GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Performs highly advanced legal work. Work involves monitoring legal activities, interpreting laws and regulations, drafting administrative rules, preparing legal documents, advising CPRIT’s Oversight Committee, drafting and negotiating special contracts and rendering legal advice and counsel regarding issues affecting the agency, including intellectual property and revenue sharing agreements with entities engaged in cancer research & development activities at universities and biotechnology companies.  Plans, assigns, and supervises others. Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. This position reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (JD) degree.

Eight (8) years full-time legal work experience, three (3) of which must be legal experience with a State of Texas agency.  NOTE:  At the agency’s discretion, CPRIT will accept legal experience in intellectual property, technology transfer, and/or life science/biotechnology or experience at a similar state or federal program/entity as a substitute for the State of Texas agency experience requirement on a year-for-year basis.

Active license in good standing to practice law in the State of Texas or able to immediately activate license through Texas State Bar upon request.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Expertise in administrative, contract, and/or corporate law. A background in intellectual property law, technology transfer, and/or working with the life science/biotechnology industry is valued.
• Aptitude for identifying problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Ability to prepare and negotiate complex legal documents, to conduct research, to interpret and apply laws, to summarize and succinctly communicate findings and legal advice, and to plan, assign, and supervise the work of others.
• Adept at advising clients working in a highly regulated environment.
• Familiarity with state government procedures, requirements, and regulatory issues affecting Texas state agencies, including the Texas Open Meetings Act, the Texas Public Information Act, and the Texas Administrative Procedure Act.
• Skilled at performing under pressure in a public environment with exacting standards of disclosure and transparency.
• Effective communication skills; with a demonstrated aptitude for written communication and addressing a wide range of audiences.
• Experience working with a board of directors or similar decision-making body, preferably a state agency commission or oversight committee.
• Fluency with investment-management constructs, intellectual property concepts, technology transfer and/or issues affecting the life science/biotechnology industry.
• Proficient at handling multiple tasks, prioritizing and meeting deadlines.
• Comfortable with working under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

 EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED:

•  Directs, coordinates, plans, and monitors all legal activities.
• Advises on the interpretation, application, and enforcement of agency laws and regulations.
• Reviews and tracks laws, rules, and regulations affecting agency operations and administration.
• Drafts and negotiates complex contractual issues, including those involving intellectual property and revenue sharing provisions, as well as non-disclosure, board observer and side letter agreements.
• Provides guidance and manages legal issues regarding intellectual property and revenue sharing agreements.
• Manages outside counsel contracts.
• Researches, reviews, tracks and drafts bills and amendments for legislative consideration.
• Confers with legislative members and legislative staff and testifies at legislative hearings when appropriate.
• Advises the agency oversight committee and staff on legal issues affecting the agency and its operations.
• Drafts, implements, monitors, and evaluates agency administrative rules.
• Coordinates with the Office of the Attorney General and assists in agency representation for civil and criminal actions brought by or against the agency.
• Resolves human resources, administrative, and organizational issues.
• Responds to audit requests and comments, as appropriate.
• Ensures completion of all public information act requests, including briefings to the Office of the Attorney General.
• Plans, assigns, and supervises the work of others.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Application Instructions

If you meet the qualifications, complete, and submit a State of Texas application online via the WorkInTexas.com portal. You may also mail the State of Texas application to Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, Human Resources, P.O. Box 12097, Austin, Texas 78711. Overnight and/or hand delivery of the State of Texas application may be made to Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, Human Resources, 1701 N. Congress Avenue, Ste. 6-127, Austin, Texas, 78701.  DO NOT use CPRIT’s physical address to mail the application via the U.S. Postal Service; CPRIT may not receive the application. You may obtain a State of Texas application from https://cprit.texas.gov/about-us/employment-opportunities/.

CPRIT will accept a résumé only if accompanied by a fully completed state of Texas application. CPRIT may disqualify incomplete applications at the agency’s discretion. CPRIT will not accept faxed or emailed applications. CPRIT is a non-smoking office; the agency is in the Capitol Complex of Austin, Texas. CPRIT currently offers teleworking as an option to employees. CPRIT is an equal opportunity employer.  You may find additional information regarding the Institute’s history and operations on the agency’s website at https://cprit.texas.gov/.