Education Law Senior Counsel

Fagen Friedman & Fulfrost LLP (F3 Law); St. Louis (MO); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 270,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) with profit-sharing

Hybrid work schedule

Part-time options

Job summary

F3 Law seeks an Education Law Senior Counsel to provide senior-level counsel and representation for education clients. The role requires handling sophisticated matters, serving as a trusted advisor, and offering subject‑matter expertise to the education practice.

The attorney will manage complex matters, advise on risk, collaborate with firm attorneys, and may mentor others while supporting growth of the education law practice.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school and active Missouri Bar license.
• Strong experience in education law with leading or independent management of matters.
• Experience advising clients and handling complex litigation or regulatory work.
• Proven leadership, mentoring, and client‑relations abilities.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating with partners and clients.

Responsibilities

• Serve as senior legal counsel and trusted advisor to education clients on complex matters.
• Independently manage education law matters including litigation, investigations, and regulatory issues.
• Provide strategic guidance to districts and institutions on risk management and operations.
• Lead high‑level negotiations, hearings, and dispute resolution; draft key documents.
• Mentor attorneys and support growth of the education law practice.

Skills

Legal analysis

Written advocacy

Client counseling

Leadership & mentoring

Independent work with collaboration

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Missouri Bar license

Illinois Bar admission (preferred)

Job description

About F3 Law

At F3 Law, we believe that a culture of inclusion and belonging, one of embracing and respecting each other’s differences, strengthens our ability to serve our clients and communities. We are committed to fostering a workplace where individuals of all backgrounds feel valued and appreciated. By bringing together different perspectives and lived experiences, we create better solutions and a more dynamic, thoughtful, and effective team.

F3 Law provides essential legal support to schools, colleges and other public entities, helping them navigate complex legal issues to fulfill their mission of serving students and communities.

Summary

Education Law Senior Counsel is a highly experienced attorney who will provide senior-level legal counsel and representation to F3’s education law clients. This position is designed for an accomplished practitioner who can independently handle sophisticated matters, serve as a trusted advisor to clients, and provide subject-matter expertise to F3’s education law practice.

Senior Counsel attorney will play a key role in managing complex legal matters, advising clients on significant risks and challenges, and collaborating with attorneys across the firm. The position may also provide opportunities to mentor attorneys and support the continued growth and development of the firm’s education law practice.

This could be a hybrid position, generally requiring regular in‑office collaboration approximately one day per week. F3 is open to discussing reduced‑hour and part‑time schedules with qualified candidates.

Responsibilities

• Serve as senior legal counsel and a trusted advisor to education clients on complex and sensitive legal matters.
• Independently manage sophisticated education law matters, including litigation, administrative proceedings, investigations, and regulatory or compliance issues.
• Provide strategic guidance to school districts, educational institutions, and other clients regarding complex legal, operational, and risk‑management matters.
• Lead or play a significant role in high‑level litigation, administrative hearings, due process proceedings, negotiations, and other dispute resolution matters.
• Develop legal strategies and provide practical, client‑focused recommendations.
• Draft and review sophisticated pleadings, briefs, legal memoranda, policies, contracts, and other legal documents.
• Work collaboratively with partners and attorneys on complex, high‑value, or high‑profile matters.
• Serve as a resource and mentor to attorneys and legal professionals within the education law practice.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships and contribute to F3’s reputation as a trusted legal advisor.
• Participate in client development, professional networking, speaking engagements, and thought leadership, as appropriate.
• Contribute to the strategic growth and development of the Firm’s education law practice.
• Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Active license and good standing with the Missouri Bar required.
• Illinois Bar admission is strongly preferred.
• Approximately 10+ years of relevant legal experience, with substantial education law experience strongly preferred.
• Significant experience independently managing sophisticated matters and advising clients on complex legal issues.
• Demonstrated expertise in one or more areas of education law, litigation, regulatory compliance, or related practice areas.
• Exceptional legal analysis, judgment, writing, advocacy, and client counseling skills.
• Strong leadership and mentoring abilities.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with attorneys and clients.
• A portable book of business is not required but may be considered favorable.

Benefits & Perks

• Benefits: F3 Law offers a supportive and intellectually engaging work environment, reasonable billable hours, annual billable hour bonuses, comprehensive health insurance benefits, and a 401(k) plan with profit‑sharing contributions.
• Hybrid position with an expectation of working in the office approximately one day per week.
• Part‑time and reduced schedules will be considered for qualified candidates.

F3 Law is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate against applicants or employees because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, citizenship status, various ability status, genetic information, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression of an otherwise qualified individual, or membership in any other class protected by applicable law. F3 Law hires and promotes individuals based on their qualifications for the job to be filled.

F3 Law seeks to build a culturally diverse staff where differences are valued and respected. Women, minorities, individuals with various abilities, veterans, LGBTQ+ and intersectional individuals are encouraged to apply.