Do:

• Provides legal representation to eligible WVU students regarding their rights, responsibilities, and legal obligations. Advises and represents students in civil disputes including, but not limited to: landlord/tenant, insurance claims, family law, debt collection, employment disputes, expungement of criminal records, and other general civil law matters. Drafts legal documents for students free of charge, which may include, but are not limited to, wills, power of attorneys, living wills, promissory notes, contracts, waiver of liability, etc. With respect to Landlord/Tennant matters, may represent students in matters such as the following: Wrongful Occupation, Eviction, Non-return of Security Deposit, Condemnation, Over Occupancy and other Habitability issues, Lease Violations and Lease Release, etc.
• Gives advice only in all criminal matters.
• Provides legal guidance and educational support to registered student organizations regarding civil legal matters affecting organizational operations and activities, including liability exposure, risk management, insurance considerations, organizational structure and governance, contracts, and event-related legal concerns.
• Assists with the Student Mediation Program. The goal of the Student Mediation Program shall be to provide West Virginia University students with the highest quality of mediation services at no cost.
• Supervises law student interns as they work and acct on behalf of student clients.
• Assists student clients in document preparation for pro se representation and advise students on general procedures in Magistrate Court in pro se representation. Attempts settlement in civil litigation disputes on behalf of student clients prior to litigation.
• Assists supervisor in preparing and presenting educational programming and publications on legal matters of interest and concern to WVU students.
• Advises and assists Student Life staff, when requested, on matters pertaining to the University Committee on Student Rights and Responsibilities in legal matters involving students and in interpreting the Student Code of Rights and Responsibilities.
• Serves on various University-related committees, as required and performs other miscellaneous job duties and responsibilities as needed.
• Please note the following:
  • The Attorney for Students shall at all times comply with the Code of Professional Responsibility as adopted by the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia and as amended by said court from time to time. The Attorney for Students shall exercise independent professional judgment on behalf of student clients without interference or control by the Board of Governors, West Virginia University, Student Administration or any other organization or group.
• The Attorney for Students is prohibited from:
  • Representing a student where the student is charged with the commission of, or attempt to commit, a crime;
  • Instituting legal actions against West Virginia University Board of Governors, its administrative officers, or the administrative officers of West Virginia University;
  • Representing a student in any University academic/disciplinary proceeding or hearing, including any appeal from such proceeding or hearing before the West Virginia University Board of Governors and/or in the state and federal courts;
  • Representing a student in any matter against another student registered at West Virginia University

• J.D. from an accredited ABA law school. Must be licensed and able to practice law in the State of West Virginia.
• A minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible legal experience, to include experience in the area of Civil Law
• Experience with Magistrate Court, Circuit Court, and Family Court procedures, is preferred
• Experience in mediation and mediation training is preferred
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Demonstrated knowledge of mediation and mediation training is preferred
• Working knowledge of the laws of West Virginia
• Strong organizational skills
• Strong planning an project management skills
• Ability to organize and apply legal principles
• Ability to work with and on the behalf of students within the established guidelines and policies of the Student Legal Services Office, the Office of Student Life and West Virginia University
• Ability to work on complex and confidential issues utilizing judgment, tact, and resourcefulness
• Ability to adhere to attorney-client privilege
• Ability to communicate well with people and be able to comprehend abstract fact situations
• Ability to set priorities and establish necessary deadlines
• Ability to deal with complicated human and legal issues face to face and also by correspondence
• Attorney must be able to prepare detailed and technically sound legal documents
• Attorney must be able to negotiate settlements on behalf of student clients
• Ability to effectively supervisor law student interns
• Ability to attend pre-scheduled court hearings as needed, some of which may fall outside of normal working hours
• Ability to successfully acquire 24 hours of continuing legal education (CLE) every two years.

• Must have a valid license to practice law in the State of West Virginia. It is unlawful to practice law without a license

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.