Executive Legal Assistant SY 2025-26 (NBOE)

NEWARK BOARD OF EDUCATION 
HUMAN RESOURCE SERVICES
765 BROAD STREET, NEWARK, NEW JERSEY 07102
ROGER LEON, SUPERINTENDENT

EXECUTIVE LEGAL ASSISTANT
Office of the General Counsel

(Pending availability of funds and Board of Education approval)

The Superintendent invites qualified and interested persons to apply for the position of Executive Legal Assistant within the Office of the General Counsel.

DEFINITION:  To assist and provide a range of legal support and administration to school attorneys and other legal professionals engaged in ensuring district compliance with school law.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
1.    Bachelor's degree from an accredited college required. 
2.    Certificate in paralegal studies or equivalent experience. 
3.    Five (5) to Ten (10) years of experience in the capacity of a legal assistant to an executive or administrative official in a public or private organization.
4.    Extensive knowledge of school legal principles and practices. Extensive knowledge of legal research techniques.
5.    Superb computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint).
6.    Criminal history background check and proof of U.S. citizenship or legal resident alien status.
7.    Ability to read, write, speak, understand and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of   the position. 
8.    Current residency in New Jersey, approved residency waiver or candidate agrees to obtain residency within one (1) year of employment. 
 

Note: Applicants who do not possess the required education may substitute additional experience as indicated on a year-for-year basis with thirty (30) semester hour credits being equal to one (1) year of experience.

BASIC FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1.    Serve as confidential assistant to the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel.
2.    Assist in managing operations of the Office of General Counsel, including:  
            •    Proactively manage administrative support 
            •    Manage office functions, equipment, and supplies
            •    Assist in budget preparation and monitoring
            •    Provide direction and assistance as needed to the Department coordinator/clerk
3.    Assist in monitoring and coordinating services of outside counsel, including:
            •    Prepare and maintain professional services contracts
            •    Assign matters to outside counsel as directed
            •    Respond to inquiries and requests from outside counsel; act as liaison between outside counsel and district staff in investigations, discovery, witness, coordination, scheduling, etc.
            •    Monitor outside counsel fees and costs; attend to invoices and accounts payable
4.    Perform legal and factual research.
5.    Identify relevant judicial decisions, statutes, legal articles, codes and other pertinent material related to public school operations.
6.    Organize and analyze information, cross-check and validate information.
7.    Assist attorneys in monitoring calendars; meeting deadlines; documenting actions; confirming case status.
8.    Perform records research and assist in the maintenance, management and legal destruction of District records in accordance with New Jersey State Records Retention Schedules. 
9.    Review and monitor new and updated education laws and regulations, important commissioner and court decisions and prepare District policy revisions and updates as necessary for attorney review.
10.    Draft legal documents including pleadings, appeals, negotiated agreements and legal memoranda.
11.    Help prepare legal arguments, applications, declarations and District motions.
12.    Help maintain student and personnel records as required to ensure appropriate compliance with the confidentiality rights of students and personnel.
13.    Prepare correspondence.
14.    Check and edit legal forms and documents for accuracy.