Chief Legal Officer

Allentown School District; Allentown (Lehigh County); On-site; USD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Allentown School District seeks a Chief Legal Officer to oversee legal services for the School Board, Superintendent/CEO, and district staff. The role requires deep knowledge of constitutional and Pennsylvania school law to guide governance, policy, and compliance.

The successful candidate will lead litigation strategies, supervise outside counsel, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws affecting PreK-12 education.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Member of the Pennsylvania State Bar in good standing.
• 7–10 years of progressively responsible legal experience, with substantial education/public sector law.
• Expertise in PreK-12 education law, IDEA, Section 504, Title IX and related compliance.
• Strong litigation management experience, including outside counsel oversight and risk mitigation.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local education and employment laws.
• Excellent written and oral communication; ability to translate legal issues for non-legal audiences.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal services to the School Board, Superintendent/CEO, and district staff.
• Translate complex legal issues into practical guidance for non-legal audiences.
• Oversee risk management, compliance, and regulatory responsibilities.
• Manage outside counsel and oversee litigation activities.

Skills

Education law

Public sector law

Litigation management

Constitutional law

Regulatory knowledge

Written & oral communication

Policy interpretation

Education

Juris Doctorate

Pennsylvania Bar admission

Job description

Summary

The Chief Legal Officer is responsible for legal services to the School Board of Directors, Superintendent/CEO, and school district's staff. The Chief Legal Officer must possess special knowledge of Constitutional law and Pennsylvania school and employment law, knowledge of Pennsylvania statutes pertaining to schools, and knowledge of the regulatory powers, limitations, authorities, and responsibilities of the School Board of Directors.

• Juris Doctorate from an American Bar Association and an accredited law school.
• Member of the Pennsylvania State Bar and in good standing with the State Bar of Pennsylvania.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of progressively responsible legal experience, with substantial practice in education law, public sector law, or governmental legal services.
• Demonstrated expertise in PreK-12 education law, including federal and state education statutes and regulations, special education law (IDEA, Section 504), student rights and discipline, Title IX and compliance, and public records, open meetings, and transparency laws.
• Strong litigation management experience, including oversight of outside counsel and risk mitigation strategies.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relating to public education, employment law, labor relations, and risk management.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to translate complex legal issues into practical guidance for non-legal audiences.
• Thorough knowledge of the legislative process.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as law, regulations, policy, and procedures.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both written and oral forms with all levels of management, both internal and external to the district.