Assistant General Counsel, (Labor and Employment)

Taleo; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 96,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The School District of Philadelphia seeks an Assistant General Counsel (Labor and Employment) to provide legal advice to the Board of Education and district staff on labor and employment matters. Reporting to the General Counsel, the role focuses on collective bargaining, employment litigation, and risk mitigation.

Candidates should have a J.D., at least three years of relevant experience in public sector or corporate law, and admission to the bar.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited school of law.
• Three years of full-time, paid, professional legal experience.
• Bar admission in Pennsylvania and eligibility within six months.

Responsibilities

• Represents the School District, the Board of Education and District officers and employees in varied transactions and litigation.
• Provides legal advice and counsel to Board of Education members, officers and employees on labor and employment issues.
• Prevents legal claims by identifying potential risks and making appropriate recommendations.
• Defends lawsuits and claims by discussing matters with opposing counsel, filing necessary legal papers, conducting extensive discovery proceedings, and preparing testimony.

Skills

Labor law

Employment law

Legal writing

Negotiation

Communication

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Title: Assistant General Counsel (Labor and Employment) Department: General Counsel Union: This position is NOT represented by a union Salary Range: 96,122 - 150,242 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 200,000 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 the 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 specializes in labor and employment.

Essential Functions All Specialties

• Represents the School District, the Board of Education and District officers and employees in varied transactions and litigation.
• Provides legal advice and counsel to Board of Education members, officers and employees on labor and employment issues.
• 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 participation in such areas as loss control, affirmative action, school closings, transportation 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.

Labor and Employment Specialty

• Provides legal advice concerning collective bargaining agreements, human resources and employment matters.
• Represents the District in labor arbitrations and in employment discrimination cases before administrative agencies and in court.

Minimum Requirements All Specialties

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited school of law.
• Three years of full-time, paid, professional legal experience in a law firm, public sector law department or corporate law department.

Certificates/Licenses All Specialties

• 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.
• 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
• All work experience related to the position must be included on the resume

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities All Specialties

• 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 specialization.
  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.