Title: Associate General Counsel, Torts

Department: General Counsel

Reports To: Deputy General Counsel, Labor and Employment

Union: This Position is Not Represented by a Union

Salary Range: $107,655 - $132,713

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 198,000 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 legal advice and representation to Board of Education and the School District of Philadelphia and its employees on a wide array of legal issues. Oversees projects and develops innovative strategies to resolve legal challenges. Provides guidance to and oversees work performed by less senior counsel. Works under the supervision of the Senior General Counsel and specializes in litigation, claims, and labor and employment matters.

Essential Functions -Tort Litigation

• 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.
• 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.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

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

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of:

o judicial proceedings and of the rules of evidence as related to the area of specialization.

o the principles, practices, methods and techniques of legal research.

• 
  Demonstrated ability to:

o analyze legal documents and instruments.

o organize and prioritize workload during high pressure, high-volume workload periods.

o collaborate with colleagues and District clients.

o exercise sound judgment, discretion and tact required.

o review and process information within a computerized web system throughout the majority of the workday.

o travel as required.

o express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.

o 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.

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