Chief Education Counsel & District Legal Leader

Allentown School District; Allentown (Lehigh County); On-site; USD 180,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Allentown School District seeks a Chief Legal Officer to oversee all legal services for the district, advising the Superintendent, Board, and senior staff on education law, compliance, contracts, and governance. This role coordinates with the District Solicitor and external counsel to ensure timely, lawful guidance across district operations.

The candidate will lead litigation management, labor relations, policy development, and training on compliance topics, while safeguarding the district's

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from ABA-accredited law school.
• Active license to practice law in Pennsylvania.
• 7-10 years of progressively responsible legal experience in education, public sector, or government.
• Deep knowledge of PreK-12 education law, federal/state education statutes, IDEA, Section 504, Title IX and public records laws.
• Strong litigation management, risk mitigation, and outside counsel oversight.
• Excellent written and oral communication for diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Chief Legal Officer providing counsel to Superintendent, School Board, and senior staff.
• Oversee all legal services for the Allentown School District within legal boundaries.
• Coordinate with District Solicitor and external counsel as needed.
• Review, draft, and approve contracts, policies, grants, and governance documents.
• Lead negotiations for collective bargaining and manage grievances and labor relations.
• Provide training on legal compliance topics for district leaders and staff.
• Monitor compliance with Pennsylvania School Code and related laws.

Skills

Leadership

Legal strategy

Education law

Regulatory compliance

Contract negotiation

Written communication

Oral communication

Education

Juris Doctorate (ABA-accredited)

Active PA State Bar membership

Job description

Allentown School District seeks a Chief Legal Officer to oversee all legal services for the district, advising the Superintendent, Board, and senior staff on education law, compliance, contracts, and governance. This role coordinates with the District Solicitor and external counsel to ensure timely, lawful guidance across district operations.

The candidate will lead litigation management, labor relations, policy development, and training on compliance topics, while safeguarding the district's