Fractional Legal Counsel

Give. Do. Love. Serve. From One’s Own Abundance. 

Position Details:

• Compensation: $125,000–$135,000 annually, commensurate with experience and scope of engagement
• Engagement Type: Fractional/Contract Legal Counsel
• Time Commitment: 2–3 dedicated days per week supporting Life West legal and institutional matters
• Location: Hybrid, with an expectation of regular onsite availability in Hayward, California
• Benefits: This is a fractional/contract engagement and is not eligible for Life Chiropractic College West employee benefits.

Position Overview:

Life Chiropractic College West is seeking an experienced Fractional Legal Counsel to provide dedicated, strategic, and practical legal guidance to the College's President, Board of Regents, and senior leadership. This role will serve as a trusted legal partner to the institution, supporting a broad range of matters including employment and labor, higher education compliance, nonprofit governance, contracts, risk management, and institutional policy.

The Fractional Legal Counsel will work closely with College leadership and key campus stakeholders to identify and address legal and regulatory risks, provide practical guidance on complex issues, and coordinate with outside legal counsel as appropriate. The role will also translate complex legal requirements into clear, actionable recommendations that support sound decision-making and the College's mission.

This engagement is designed for an experienced legal professional who can provide high-level counsel and meaningful institutional support on a dedicated, fractional basis while maintaining the flexibility of an external professional relationship.

Essential Job Responsibilities: 

• Serve as a trusted legal advisor to the President, Board of Regents, and senior leadership, providing strategic and practical guidance on matters involving employment law, higher education compliance, nonprofit governance, contracts, and institutional risk.
• Provide well-reasoned legal analysis, opinions, recommendations, and guidance that support the College's mission, academic integrity, operational effectiveness, and legal compliance.
• Coordinate with and provide oversight of outside legal counsel, as appropriate, ensuring effective representation, alignment with institutional priorities, and cost-effective use of external legal services.
• Proactively identify, assess, and recommend strategies to mitigate legal and regulatory risks related to employment practices, faculty and staff relations, student matters, compliance obligations, contracts, and institutional liability.
• Provide legal guidance on nonprofit and charitable matters, including charitable gifts, trusts, grants, partnerships, and donor-restricted funds, as applicable.
• Draft, review, and update institutional policies, procedures, bylaws, governance documents, and other legal materials to support compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, accreditation standards, and higher education best practices.
• Review, draft, and negotiate a broad range of contracts and agreements, including those related to employment, faculty appointments, construction and facilities, leasing, insurance, procurement, research, licensing, and vendor relationships.
• Advise College leadership and Human Resources on employment and labor matters, including employee relations, performance management, disciplinary actions, workplace investigations, leaves of absence, and compliance with California employment laws and regulations.
• Provide legal guidance on academic and student-related matters, including intellectual property, academic policies, student conduct and discipline, and regulatory requirements affecting instructional programs.
• Design and deliver legal and compliance training, workshops, and educational materials for administrators, faculty, and staff, as appropriate, to promote legal awareness, reduce institutional risk, and support consistent application of College policies.
• Serve as a resource to campus stakeholders by translating complex legal concepts and requirements into clear, practical, and actionable guidance.
• Partner with College leadership on emerging legal issues, institutional initiatives, and strategic priorities that may present legal or regulatory considerations.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality and professional standards in handling sensitive institutional, personnel, student, and legal matters.
• Perform other legal and advisory duties as mutually agreed upon and as needed to support the College's institutional priorities and evolving legal needs.

Qualifications: 

• Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent law degree from an accredited institution.
• Active membership in good standing with the California State Bar.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible legal experience, with experience directly related to the responsibilities of this engagement.
• Demonstrated experience advising higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations, or similarly complex organizations.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and regulations applicable to higher education and nonprofit organizations, particularly in the areas of employment, governance, contracts, compliance, and risk management.
• Demonstrated ability to provide sound legal advice and strategic counsel to senior leaders and governing bodies.
• Strong legal research, writing, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to prepare clear, well-supported legal opinions and recommendations.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain complex legal concepts clearly to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated experience developing practical legal strategies and solutions aligned with organizational goals and risk tolerance.
• Knowledge of contract law, legal documentation, governance procedures, and applicable judicial and regulatory processes.
• Ability to independently manage and prioritize multiple legal matters, projects, and competing deadlines.
• Experience coordinating and overseeing outside counsel and other legal resources.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to establish effective, collaborative working relationships with executive leadership, faculty, staff, and external partners.
• Familiarity with higher education operations, academic policies, intellectual property, and faculty and staff employment matters.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering a collaborative, inclusive, ethical, and legally compliant institutional environment.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining consistent communication and availability with College leadership and designated stakeholders.

Compensation and Engagement:

This is a fractional legal counsel engagement providing dedicated legal support to Life Chiropractic College West approximately 2–3 days per week. Compensation will remain within the annualized range of $125,000–$135,000, based on qualifications, experience, and the agreed-upon scope of services.

As an external fractional/contract engagement, the individual will not be eligible for Life Chiropractic College West employee benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement plan participation, paid time off, paid holidays, disability benefits, flexible spending accounts, or other benefits provided to College employees.

The specific schedule, onsite expectations, scope of services, and engagement terms will be established through a mutually agreed-upon professional services or independent contractor agreement.

About Us:

• At its core, Life West empowers transformation by offering its students a path to help create a brighter future for humanity with the Doctor of Chiropractor (DC) degree.
• In March 1981, through the efforts of Dr. George Anderson, Dr. George Wentland, and Dr. Sid E. Williams, president and founder of Life Chiropractic College, an agreement was reached between Life Chiropractic College and Pacific States Chiropractic College. As a result, the college was renamed Life Chiropractic College West.
• Life West is proud of its history and legacy of producing happy and successful alumni who practice around the world.
• Build a campus culture that embraces diversity and inclusion
• Develop a culture of service within and outside of the college
• Improve institutional effectiveness through constant innovation and assessment
• To learn more about Life Chiropractic College West and our mission, please visit our website: https://lifewest.edu/about

Life Chiropractic College West values diversity in our college and workplace. Our company provides equal opportunity for employment to qualified applicants on the basis of experience and the ability to do the available work, without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex/gender, sexual orientation, national origin, gender identity, disability, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, ancestry or any other status protected by law. LCCW  is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.