Assistant General Counsel, Special Litigation
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- Central Administration
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- Sep 24, 2024 Post Date
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- 231 Total Views
Title: Assistant General Counsel, Special Litigation
Reports To: Senior General Counsel for Civil Rights and Special Projects
Union Affiliation: Not Represented by a Union
Salary Range: $90,166 - $117,445
For forward-thinking administrators and educators opportunities abound in the School District of Philadelphia. The School District of Philadelphia is committed to transforming the education opportunities it offers the city’s more than 203,000 school-aged children. The District seeks District leaders who have a passion for working with schools, principals and communities and who are committed to ensuring all students achieve. Serving a population as diverse as ours requires creativity, commitment and vision. Will you join us?
Job Summary
Provides legal advice and representation to the Board of Education and the School District of Philadelphia and its employees with a focus on federal litigation, investigatory responses, and regulatory compliance, and special projects. Works under the supervision of the General Counsel and the Senior General Counsel, Civil Rights and Special Projects. This position will support a range of special litigation matters, with a focus on civil rights, environmental litigation, and negotiations arising out of federal compliance and regulatory matters. While the focus of the position is on litigation, some advising work will also be necessary. The Office of General Counsel handles a diverse and challenging array of legal issues and provides ongoing learning opportunities.
Essential Functions
● Defends the District in both federal and state courts, administrative tribunals, and hearing officer proceedings, from matter initiation, through motion practice, discovery, settlement negotiations, hearings, trial, and appeals; matters are primarily handled within the Office of General Counsel (OGC), with outside counsel retained and overseen by OGC attorneys as appropriate for certain types of matters and based on need.
● Manages case timelines independently and is able to provide updates on status and strategy at regular intervals as well as when needed by leadership or by the client.
● Can research and learn new areas of law quickly, and with depth, as organizational needs require.
● Special project on an as needed basis, on a wide variety of issues including that may be novel or unforeseen.
● Concentrates on matters concerning civil rights requirements, while also providing legal advice on a wide range of education, policy, school law, and other regulatory focused topics.
● Assists in development and implementation of policies, practices, procedures, and training through committee participation, training sessions, continuing legal education, presentations, and data analysis and data-driven decision-making.
● Proactively anticipates client needs and works to maximize efficiency in providing legal services and District processes.
● Advises on risk management, fact-finding, investigations, issue identification, and resolution.
● Advises District governance, leadership, and program offices.
● Counsels various levels of school personnel and administration concerning issues affecting students, staff, and operations.
● Participates in evaluation and development of improvement in systems, personnel, and procedures in the OGC and other offices as appropriate.
● Interacts professionally and respectfully with District personnel, District partners, parents and guardians, representatives of other governmental and social services entities, contractors, for profit and not-for-profit entities, opposing counsel, and advocacy groups.
● Maintains the utmost confidentiality and protects information from improper disclosure.
Minimum Requirements
● Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
● Certificate of admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and active member in good standing, without the need for paid time off for that purpose. Applicants must be in compliance with the most recently completed twelve-month Continuing Legal Education compliance period as of the date of employment.
● Three years of full-time, paid experience in a law firm, non-profit or government legal department, other in-house legal department, or in a judicial clerkship.
● Prior experience in either special education, civil rights, environmental litigation, and compliance is highly preferred.
● All work experience related to the position must be included on your resume.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
● Demonstrated knowledge of:
o state and federal statutory, regulatory, and common law particularly as they relate to functions of the School District.
o judicial proceedings and rules of evidence as related to the areas of specialization.
o principles, practices, methods, and techniques of legal research.
o uses and capabilities of personal computers and software applications including word processing, database management, and spreadsheets.
● Demonstrated ability to:
o analyze, organize, and evaluate evidence and procedures involving difficult and complex cases and to present such material in clear and logical form for verbal and written presentation.
o juggle a substantial workload and use judgment in prioritizing matters.
o maintain flexibility in work hours and for high-peak work flow.
o cooperate and collaborate with office colleagues and District clients.
o accept responsibilities and opportunities, including those outside of the area of specialty.
o adapt to new or different ways of doing things.
o analyze legal documents and instruments.
o draft legal instruments and propose legislation.
o negotiate terms and conditions successfully, including resolution of contested legal cases.
o exercise sound judgment, discretion, and confidentiality.
o handle multiple concurrent tasks.
Disclaimer
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.
Nondiscrimination
The School District of Philadelphia provides to all persons equal access to all categories of employment in this District, regardless of race, color, age, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin or handicap/disability, gender identity, or genetic information. Please refer to Board Policy 104 for further information regarding the District's commitment to Nondiscrimination in Employment Practices.
