Candidates will discuss their preparation for the position, education, leadership philosophy and views on significant issues related to the position. The Public will have the opportunity to ask questions pertaining to the position and the candidate’s experience. If you require an accommodation for these events please contact the college, send an email to accessiblity@avc.edu.
Bridget Cook
Wednesday, November 17, 2021 at 1:00pm
- The open forum will be held via Zoom and streamed through YouTube on Wednesday, November 17, 2021 at 1:00pm: Concluded
- Should you wish to participate in the open forum, submit your questions no later than 11:59 pm, Tuesday, November 16, 2021: Closed
- At the conclusion of the forum you have the opportunity to provide feedback until 5:00 pm on Thursday, November 18, 2021. Please use the following link: Closed
Nicholas Phillips
Thursday, November 18, 2021 at 1:00pm
- The open forum will be held via Zoom and streamed through YouTube on Thursday, November 18, 2021 at 1:00pm: Concluded
- Should you wish to participate in the open forum, submit your questions no later than 11:59 pm, Wednesday, November 17, 2021: Closed
- At the conclusion of the forum you have the opportunity to provide feedback until 5:00 pm on Thursday, November 18, 2021. Please use the following link: Closed
For questions related to this process, please contact Ana Patin at 661-722-6300 ext. 6116 or email apatin@avc.edu.
Position Description
Introduction
Under the direction of the Superintendent/President the General Counsel is the District’s Chief Legal Officer and a member of the Executive Council. The General Counsel serves as the District's staff attorney and provides legal advice to the Board of Trustees, the Superintendent/President, management of the District, and other employees. The General Counsel represents the District in litigation, arbitration, and administrative proceedings by preparing pleadings, negotiating between parties, and participating in the trial of cases of major importance to the District's educational programs and administrative and financial functions.
Distinguishing Characteristics:
This position is required to manage the complex legal matters involving the District and to protect the college from liability or exposure under the law and to manage the college’s strategic assertion of its legal rights and prerogatives. The position exercises significant executive and administrative judgment.
Duties
- Serves as a member of the Superintendent/President 's executive staff.
- Advises and provides legal opinions to the Board of Trustees, President/Superintendent and executive staff on legal matters related to governance and the policies, programs, and projects of the District.
- Attends and provides legal advice at meetings of the Board of Trustees and other such meetings as the Board and the Superintendent/President may direct; and serves as the Board's parliamentarian.
- Provides advice and opinions on legal questions regarding the conduct of the District.
- Plans, organizes, prioritizes and directs the activities of the Office of General Counsel.
- Provides legal analysis and research with respect to legislative matters to inform the President/Superintendent and campus constituencies of pending challenges and opportunities.
- Prepares drafts of legal documents advising officials of their rights, obligations, practices and of the applicable local, state, and federal law.
- Advises and assists in the development, review, revision, and distribution of District policies and procedures, legal forms, and other documents.
- Drafts or reviews contracts and agreements, including, but limited to leases, rentals, purchases, contracts, and instruments effecting transfers of property, resolutions, and other legal documents or instruments, as needed or requested.
- Coordinates the work for contracted investigators and outside counsel, as well as counsel representing the District’s insurance administrators/carriers.
- Serves as District’s liaison with other governmental entities in legal affairs as determined by the President/Superintendent.
- Consults with and advises the administrative staff on legal matters including academic, business employee and student grievances, complaints, and disciplinary matters.
- Serves as legal consultant in Human Resources matters, providing assistance and/or leading the District’s negotiating teams in developing contracts with recognized employee organizations.
- Prepares for and represents the District at administrative law hearings as directed by the President/Superintendent.
- Supervises assigned staff.
- Performs other duties as assigned by the Superintendent/President.
Meet the Candidates
Bridget Cook
Candidate Stated Objective
I serve as the interim General Counsel for Antelope Valley College (AVC). As an experienced and successful school law attorney, I am well prepared to assume the role of General Counsel on a permanent basis.
I have over 23 years of experience as a practitioner in the school and college settings. I earned my Juris Doctorate from Whittier Law School. After teaching high school for several years, I had the opportunity to become the first in-house attorney and General Counsel for Antelope Valley Union High School District (AVUHSD) where I established a high-functioning legal department with support staff. As General Counsel for AVUHSD, my duties included providing day-to-day legal advice regarding school law matters including additional duties of defending and litigating Special Education due process complaints. I advised the Board on governance matters and was appointed the Board’s Sergeant-at-Arms and Parliamentarian for 17 years.
For nearly 2 years, I’ve had the privilege of working in a similar role as AVC’s interim General Counsel. I have set up a legal department in a large educational institution. I have adapted my skills to the higher education setting and learned the requirements of participatory governance and the community college environment. I've also had the pleasure of serving as the chief negotiating officer for collective bargaining matters and have been an integral part of the President's Executive staff, and other committees where we establish best practices to serve students.
I am uniquely qualified to continue service to an amazing organization.
Education
Whittier Law School, Los Angeles, CA, Juris Doctorate
Most Recent Work Experience
Antelope Valley College
January 2020 to Present
Nicholas Phillips
Candidate Stated Objective
I am a multi-lingual, experienced in-house lawyer with a blend of domestic and international legal experience. I currently serve as General Counsel at St. Mary’s School, a private boarding school in Medford, Oregon, and I know that my diverse professional experience, including legal work in China and Japan with Mabuchi Motor, the world’s leading manufacturer of small DC electric motors, will make me an asset to Antelope Valley Community College, its legal team, and its administration.
At St. Mary’s of Medford, Inc. and Mabuchi Motor Co. Ltd., I have provided a broad range of corporate legal advice across numerous technical, business, and operational units, from training in-house counsel in China, conducting antitrust compliance training in Japan, and helping start manufacturing subsidiaries in Mexico and Poland to opening a dormitory and growing an international boarding program in Oregon. I presently advise administrative teams on transactional, regulatory, and insurance issues as St. Mary’s School manages risks at home while opening accredited partner school campuses across mainland China.
Throughout my career, my responsibilities have required me to organize and prioritize matters effectively while working independently and efficiently towards quickly getting answers for my business partners, no matter how ambiguous the situation. All of my professional and educational experiences have continuously required me to refine my organization and communication skills.
After spending the first six years of my career in corporate legal departments in Asia and Oregon, the prospect of joining Antelope Valley Community College is incredibly exciting, especially given your global outlook and commitment to academic excellence.
Education
University of Illinois College of Law, Doctorate in Law (J.D.)
Most Recent Work Experience
St. Mary’s School Medford, OR
August 2017 to Present