General Counsel

General Counsel

The General Counsel serves as the principal legal advisor to the School Board, the Superintendent, and senior District administrators; provides expertise in specialized legal areas, including school district governance, labor and employment law, and capital projects; oversees litigation and other adversary proceedings; supervises staff within the General Counsel’s office, including attorneys, legal assistants, public records and risk management staff.

The General Counsel is expected to exercise sound professional judgment with minimal direction from the Superintendent and School Board, based upon experience and practice as a lawyer or in a government position.

Pay Range

Seattle Public Schools provided pay range: $/yr - $/yr

Essential Functions

30% Leadership

• Leads and supervises a team of attorneys, legal assistants, records officers, and risk management personnel.

• Serves as a member of the District’s executive leadership team.

• Oversees development and implementation of departmental budget.

30% Legal Advisor to Board and Executive Leadership

• Attends School Board meetings, advises the Board on parliamentary procedure and open public meetings issues, and responds to inquiries from Board Directors as necessary.

• Serves as principal legal advisor to the Superintendent, School Board, and senior District administrators.

• Consults with and advises District’s ethics officer.

• Maintains current knowledge of legislative, legal and regulatory developments affecting the District.

30% Manage District Litigation

• Manages the District’s caseload in litigation, arbitrations, administrative hearings, and other adversary procedures.

• Oversees the work of outside counsel, including providing direction on litigation decisions and settlement authority.

• Participates in District litigation.

• Works closely with the District’s insurer (the Washington Schools Risk Management Pool).

10% Governmental Relations

• Serves as District representative and liaison to other governmental and regulatory agencies.

Other Functions

• Serves as Assistant Secretary to the School Board.

• Takes a lead role in training District staff.

• Acts as District representative in regional and national organizations focused on education law, including the Council of School Attorneys and the Council of Great City Schools.

Seniority Level

Not Applicable

Employment Type

Full-time

Job Function

Legal

Industries

Primary and Secondary Education

Benefits

• Medical insurance

• Vision insurance

• 401(k)

• Paid maternity leave

• Paid paternity leave

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