Assistant General Counsel

Reports To

General Counsel

Work Year Days

226

Salary

Base Salary - $165,000/Annually. Actual salary will be calculated based on experience and credentials.

Primary Purpose

Provide legal support for campus and department administrators.  Assist and advise the General Counsel on legal matters.

Qualifications

Education/Certification:Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from an ABA accredited law school

Licensed to practice law in the State of Texas

Special Knowledge/Skills:Knowledge of legal terminology and state, federal, and local laws and regulations related to public education

Skill in interpreting the application of local, state, and federal law and regulations, particularly as they relate to a large organization

Skill in accurately processing in a fast-paced and structured deadline environment

Skill in legal research and writing

Skill in contract negotiations

Skill in critical thinking, problem-solving, and legal analysis

Ability to balance legal risks against operational concerns when providing legal counsel

Ability to prioritize tasks and coordinate multiple projects to meet specific deadlines

Ability to effectively communicate with diverse groups of individuals utilizing tact and diplomacy

Ability to maintain confidentiality of privileged and sensitive information at all times

 

Experience:Minimum of three years of experience practicing law

Experience working directly with clients

Experience in school law, employment law, public/government law, and contract law preferred

Major Responsibilities and Duties

Legal Counsel:

Supervise District contracting processes including advising District staff regarding contract terms, drafting contracts, notices, amendments, terminations, negotiating with vendors, and the contract approval process.

Provide support to campus staff regarding requests for student records.

Supervise response to subpoenas for records and advise staff regarding subpoenas for testimony.

Advise campus personnel regarding documents relating to divorce decrees and possession orders.

Advise campus and department administrators regarding a variety of legal issues.

Provide legal counsel to the District's 504 Coordinator and Title IX Coordinator and advise all personnel involved in Title IX complaint investigations and responses.

Provide legal counsel to campus and department administrators with the District’s internal grievance process and procedures

 

Special Education:

Advise Special Education staff on relevant legal matters.

Participate in Admission, Review, and Dismissal Committee meetings as needed.

Manage and participate as counsel in due process hearing activities, including engagement and oversight of outside counsel, gathering information necessary to respond to discovery requests, identifying potential risks to the District, drafting responses and briefs, participating in pre-hearing conferences and mediations, and preparing staff as well as coordinating testimony of relevant personnel at hearings.

Respond to Texas Education Agency (TEA) and U.S. Department of Education - Office for Civil Rights (OCR) complaints, including gathering relevant documentation, drafting narrative responses to requests for information, and preparing witnesses during TEA and OCR investigations.

 

Employment:

Advise Human Resources staff on relevant legal matters.

Participate in Employee grievance conferences and investigatory interviews as legal counsel as needed.

Respond to Texas Workforce Commission and/or Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) complaints and/or investigations, including gathering relevant documentation, drafting narrative responses to requests for information or position statements, and preparing witnesses during related investigations.

Prepare the local record and represent District Administration at Employee grievance hearings before the District’s Board of Trustees.

 

General Responsibilities:

Design and facilitate training for campus and central administrators regarding contract processes, complaint processes and responses, First Amendment issues, and other legal issues as requested.

Maintain effective working relationships and provide a high level of customer service to administrators, District officials and employees, co-workers, vendors, outside attorneys and organizations, and the general public.

Participate in the selection, training, evaluation, and supervision of department staff and make recommendations relative to assignment, retention, discipline, and dismissal.

Other