General counsel jobs in higher education once offered lawyers an opportunity to practice at a less-frenzied pace, with fewer crises to manage, risks to mitigate and deals to close than they'd likely experience at law firms or at corporate legal departments. But the serenity the position once offered is a distant memory for most university GCs, replaced by the pressure—and thrill—of helping guide their institutions n increasingly complex web of legal, financial and social challenges.

“It’s one of the hardest GC jobs out there—private or public sector—because of the complexity,” said Heather Fine, a partner on Major, Lindsey & Africa's in-house recruiting team.