Deputy General Counsel
Job Description
The Deputy General Counsel is responsible to provide representation to the legal matters impacting the Douglas County School District RE-1 (the “District”) providing full time, direct professional legal counsel and representation to the Board of Education, Superintendent, Cabinet and senior staff and other District employees as appropriate to the legal matter(s) impacting the District.
Required Qualifications:
At least seven years professional experience in the practice of law which includes experience representing education entities regarding general school law issues and/or experience representing corporate or public entities with respect to constitutional, employment, or public sector law issues, and/or other comparable legal experience.
At least seven years professional experience in the practice of law which includes experience representing education entities regarding general school law issues and/or experience representing corporate or public entities with respect to constitutional, employment, or public sector law issues, and/or other comparable legal experience.
Experience and skill in conducting litigation before administrative agencies and courts.
Responsibilities:
Manage or support e-discovery and other discovery in support of pending litigation brought against the district.
Conduct legal research and review/investigate matters in various areas of District operations to assist departments in making legally defensible decisions.
Review and revise Board and Superintendent File District policies and procedures to assure compliance with state and federal laws and provide legal advice regarding compliant implementation, including consultation with and memoranda to the District’s Board of Education, Superintendent and other District stakeholders.
Develop and provide legal training to District administrators on various legal topics concerning practical application of the law and policy obligations to job responsibilities of administrators, teachers and staff.
Maintain competence and render legal advice and representation in areas of school law appropriate to legal work assigned, including but not limited to: federal and state labor and employment laws such as Title VII, FMLA, ADA, FLSA; the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA); Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act; Family Education Rights to Privacy Act (FERPA); Colorado’s Sunshine and Public Records Law; federal and state laws applicable to student rights, responsibilities and discipline; student and employee speech (First Amendment), educational accountability and the education programs of the District; facilities use; and the Colorado Charter Schools Act.
Investigate and research emerging issues with legal and/or policy implications for the District and advice the Superintendent accordingly.
Maintain files and retrieval systems of legal information consistent with District policy and procedures as appropriate.
Provide oral and/or written legal opinions and give legal advice to the School Board, Superintendent and other departmental and school site administrators on legal questions pertaining to the business of the District, including legal issues involving students, staff and the community.
Direct, coordinate, and/or represent the School District in litigation, suits or actions instituted by or against the School District, the Board of Education, school administrators, and/or employees, including suits filed in state or federal court or administrative agencies.
Prepare or approve as to form contracts and intergovernmental agreements entered into on behalf of the School District.
Perform other duties as assigned or requested.
Certifications:
Licensed Active Attorney – Colorado Supreme Court
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree (Required), Doctorate Degree (Required)
