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

Department: General Counsel

Reports To: General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel

Union: This position is NOT represented by a union

Salary Range: $115,345 - 178,392

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 legal advice and representation to the Board of Education, The School District of Philadelphia, and employees on a wide array of legal issues. Works under the supervision of the General Counsel with a focus on, but not limited to, labor and employment issues and litigation. Provides leadership within the Office of General Counsel and collaborates with litigation and labor and employment attorneys (including Senior General Counsel, labor and litigation lead) on a wide variety of legal issues involving litigation and other areas. Specializes in labor and employment counseling and litigation, with willingness and flexibility to assist in other areas (primarily tort, commercial, and plus civil rights). Oversees projects and develops risk mitigation and litigation strategies to preempt and resolve challenges. Responsible for training, providing experience and feedback, and furthering the professional development or other attorneys and staff.

Essential Functions

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  Represents and provides legal advice and counsel to the School District, the Board of Education, District leadership, and other District officers and employees on a wide range of education, labor and employment, litigation, risk mitigation, and business and operational issues.
• Prevents and positions to defend legal claims by identifying potential risks and making reasoned recommendations.
• Defends law suits and claims by developing strategy, collaborating on approach within OGC and with other offices.
• Oversees outside counsel.
• Discusses and negotiates matters with opposing counsel.
• Handles all phases of legal disputes, including preparing and filing necessary legal papers, appearing in court (state and federal; trial and appellate level) and administrative forums, participating in mediation and arbitration, conducting extensive discovery proceedings, meeting with and preparing the testimony of witnesses, oral argument, trying cases, and arranging settlements in the best interest of the School District.
• Provides legal advice concerning collective bargaining agreements, human resources and employment matters.
• Represents the District in labor arbitrations and in employment discrimination cases before administrative agencies and in court.
• Participates in labor negotiations and strategy and provides counsel to the Office of Talent and other offices regarding labor and employment issues.
• Provides legal advice and counsel to Board members, officers and employees on a wide range of education, labor and employment, litigation and business issues.
• Advises employees by providing legal advice to principals and administrators on a daily basis and by issuing legal and compliance assessments, opinions, and risk analysis.
• Assists in the formation of School District practices, procedures, and policies.
• Initiates and maintains policies and procedures for claims handling and settlement; recommends changes in policy, procedures and methodology to improve current systems and organizations.
• Directs and oversees investigations of liability claims and negotiates settlements of claims.
• Serves as a key contributor and handles the most complex legal issues, and provides assessments and solutions which are optimal for the School District and the Board of Education.
• Leads, supports and trains Associate and Assistant General Counsel staff on matters in the area of specialization and on particular subject areas.
• Participates in the planning and implementation of programs and activities in the Office of General Counsel.
• Conducts OGC and Districtwide training and professional development to encourage effective and efficient management controls and participates in and facilitates seminars to effect positive dialogue and relations in school legal matters.
• Initiates and maintains policies and procedures for claims handling and settlement; recommends changes in policy, procedures and methodology to improve current systems and organizations.
• Pursues indemnification and other claims through affirmative litigation and negotiation.
• Collects, analyzes, presents, and uses data.
• Prepares progress reports on the status and disposition of matters filed by or against the School District.
• Advices District personnel on risk management, investigations and contracts involving release and indemnity issues
• Represents the District in litigation in federal and state courts involving disputes arising from commercial transactions, including alleged breach of contract, payment disputes, collection actions and construction litigation.
• Assists in the formation of School District practices and procedures through committee participation in such areas as loss control, insurance, needs of the School District by meeting with School District insurance committees, as needed.
• Represents the District in actions it initiates against vendors, consultants and contractors for breach of contract, fraud and similar claims.

Other Functions

• May be responsible for approving the purchase of insurance policies and administering the School District’s self-insurance program for automobile liability, general liability, property claims and Workers’ Compensation.
• May assist School District departments in the preparation of bid specifications, and in all legal problems that arise in the course of their activities; meets with representatives of these departments on an as needed basis.
• Counsels District governance, leadership and program offices on central office and school level issues.
• Counsels various levels of school personnel and administration concerning issues affecting individual, groups of, and all students or staff.
• Participates in evaluation and improvement of, development of, training regarding, and compliance with systems, practices, policies, and procedures in OGC and throughout the District as appropriate.
• Interacts professionally and respectfully with District personnel, contractors, partners, parents and guardians, representatives of other governmental and social services bodies and agencies, for and not-for-profit entities, opposing counsel, and advocacy groups.
• Maintains the utmost confidentiality and protects information from improper disclosure.
• Handles a heavy and varied work load under pressure, and plans, organizes and prioritizes work to meet deadlines.
• Participates in OGC committees.
• Utilizes and adapts to new technologies and platforms.
• Commits to participate in the development and practice of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and practices within OGC and the District at large.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

• 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.

Certificates/Licenses All Specialties

• Certificate of admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and membership in good standing, with no delinquency in the most recently completed 12-month Continuing Legal Education compliance period; or eligible for admission to or reactivation for the Pennsylvania Bar within six months of employment and are an active member in good standing and currently licensed to practice law in another U.S. jurisdiction.
• Admission to practice in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and Third Circuit Court of Appeals preferred.
• All work experience related to the position must be included on the resume.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of: o common laws and the state and federal laws particularly as they relate to administrative, fiscal and regulatory functions of the School District.

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

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

o principles and practices of governmental laws.

o uses and capabilities of personal computers and their software applications including word processing, database management and spreadsheets.

• Demonstrated ability to: o analyze, organize and evaluate evidence and procedures involving difficult and complex matters and present such material in clear and logical form for all written presentations such as memos, briefs, opinions, orders or decisions.

o analyze legal documents and instruments.

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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