Senior General Counsel, Tort Litigation

PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL DISTRICT; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 112,000 - 146,000; Full time

Job summary

The Philadelphia School District seeks a Senior General Counsel (Labor and Employment, Litigation) to lead a wide range of legal matters, primarily representing the District in litigation and managing outside counsel.

The attorney will advise the Board and District leadership, focus on tort litigation with emphasis on the sexual abuse exception to governmental immunity, and support broader litigation across departments.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• Ten years of full-time, paid, professional legal experience.
• Experience in public sector law or governmental litigation preferred.

Responsibilities

• Directly handles, oversees and manages lawsuits under the Pennsylvania Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act and other areas of litigation as needed.
• Provides counsel to the General Counsel, Board of Education, and District leadership on litigation matters.
• Represents the School District and District officers in varied transactions and litigation.
• Leads, supports and trains staff on matters in the areas of litigation.
• Plans, organizes and prioritizes work to meet deadlines.
• Travels as required for court appearances and meetings.

Skills

Tort litigation

Legal counsel leadership

Civil procedure knowledge

Appellate experience

Communication skills

Education

Juris Doctor

Job description

Title: Senior General Counsel (Labor and Employment, Litigation)

Department: General Counsel

Reports To: General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel

Union: Not Represented by a Union

Salary Range: $111,985 - $145,866

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 leadership on a wide variety of legal issues in the area of tort litigation, with a primary focus on directly representing the District in litigation, overseeing and managing outside counsel and training and supporting litigation attorneys. Oversees projects and develops innovative strategies to resolve legal challenges. Provides legal advice and representation to the Board of Education and the School District of Philadelphia and its employees. Works under the supervision of the Deputy General Counsel and specializes in torts, with a focus on the sexual abuse exception to governmental immunity under the Pennsylvania Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act. Provides support and counsel, as needed, in other areas of litigation, including commercial litigation, civil rights, environmental, employment and labor.

Essential Functions

• Directly handles, oversees and manages lawsuits arising from the sexual abuse exception to immunity to under the Pennsylvania Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act and other areas of litigation as needed, and develops and implements District-wide litigation strategy consistent with current legal opinions and expert analysis.
• Provides counsel and guidance to the General Counsel, School District Administration and Board of Education on matters related to litigation, including the sexual abuse exception, develops strategies to minimize liability and monitors compliance with policies directed towards identifying and eliminating the sexual abuse of students.
• Represents the School District, the Board of Education and District officers and employees in varied transactions and litigation.
• Serves as a key contributor and handles the most 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, Associate General Counsel and staff on matters in the areas of litigation.
• Conducts District wide professional development to encourage effective and efficient management controls; participates in and facilitates seminars to effect positive dialogue and relations in school legal matters.
• Participates in the planning and implementation of programs and activities in the Office of General Counsel.
• 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, 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 supervisors 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.
• 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.
• Plans, organizes and prioritizes work to meet deadlines.
• Travel as required, including to attend in person, off-site meetings and court appearances.

Minimum Requirements

• All Specialties
• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• Ten years of full-time, paid, professional legal experience in a law firm, public sector law department or corporate law department or related area relevant to the area of specialization.
• All work experience related to the position must be included on the resume.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Tort Litigation Specialty

• Demonstrated knowledge of:
  • t he common law s and the state and federal laws, particularly as they relate to the civil liability of political subdivisions in Pennsylvania.
  • j udicial proceedings, the rules of civil procedure and of the rules of evidence.
  • t he principles, practices, methods and techniques of legal research.
  • t he uses and capabilities of personal computers and their software applications including word processing, database management and spreadsheets.
• Demonstrated ability to:
  • analyze, organize and evaluate the evidence and procedures involving difficult and complex matters and to present such material in clear and logical form for written presentations such as memos, briefs, opinions, orders or decisions.
  • analyze legal documents and instruments.
  • draft legal instruments.
  • successfully negotiate terms and conditions of agreements.
  • manage a detail-oriented workload.
  • organize and prioritize workload during high pressure, high-volume workload periods.
  • collaborate with colleagues and District clients.
  • exercise sound judgment, discretion and tact in the context of litigation and legal counseling.
  • handle matters outside areas of immediate familiarity.
  • manage stress, and handle multiple concurrent tasks.
  • maintain a sense of humor and camaraderie with colleagues.
  • review and process information through electronic systems throughout the workday.
  • express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.
  • 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.

Certificates/Licenses

• Certificate of admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, active member in good standing, and compliance with the most recently completed twelve-month Continuing Legal Education compliance period.
• OR Eligible for admission to the Pennsylvania Bar within six months of employment and an active member in good standing and currently licensed to practice law in another state and in compliance with the most recently completed Continuing Legal Education compliance period.
• Admitted, or ability to be admitted within two months of employment, to practice in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.