Vice President and General Counsel

Cornell University invites applications and nominations for the Vice President and General Counsel.

DO NOT APPLY THROUGH THE CORNELL SYSTEM FOR THIS position, INFORMATION MUST BE SUBMITTED ONLY TO SPENCER STUART AS INDICATED BELOW.

To Apply

Cornell University has engaged Spencer Stuart to assist with this search. Candidates

interested in applying or those wishing to nominate someone for the position should submit materials to [email protected].

For additional information about Cornell University, please visit https://www.cornell.edu/.

The Opportunity

The Vice President and General Counsel (GC) is Cornell’s chief legal officer and a member of the President’s Cabinet. Reporting directly to the President and to the Board Chair, the GC serves as a key legal, policy, and governance advisor to the President, Board of Trustees, and university leadership.

The GC leads the Office of General Counsel, including 20+ attorneys across four practice areas, and oversees all outside counsel. The role encompasses legal oversight for all Cornell campuses and operations, including Weill Cornell Medicine.

Key areas of responsibility include:

• Providing strategic legal advice across academic, research, clinical, administrative, and business functions.

• Overseeing litigation, regulatory matters, investigations, and enterprise compliance efforts.

• Advising on policy development, governance, and Board matters, including supervision of the Secretary of the Corporation.

• Supporting major transactions, research partnerships, technology transfer, global programs, capital projects, real estate, and construction.

• Ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations, including matters related to the landgrant colleges.

• Upholding academic freedom, free expression, and the university’s foundational principles.

• Leading and developing a highperforming, collaborative legal team across multiple locations.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will bring:

• A J.D. from an accredited law school; admission to the New York Bar or eligibility within one year.

• At least fifteen years of legal practice, preferably including experience in higher education, academic medicine, complex research institutions, government, or comparable nonprofit entities.

• Deep knowledge of highereducationrelated legal areas, including compliance, employment, academic and research issues, governance, real estate, intellectual property, and litigation management.

• Demonstrated ability to advise senior leaders, exercise sound judgment, and address complex, multidisciplinary issues.

About Cornell University

Cornell University is a leading research institution distinguished by its unusual dual identity: a privately endowed Ivy League university and the landgrant institution for New York State. With this distinctive configuration, the university has a special responsibility to make contributions in all fields of knowledge in a manner that prioritizes public engagement and helps to improve the quality of life in New York, the nation, and the world. Cornell’s mission is to discover, preserve, and disseminate knowledge, to educate the next generation of global citizens, and to promote a culture of broad inquiry throughout and beyond the Cornell community. Today, Cornell University consists of 15 schools and colleges. The university is governed by a 64-member board of trustees, which includes representatives from the faculty, students, staff, alumni, and New York State. Cornell is fortunate to have a balanced budget of approximately $6.4 billion, a healthy endowment, and an enviable history of attracting research funds. The General Counsel role is based in Ithaca, a vibrant community in the Finger Lakes region known for its natural beauty, cultural richness, and high quality of life.

To Apply

Cornell University has engaged Spencer Stuart to assist with this search. Candidates

interested in applying or those wishing to nominate someone for the position should submit materials to [email protected].

For additional information about Cornell University, please visit https://www.cornell.edu/.

University Job Title:

Vice President and General Counsel

Job Family:

Administration

Level:

No Grade – Annual

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Pay Range:

Refer to Posting Language

Remote Option Availability:

Onsite

Company:

Endowed

Contact Name:

Cyndi Morris

Contact Email:

[email protected]

Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience

• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position

• Unique applicable skills

• Academic Discipline

To learn more about Cornell’s non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

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Employment Assistance:

For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email [email protected].

If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell Office of Civil Rights at voice (607) 255-2242, or email at [email protected].

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also request an appointment to use a dedicated workstation in the Office of Talent Attraction and Recruitment, at the Ithaca campus, by emailing [email protected].

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EEO Statement:

Cornellwelcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “… any person … any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeksjob candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. Wehire based on merit, andencourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

2026-02-07
EEO Statement: Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University’s heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students, and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose, and contribute creative ideas to further the university’s mission of teaching, discovery, and engagement.