Senior Legal Assistant

Seattle Public Schools; Washington; On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Seattle Public Schools seeks a paralegal assistant to support the General Counsel and attorneys. The role blends traditional paralegal duties with serving as a public records officer under the Washington Public Records Act, in-person at the John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence.

The position is full-time and located at the primary site, requiring coordination with district staff, outside counsel, and various departments.

Qualifications

• Maintains knowledge of Washington Public Records Act, FERPA, Court Rules, and related laws.

Responsibilities

• Maintains documents and supports litigation discovery.
• Assists with Public Records Act requests and related staff outreach.
• Coordinates with outside counsel and district staff for document collection.
• Drafts subpoenas, letters, and pleadings; manages court deadlines.
• Tracks Special Education matters and related complaints.

Skills

Public records laws

FERPA knowledge

Confidentiality

Litigation support

Communication

Job description

Overview of Position

Provides paralegal assistance to the General Counsel and other attorneys in the office. Duties are divided between performing traditional paralegal duties and serving as a public records officer under the Washington Public Records Act.

This position is the first level of career progression of two paralegal positions. Progression to the second level requires a broad range of skills across the full range of job duties assigned. This is a full-time, in-person position. The primary work location for this role is the John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence.

Essential Functions

70%

• Production of Documents& Litigation Support
  • Maintains current knowledge of Washington Public Records Act, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Court Rules, and applicable laws/case law.
  • Ensures the confidentiality and integrity of information.
• Public Records
  • Assists with searches and staff outreach related to Public Records Act requests.
  • Reviews documents for responsiveness, privilege, confidentiality, FERPA, and statutory exemptions.
• Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act Records
  • Assists in coordinating, gathering, and reviewing student education records in response to FERPA requests.
• Litigation Discovery & Investigations
  • Acts as lead staff person for obtaining documents related to discovery requests in consultation with, and at the direction of, outside legal counsel.
  • Drafts legal letters, documents, and pleadings; coordinates responses to interrogatories and requests for production; drafts objections; and monitors and adheres to court-ordered timelines.
  • Coordinates with outside counsel or investigators as necessary.
  • Coordinates communications, interviews, meetings, and document collection between District staff and outside counsel.
  • Drafts and issues litigation hold requests to District staff.
• Special Education Matters
  • Tracks and maintains a log of all special education legal matters and settlements.
  • Assists with responses to Special Education Community Complaints, OSPI investigations, and U.S. Department of Education complaints.
  • Compiles and organizes information, agendas, and other materials for meetings, including Special Education Legal Roundtable.

30%

• Paralegal/Legal Assistant
  • Serves as paralegal/legal assistant to the General Counsel and other attorneys.
  • Receives and screens telephone calls, visitors and correspondence. Responds to inquiries or refers them to various departments as appropriate.
  • Prepares materials for trials, arbitrations and personnel hearings.
  • Compiles and organizes information and materials for attorneys’ meetings.
  • Prepares litigation reports and arbitration summaries.
  • Coordinates claim and lawsuit settlement payments.
  • Processes law firm invoices as assigned.
  • Assists with drafting letters of restriction for District schools and programs.
  • Prepares documents for hearings and assists with issuing decision letters as needed.
  • Prioritizes and schedules matters requiring the attorney’s attention.
  • Takes minutes of meetings if necessary.
  • Communicates verbally and in writing with clients, the public, or stakeholders as necessary, to perform the essential job duties.

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

• May perform related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position.

RELEVANT COMPETENCIES

Accountability

Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely and cost- effective results; determines objectives, sets