Additional responsibilities include:
1. Provides consultation and guidance on legal issues to school directors, administrators, school solicitors, government agencies and legislative staff and others as requested.
2. Researches, writes, edits and reviews content for PSBA legal and non-legal publications, handbooks, and outside publications.
3. Contributes to publication of the School Law EDition bi-weekly e-newsletter, communicating significant court opinions, arbitration decisions and other content to member solicitors and superintendents.
4. If applicable, represents PSBA before appellate courts via the association’s judicial advocacy program, evaluating and preparing recommendations for cases suitable for participation in appeals or litigation, writing amicus curiae briefs expressing PSBA positions, and delivering oral argument as appropriate.
5. Contributes legal support for PSBA policy services, ensuring that development of new and updated policy guides and associated information benefit from legal review and analysis.
6. Monitors and identifies emerging legal issues and other legal developments of potential importance to governance and legal risk management for PSBA member entities and their boards of directors. Collaborates with other legal staff and outside general counsel on complex legal matters at the direction of the Chief Legal Officer.
7. Researches, drafts and provides legal information, guidance and opinions, in support of all PSBA services groups. Provides internal legal support for negotiation and review of contracts and similar legal documents framing PSBA business relationships with vendors and other external entities.
8. Contributes to the development and delivery of continuing legal education for local school district counsel, legal issue education for school directors, and production of various legal reference and legal update publications.
9. Assists with the professional development and supervision of student externs from local law schools.
10. Maintains a high level of expertise in areas of law such as administrative law, employment law, labor relations, governmental financial administration, state and federal civil rights laws, student discipline, student and employee free speech and due process rights, rights of students and employees with disabilities, public agency procurement, municipal taxation, open meetings law, public records access law, liability risk management, state and federal tort immunity, unemployment compensation, contracts, state and federal education funding, and legislative analysis and drafting.
Qualifications:
- Law degree from an accredited law school and admission to practice in Pennsylvania or ability to secure admission to practice before Pennsylvania courts within six months of date of hire.
- Minimum of three to five years’ legal experience, concentrated in school law or specialty areas of law, or demonstrating a skill set directly related to the work of this position.
- Highly effective communicator, both orally and in writing, with excellent public speaking and teaching skills; ability to interact professionally, authoritatively, and effectively with others.
- Maintains highest standards of legal proficiency and ethics. Commitment to teamwork and the ability to develop trust and demonstrate integrity. Must possess strong strategic thinking, analytical/critical thinking, and decision-making skills.
- Must have the ability to take initiative, work with confidential information and demonstrate good judgment and discretion.
- Strong organizational, planning and time management skills in a busy work environment requiring management of multiple priorities and ability to shift priorities to meet needs of organization.
- Extensive legal research skills, including proficiency with Westlaw and/or Lexis. Proficiency with office computer applications for word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation (PowerPoint).
Join our team
PSBA is always looking for talented individuals to join our team. If you are interested in the role outlined above and believe you meet the requirements, please complete the form below and a member of our team will be in touch.