Passhe Legal Counsel

Andrew C. Lehman was appointed Chief Counsel of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) in March 2014, after serving as Acting Chief Counsel since July 2013. Andy, who has represented PASSHE since 2004, was previously primarily responsible for the Human Resources and Industrial Relations departments at PASSHE Universities and the Chancery. He has also been a collective bargaining negotiator, chaired grievance arbitration, and represented PASSHE before the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board and the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court. While studying law, I applied for a position as a law clerk in the university`s general counsel`s office and was lucky that the office took a chance with someone who had no experience in higher education – well, really no experience in general. I found the subjects of higher education law to be extremely diverse and challenging; The clients were intelligent and opinionated; And the work-life balance was very reasonable compared to some of my classmates who worked at large law firms. After graduating from law school, I returned to my home county of York, Pennsylvania, where I worked as an assistant prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney`s Office. From there, I went into private practice, where I worked as a civil procedure lawyer. In 2004, when PASSHE had a position as a lawyer focused on employment law and was looking for an experienced litigator for arbitration and other administrative hearings, I applied and was fortunate that my litigation experience as a litigator was a skill sought after by PASSHE.

I came full circle, leveraging all the skills I had developed since my position at law school in the university`s general counsel`s office. For more information, please visit our website: www.passhe.edu/inside/legal/. The Office of the General Counsel to the Governor provides effective and responsive legal services to the Commonwealth, the Governor, members of his Cabinet and more than 30 executive agencies that manage Commonwealth affairs. This includes providing legal advice and representation on issues and matters related to the activities of the executive bodies under the responsibility of the Governor and certain independent bodies. Under the direction of PASSHE`s Chief Legal Advisor, this University Legal Advisor provides general legal advice to assigned administrative and academic officials and department heads, drafts and reviews contracts, or performs other work necessary to serve the universities that make up the state higher education system and/or the Chancery. This option is located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, although some travel may be required from time to time. The successful candidate for this position shall possess a minimum of three (3) years, preferably for five (5) years or more, of relevant legal experience in dealing with increasingly complex issues; demonstrated capacity for legal research, analysis and argumentation; superior interpersonal and communication skills; the ability to identify and solve complex and sensitive problems creatively and with professional discretion; the ability and willingness to deal with a variety of complex legal issues both independently and as a team; and the ability to interact and function effectively both in academia and within a government organization. This position often requires careful exercise of confidentiality and independent judgment. Pennsylvania State Higher Education SystemDr. OGC Chancellor Daniel Greenstein is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce.

The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most qualified personnel to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, religious belief, ancestry, trade union membership, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability or other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All candidates are encouraged to apply. Andy was admitted to the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. He received his bachelor`s degree with highest honors from Pennsylvania State University and graduated from Tulane Law School in New Orleans, Louisiana. COVID-19 considerations: All employees are encouraged to maintain social distancing when working in the field. The schedule is part-time telework. Vaccination is also encouraged. The work is not glamorous and mostly takes place behind the scenes, but it directly helps our students and universities and that motivates me.

The topics are diverse and interesting, and most of the time, the practice is what I would call preventive law. I am proud when topics on which my office devotes a lot of time contribute to the university`s goal, even if only to a small extent. As I mentioned earlier, the issues involved in the practice of higher education law are diverse and interesting, and priorities can be determined by the times in which we live and the government`s regulatory priorities. We are currently living in a time when defending our constitutional protection can be controversial and First Amendment issues abound. My team`s role was to educate clients on protection and rights (and equip them for conversations with students) about the protection and rights granted to internal (students and staff) and external groups. Showing empathy while upholding our oath as lawyers to support, obey, and defend the U.S. and Pennsylvania constitutions is a priority for all lawyers in my firm, as is maintaining consistency in such matters. Emphasis is also placed on advising universities on issues of sexual misconduct (Title IX). Cases of sexual misconduct have a lot at stake for everyone involved and the institutions that decide on them.

An overview of current regulations and evolving jurisprudence is paramount to help universities follow a clear process that allows for due constitutional process.