Title: Associate General Counsel, Labor and Employment

Department: General Counsel

Reports To: Deputy General Counsel, Labor and Employment

Salary Range: $107,655 - $140,227

Union: This position is not represented by a union

The School District of Philadelphia is committed to becoming the fastest improving District in the country and transforming the educational opportunities it offers to our city’s more than 198,000 students. The District seeks leaders who have a passion for working with schools and communities who are committed to ensuring all students achieve. Serving a population as diverse as ours requires creativity, commitment and vision. Will you join us?

Job Summary

Provides legal advice and representation to Board of Education and the School District of Philadelphia and its employees on a wide array of legal issues. Oversees projects and develops innovative strategies to resolve legal challenges. Provides guidance to and oversees work performed by less senior counsel. Works under the supervision of the Deputy General Counsel, Labor and Employment and a Senior General Counsel, Labor and Employment as required and specializes in labor and employment, litigation, claims, and collective bargaining agreement matters.

In conjunction with providing compliance and strategic analysis and advice, this position will require the attorney to collaborate with District leadership and other departments including, for example, Facilities and Maintenance, Capital Programs, Communications, Budget, and Procurement. Handles and oversees potential litigation and administrative proceedings, and assists with respect to policies, procedures, legislation, transactional agreements, and other areas and documents as needed. This position will also collaborate about and independently handle projects and work streams as needed by the District and assigned by the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, or Deputy General Counsel, Compliance and Ethics.

Essential Functions

• Represents the School District, the Board of Education and District officers and employees in varied transactions and litigation on a wide range of education, labor and employment, litigation, risk mitigation, and business and operational issues.

• Provides legal advice and counsel to Board of Education members, officers and employees on a wide range of labor and employment, litigation, collective bargaining agreements and human resources matters.

• Represents the District in labor arbitrations and in employment discrimination cases before administrative agencies and in court.

• Participates in labor negotiations and strategy and provides counsel to the Office of Talent and other offices regarding labor and employment issues.

• Represents the District in Board Hearings for employee disciplinary matters and practices before the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board.

• Serves as a key contributor and handles the complex legal issues; provides assessments and solutions which are optimal for the School District and the Board of Education.

  Leads, supports and trains Assistant General Counsel staff on law matters in the area of labor and employment and on particular subject areas.

• Prevents legal claims by identifying potential risks and making appropriate recommendations.

• Defends law suits and claims by discussing matters with opposing counsel, filing necessary legal papers, conducting extensive discovery proceedings, meeting with and preparing the testimony of witnesses, trying cases or arranging settlements in the best interest of the School District.

• Advises employees by providing legal advice to principals and administrators on a daily basis and by issuing legal opinions when requested.

• Assists in the formation of School District practices and procedures through committee leadership roles in such areas as affirmative action, school closings and desegregation.

  Provides representation in appellate court proceedings by filing briefs and arguing these cases before the Commonwealth Court, Superior Court and Supreme Court of Pennsylvania as well as Federal Appellate Courts.

• Provides all the insurance needs of the School District by meeting with School District insurance committees.

Other Functions

• May be responsible for approving the purchase of insurance policies and administering the School District’s self-insurance program for automobile liability, general liability, property claims and Workers’ Compensation.
• May assist School District departments in the preparation of bid specifications, and in all legal problems that arise in the course of their activities; meets with representatives of these departments on an as needed basis.
• Counsels District governance, leadership and program offices, on school level issues.
• Counsels various levels of school personnel and administration concerning issues affecting individual, groups of, and all students.
• Participates in evaluation of 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 bodies and agencies, 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 school of law.

• Five years of full-time, paid, professional legal experience or equivalent in a law firm, public sector law department or corporate law department.

Certificates/Licenses

• Certificate of admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and membership in good standing and for litigator’s admission to practice in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

OR

• Eligible for admission to the Pennsylvania Bar within six months of employment and are active members in good standing and currently licensed to practice law in another state and in compliance with the most recently completed twelve-month Continuing Legal Education compliance period.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of:

o 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. o judicial proceedings and of the rules of evidence as related to the area of labor and employment.

o the principles, practices, methods and techniques of legal research.

o the principles and practices of governmental laws particularly as they apply to the tax levy measures provided under state statutes.

o the uses and capabilities of personal computers and their software applications including word processing, database management and spreadsheets.

• Demonstrated ability to:

o 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.

o analyze legal documents and instruments.

o draft legal instruments and propose legislation.

o negotiate terms and conditions successfully.

o manage a detail-oriented workload.

o organize and prioritize workload during high pressure, high-volume workload periods.

o collaborate with colleagues and District clients.

o exercise sound judgment, discretion and tact required.

o handle matters outside areas of familiarity.

o manage stress.

o handle multiple concurrent tasks.

o review and process information within a computerized web system throughout the majority of the workday.

o travel as required.

o express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.

o establish and maintain effective working relationships.

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.

Nondiscrimination

The School District of Philadelphia provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, age, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, disability, pregnancy, marital status, gender identity, or genetic information. Please refer to Board Policy 348 for further information regarding the District's commitment to Nondiscrimination in Employment Practices.