CHRISTOPHER M. PATTI LEGAL FELLOWSHIP

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Position Base: Oakland
Location: UCOP - Franklin Building

UC OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

At the University of California (UC), your contributions make a difference. A world leader producing Nobel and Pulitzer Prize recipients with over 150 years of groundbreaking research transforming the world. Choose a career where you can leverage your knowledge, skills and aspirations to inspire and support some of the greatest minds in the world, and those who will follow in their footsteps. Working at the University of California is being part of a unique institution, and a vibrant and diverse community. At the University of California, Office of the President, we propel our mission through impactful work locally, in government centers and systemwide. We are passionate people, serving the greater good.

The University of California, one of the largest and most acclaimed institutions of higher learning in the world, is dedicated to excellence in teaching, research and public service. The University of California Office of the President is the headquarters to the 10 campuses, six academic medical centers and three national laboratories and enrolls premier students from California, the nation and the world. Learn more about the UC Office of the President

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

UC Legal - Office of General Counsel is located in Oakland, California, and is staffed with system-wide legal experts who provide an extraordinary range of legal services to the University of California (UC) and its Office of the President, its 10 campuses and 6 medical centers, as well as its reserves and field stations. For more information, visit https://www.ucop.edu/uc-legal/.

POSITION SUMMARY

The UC Legal - Office of General Counsel (OGC), in partnership with Berkeley Law, offers a two-year full-time fellowship, commencing on or about September 2027, to a recent Berkeley Law graduate interested in exploring a career in public service. The Christopher M. Patti Legal Fellowship is named for Berkeley's esteemed former Chief Campus Counsel, Christopher M. Patti. Chris was a member of OGC for more than 27 years and served as Berkeley's Chief Campus Counsel for the last seven years of his life. He was a constitutional law expert, known for his integrity and keen insights in the face of complex legal challenges. Chris was widely respected across the University for his integrity, expertise in constitutional law, and dedication to the University. He was a problem-solver and exceptional counselor - his colleagues and people across the University prized Chris's perceptive and pragmatic advice. In August 2017, Chris tragically passed away in an accident during one of his beloved biking excursions. The Christopher M. Patti Legal Fellowship Program provides a unique opportunity for a new lawyer to gain experience in the broad spectrum of issues facing public and non-profit entities. UC, as a constitutionally created public institution, employs over 100 attorneys systemwide who provide services from compliance counseling to litigation. Specific areas of practice include constitutional law, contracts, employment, free speech, governance, intellectual property, international research affiliations, public-private partnerships, public and private research collaborations, real estate developments, sexual violence and sexual harassment, student/faculty/staff affairs, and UC's unique status as a constitutionally protected public corporation. Under the supervision of OGC attorneys, the Fellow will conduct legal research; draft documents; attend client meetings, hearings, and negotiations, as appropriate and possible; and participate in other activities intended to expose the Fellow to the practice of law and substance of OGC's specialties. The Fellow will have the opportunity to work both at OGC and at the UC Berkeley Office of Legal Affairs.

Responsibilities

60% Client Service

• Under the supervision of UC Legal attorney(s), learns collaborative and consultative practices to begin establishing relationships with key internal (local and systemwide) and external constituencies (e.g., the public, government agencies, outside counsel, etc.).

• Becomes skilled at providing counsel to UC clients on standard to moderately complex matters.

• Utilizes best practice research methods and effectively communicates advice- both in writing and verbally.

20% Issue Management

• Learns to assess and manage priorities effectively.
• Effectively consults with supervisor regarding development and presentation of alternative approaches for addressing an issue, to include risk analysis.

10% Administrative, Records & Compliance Responsibilities

• Ensures accurate record keeping in compliance with UC Legal data quality protocols.
• Complies with delegations of authority for committing University funds.

10% Leadership & Principles of Community

• Practices UC Legal's established Values for Principles of Community: collaborative, supportive, respectful of differences, and committed to fairness in all interactions, both within and outside the team.
• Learns to provide clear expectations and mentors legal support staff to meet expected levels of productivity and accuracy.

Required Qualifications

• Interest in pursuing a career with public or non-profit entities, possibly in the field of higher education. Interest in California public policy. Excellent academic credentials. Keen analytical skills.

• Ability to gain skills in collaboration and creative thinking to effectively partner with other attorneys and a broad spectrum of clients. Ability to work collegially and cooperatively with others in a team-oriented, fast-paced work environment.

• Basic understanding of legal issues in a University counsel setting.

• Demonstrated interpersonal communication skills, including strong ability to actively listen to understand and differentiate critical aspects of issue, prior to offering counsel. Aptitude for communicating persuasively verbally and in writing. Demonstrated written communication skills and ability to create and deliver effective materials and/or presentations appropriate to a particular audience.

• With mentoring in this Fellowship, the capacity to develop into the kind of exceptional counselor and lawyer that Chris Patti exemplified.

• Ability to acquire skills to draft accurate and complete legal documents such as pleadings, legal responses, affidavits, position statements and briefs.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion and tact when handling sensitive or potentially sensitive issues.

• Demonstrated commitment to the highest ethical standards.

Education

• Must have received a J.D. from Berkeley Law within the past 3 years, including 2027.

Licenses and Certifications

• Current member in good standing of the California Bar Association or anticipated to sit for the exam in July 2027 or later, with the prior approval of OGC.

Travel Requirements
5% Occasional travel for business meetings, the vast majority of which occur in the state of California.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

The person hired will be required to reside within California and report to work on-site at UC’s Office of the President (UCOP) located in Oakland, CA on a regular basis. Current policy requires that a new employee work on-site at least two days per week on Tuesday and Wednesdays (“anchor days”). 

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Job Title: Counsel 1
Job Code: 005948
Salary Grade: Grade 23
Payscale: $105,000 - $110,000 annual, commensurate with experience

The University of California, Office of the President, is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

Benefits: For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit: Benefits of Belonging

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

HOW TO APPLY

Please be prepared to attach a cover letter and resume with your application.

APPLICATION REVIEW DATE

The first review date for this job is September 1, 2026. The position will be open until filled.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check Process: Successful completion of a background check is required for this critical position.  Background check process at UCOP

Smoke Free Work Environment: The University of California, Office of the President, is smoke & tobacco-free as of January 1, 2014. UC Smoke & Tobacco Free Policy

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

• “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
  • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
  • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
  • APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment 

EEO STATEMENT

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

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