Associate Counsel

• Provides legal advice and counsel to the Board, the CEO, and other school system employees on legal requirements, best practices, and legal developments in the legal practice area(s) of assignment, as well as a wide variety of other matters, including but not limited to, litigation, labor and employment, student civil rights, special education, procurement, contracts, transactions, and land use.
• Represents the Board, CEO, and other school system employees in cases and matters before federal and state courts and in administrative hearings, including preparing and reviewing briefs, motions, and pleadings; organizing complex discovery and production of documents; preparing for and conducting trials; and closely coordinating and consulting with relevant school system staff.
• Provides legal support to the school system in response to complaints and investigations by government agencies regarding labor and employment, special education, civil rights, and other matters, which may require written responses that include extensive legal analysis of relevant issues.
• Represents the interests of the school system in negotiating settlement or resolution of legal matters.
• Coordinates responses to public information requests and subpoenas.
• Conducts research and drafts legal opinions regarding legal questions and issues, interpreting laws,
  rulings, policies, and addressing current or potential litigation exposure.
• Provides advice regarding federal and state legislation of concern to the school system.
• Prepares and conducts legal review regarding policies, regulations, contracts, transactions, agreements, union contracts, materials, and other documents to promote the interests of the school system.
• Proactively anticipates legal issues relevant to decision making.
• Keeps abreast of all pertinent federal and local legislation, regulations, and case law in the legal practice area(s) of assignment.
• Provides updates to school system staff on relevant legal decisions, legislation, policies, or regulations which may impact school system policy or practice.
• Develops and facilitates appropriate in-service activities and trainings for staff on education law, legal interpretations, and related areas.
• Provides direct support to school-based staff on custody disputes and other legal matters.
• Utilizes resources appropriately to complete work in the most efficient manner; proactively
  communicates the status of work; participates and contributes fully as a team member; and exercises sound judgment and decision-making skills to resolve sensitive matters.
• Performs and promotes all activities in compliance with equal employment and nondiscrimination
  policies; follow federal and state laws, school board policies and the professional standards.

• Possession of a Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited law school, plus a minimum of five years of
  recent progressively more responsible professional experience in public or private sector practice of law, preferably which deals with public school legal issues.
• Membership in the Maryland State Bar highly preferred.
• Thorough knowledge of legal principles and their application, and expertise in one or more of the
  primary legal practice areas of the Office of Legal Counsel (e.g., contracts and transactions, labor and
  employment, special education and school support services, and litigation).
• Demonstrated organizational skills and experience in assessing, interpreting, and resolving complex
  legal problems/situations.
• Excellent skills in managing legal matters and negotiating resolutions that accommodate conflicting
  interests and viewpoints.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, as well as excellent skills in legal research and
  in presenting, explaining, and defending policies and procedures.
• Ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships with school system employees and
  managers at all levels, as well as external attorneys and law firms, government leaders, and community stakeholders.
• Ability to interact with diverse constituencies and convey complicated information with tact and
  diplomacy.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize changing assignments, and organize busy workload, meet deadlines, and work well under pressure, while exercising excellent attention to detail.
• Proficient in the use of technical computer applications, in manipulating electronic databases, and in the use of Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, and case management systems.
• Other combinations of applicable education, training, and experience which provide the knowledge,
  abilities, and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position may be considered.

Qualified candidates for the above position must submit the following:

• Completed online application
• Resume that clearly demonstrates the above minimum qualifications. It is important that you include all experiences and education related to the position to which you are applying.
• Upload copies of all transcripts -undergraduate, graduate and all MSDE Certifications
• Must provide three (3) professional references to include: name, title, business address, e-mail address and phone number
• All documentation/certification necessary (scanned copies accepted) to substantiate minimum qualifications; must be uploaded into application
• All documentation must be scanned and uploaded to application

Benefits - This position is eligible for benefits. To review the available options please see the information relevant to the union for this position by viewing the following link: http://www.baltimorecityschools.org

Baltimore City Public Schools ("City Schools") does not discriminate in its employment, programs, and activities based on race, ethnicity, color, ancestry, national origin, nationality, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy or parenting status, family structure, ability (cognitive, social/emotional, and physical), veteran status, genetic information, age, immigration or citizenship status, socioeconomic status, language, or any other legally or constitutionally protected attributes or affiliations. Discrimination undermines our community's long-standing efforts to create, foster, and promote equity and inclusion for all. Some examples of discrimination include acts of hate, violence, harassment, bullying, or retaliation. For more information, see Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners Policies JBA (Nondiscrimination - Students), JBB (Sex-Based Discrimination - Students), JICK (Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation of Students), ACA (Nondiscrimination - Employees and Third Parties), ACB (Sexual Harassment - Employees and Third Parties), ACD (ADA Reasonable Accommodations), and ADA (Equity), and the accompanying City Schools Administrative Regulations. City Schools also provides equal access to the Boy and Girl Scouts and other designated youth groups. Link to Full Nondiscrimination Notice.

This position is not affiliated with the a bargaining union.

This position is affiliated with the City Retirement System.

In accordance with Maryland law, City School is required to share the position salary ranges in its entirety. Please note, this is not the hiring range. The hiring range for this position is ($98,972 - $138,185).