General Counsel

Description/Notes

Primary Purpose

Provide comprehensive in‑house legal counsel to the Superintendent, Board of Trustees, and district leadership to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal laws and to protect and advance the district’s legal and operational interests. Serve as the district’s chief legal advisor, overseeing all legal services, coordinating with outside counsel as needed, and providing proactive guidance on policy, contracts, governance, regulatory matters, and strategic initiatives.

• Law degree from an American Bar Association–approved law school
• Licensed to practice law in the State of Texas
• Member in good standing with the State Bar of Texas

• Minimum five years of progressively responsible experience in public or private legal practice, with emphasis on education law, employment law, or representation of governmental entities
• Experience advising governing boards, public agencies, or school districts preferred
• Specific experience in Texas public education law, including TEA rules, school funding, accountability, and special education, preferred
• Experience handling complex litigation, appellate matters, or significant negotiated transactions preferred
• Prior experience managing outside counsel, litigation, or complex legal matters highly desirable

• Comprehensive knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relating to public education
• Demonstrated legal research, litigation, and writing skills
• Specific knowledge related to employment law, regular education law, and special education law as they pertain to school districts
• Skill in interpreting law, policy, and procedures, particularly in the areas of school, contract, and employment law
• Knowledge of investigation practices, hearing procedures, and legal proceedings
• Thorough understanding of the legislative process and its implications for public education
• Ability to communicate effectively in both written and oral forms with all levels of management and stakeholders
• Ability to explain complex legal issues in plain language to non‑lawyers (administrators, board, community)
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and public relations skills
• Ability to formulate and present clear legal recommendations and arguments
• Skill in maintaining confidentiality of privileged and sensitive information
• Ability to work collaboratively across a complex organization and numerous stakeholders
• Experience working with external stakeholders (legal firms, governmental agencies, media)
• Proficiency with legal research tools (e.g., Westlaw, Lexis, State databases) and electronic systems
• Experience maintaining case management systems or legal tracking software
• Ability to use data and metrics to track workload, risk, and performance
• Familiarity with document management, e‑discovery, redaction tools, and workflow systems

• Strong ethics, integrity, discretion, and ability to maintain confidentiality
• Calmness under pressure, sound judgment, resilience
• Political and interpersonal sensitivity, diplomatic approach to complex stakeholder environments (Board, media, community)
• Active engagement in relevant professional organizations (e.g., Council of School Attorneys (COSA), Texas Association of School Boards (TASB), Texas School Attorneys Roundtable, State Bar committees) preferred
• Commitment to continued growth in the education law field

Salary Range: $122,795 - $166,133

How To Apply: