Assistant General Counsel: Litigation and Special Education

Assistant General Counsel: Litigation and Special Education
OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL
440 N. BROAD STREET
PHILADELPHIA, PA 19130

Central Office

Job Number: 4600149482

Start Date:

Open Date: 02/02/2018

Closing Date:

Job Summary
Provides legal advice and representation to the School Reform Commission/Board of Education and the School District of Philadelphia and its employees on a wide array of legal issues. Works under the supervision of the General Counsel and focuses on torts and claim litigation, special education, and will crossover to support civil rights, labor and employment, commercial litigation, school law, and other issues as needed. 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 federal and state courts, administrative tribunals, and in hearing officer proceedings, from matter initiation, through motion practice, discovery, settlement negotiations, trial, and appeals; matters are primarily handled within OGC, with outside counsel retained and overseen by OGC attorneys as appropriate for certain types of matters and based on need.
• Provides legal advice on a wide range of education, policy, compliance, labor, litigation, transactional, real estate, school law, charter schools, and related issues.
• Assists in the development and implementation of policies, practices, procedures, and training through committee participation, training sessions, workshops, and presentations.
• Proactively anticipates client needs and works to maximize efficiency in providing legal services and in 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.
• Participates in evaluation and development of improvement in systems, personnel, and procedures in the Office of General Counsel and in 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 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.
• Three years of full-time, paid experience in a law firm, non-profit legal department, in-house legal department, or in a judicial clerkship.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
All Specialties
Demonstrated knowledge of:

• the common laws and the state and federal laws particularly as they relate to administrative, fiscal and regulatory functions of the School District or personal injury claims.
• judicial proceedings and of the rules of evidence as related to the area of specialization.
• the principles, practices, methods and techniques of legal research.
• the principles and practices of governmental laws particularly as they apply to the tax levy measures provided under state statutes.
• the uses and capabilities of personal computers and their software applications including word processing, database management and spreadsheets.

Demonstrated ability to :

• analyze, organize and evaluate the evidence and procedures involving difficult and complex cases and to present such material in clear and logical form for all written presentations such as memos, briefs, opinions, orders or decisions.
• juggle a substantial workload and use judgment in prioritizing matters.
• maintain flexibility in work hours and for high-peak work flow.
• cooperate and collaborate with office colleagues and District clients.
• accept responsibilities and opportunities.
• remain willing to handle matters outside areas of familiarity.
• adapt to new or different ways of doing things.
• demonstrate a strong work ethic, and balance the stress associated with practicing law with a sense of humor.
• analyze legal documents and instruments.
• draft legal instruments and propose legislation.
• negotiate terms and conditions successfully.
• exercise sound judgment, discretion and tact required.
• 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.
Certificates/Licenses

• Certificate of admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and active member in good standing.

OR

• Eligible for admission to the Pennsylvania Bar within six months of employment, without the need for paid time off for that purpose, and are active members in good standing and currently licensed to practice law in another state.

Applicants must be in compliance with the most recently completed twelve-month Continuing Legal Education compliance period as of the date of employment.

Additional Job Information: This is a non-represented role. The salary grade for this position is 4030.

Interviews may be conducted to determine how well a candidate meets the established criteria. Note that not all qualified candidates may be selected for an interview. Additional factors including the ability to follow directions, punctuality and professional conduct will be considered in part of the evaluation process. The selected candidate must have no anecdotal record on file and have not been subject to any disciplinary action within the past eighteen (18) months, and have an excellent record of attendance and punctuality during the last three (3) years (defined as no more than eighteen (18) occasions of lateness or absence for personal illness in the last three years (3) years with the exception of one extended long-term absence.