Associate Counselor Jobs in Grand Prairie, TX (NOW HIRING)

Salary Range: 

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU's more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University's small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem - paired with entrepreneurial drive - creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU's relationship with Dallas - the dynamic center of one of the nation's fastest-growing regions - offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Department:

The Southern Methodist University Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) seeks to advance the mission and core values of SMU by providing practical, ethical, effective, high-quality legal services in a timely and professional manner. OLA is a team of dedicated legal professionals charged with providing legal advice on a broad range of topics, including, but not limited to, student and academic affairs, employment matters, real estate, financing and other commercial transactions, regulatory compliance, government relations intellectual property, litigation, tax policy development and academic research. 

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

Reporting to the Vice President for Legal Affairs and General Counsel, the Associate University Counsel provides legal advice and counsel on a broad range of University matters, with primary responsibility for legal issues affecting SMU Athletics and intercollegiate athletics. The position advises University leadership and Athletics on complex contractual, regulatory, compliance, governance, employment, and risk-management matters, including issues involving revenue sharing, name, image, and likeness (NIL), Title IX and gender equity, NCAA and conference requirements, and the evolving legal landscape of collegiate athletics. The Associate University Counsel also drafts and negotiates sophisticated commercial and other agreements and provides practical legal guidance in a fast-moving and highly regulated environment. 

Essential Functions:

• Provide legal advice and strategic counsel regarding intercollegiate athletics - Serve as a primary legal advisor to SMU Athletics and University leadership on legal and regulatory matters affecting intercollegiate athletics. 

• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts and other legal documents - Draft, review, negotiate, and advise on sophisticated contracts and other legal documents involving Athletics and other University operations. Identify legal and business risks, develop practical solutions, and structure transactions consistent with institutional objectives, applicable law, and University policies.

• Provide legal advice regarding compliance, risk management, disputes, investigations, claims, and potential or pending litigation involving Athletics and related University activities. Assist in developing, reviewing, and updating University and Athletics policies, procedures, practices, and training materials in response to changes in law, regulation, industry standards, and governance 

• Provide legal services on other University matters as assigned -Provide legal advice and representation on other matters assigned by the Vice President for Legal Affairs and General Counsel in support of the University's academic, operational, and institutional mission. Collaborate with other attorneys and professionals in the Office of Legal Affairs and with colleagues throughout the University.

Education and Experience:

 A Juris Doctor is required.

A minimum of three years of experience in law is required. Experience practicing in sports law, collegiate athletics, or a legal practice substantially involving the sports industry is preferred. 

Experience advising a university, athletic department, athletic conference, professional sports organization, sports governing body, or similar organization on matters involving collegiate athletics, is preferred.

Candidates must have experience providing practical legal advice in a fast-moving environment involving multiple stakeholders, competing priorities, and matters requiring sound judgment, responsiveness, and effective risk assessment.

Current Texas Bar membership is required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills.

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills.  

Candidate must have experience managing complex matters with a high degree of independence.

Experience in the management and execution of department-wide revenue-share cap and retention fund allocations, and player performance data analytics to provide support is preferred.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Sit for long periods of time

Deadline to Apply:

Priority consideration may be granted to applications received by August 28, 2026. 

Position will remain open until filled. 

EEO Statement

SMU is an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.