Deputy General Counsel

Charles County Public Schools•La Plata, MD

About The Position

Under the direction of the Superintendent of Schools and the General Counsel, the Deputy General Counsel serves as a deputy legal advisor to Charles County Public Schools (CCPS). The role provides legal counsel to the Superintendent, executive leadership, school system administrators, and, when applicable, the Board of Education. The Deputy General Counsel assists the General Counsel with leadership and oversight of legal services and advises on employment and labor relations, special education and student services, civil rights, discrimination, harassment, Title IX, public records and open meetings, contracts and procurement, real estate, workers’ compensation, litigation, and other matters affecting school system operations. The position helps identify and evaluate legal and organizational risks, interpret federal and state laws and regulations, oversee litigation and outside counsel, and develop and review Board policies, Superintendent’s rules, procedures, contracts, and other legal documents. It also supports legal training, budget oversight, and cost-effective use of legal resources. Employment is for 12 months and exempt. The stated salary range is $149,609–$197,376. Work is primarily in an administrative office and may also take place at Board meetings, hearings, court proceedings, negotiations, school-based meetings, and other locations. Countywide and statewide travel and work outside normal business hours may be required.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
Active membership in good standing with the Maryland Bar, or active membership in good standing with another state’s bar and the ability to obtain admission to practice law in Maryland within six months as a condition of continued employment.
At least three years of progressively responsible professional legal experience, including litigation, administrative proceedings, or other experience relevant to public education.
Ability to interpret and apply statutes, regulations, case law, policies, contracts, and legal principles.
Demonstrated leadership, administrative, written and oral communication, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to effectively manage a high-volume and complex legal workload.
Knowledge of federal and Maryland laws and regulations applicable to public education.
Knowledge of labor and employment law, special education law, student rights, civil rights, contracts and procurement, administrative law, and governmental compliance.
Ability to anticipate and evaluate complex legal and organizational risks and provide practical, timely, and strategic recommendations.
Ability to communicate complex legal matters clearly to Board members, executive leadership, administrators, employees, and other stakeholders.
Ability to manage multiple high-priority matters, litigation, and deadlines.
Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise sound professional judgment, and uphold high standards of legal and professional ethics.
Ability to travel countywide and statewide and work outside normal business hours as necessary.

Nice To Haves

Experience serving as General Counsel, Chief Legal Counsel, senior legal counsel, or in a comparable leadership capacity for a public school system, governmental entity, or other complex public-sector organization.
Experience with Maryland education law and the legal and regulatory requirements applicable to Maryland public school systems.
Experience with labor and employment law, employee relations, collective bargaining, and interpretation of negotiated agreements.
Knowledge of IDEA, Section 504, student rights, and other federal and state laws affecting public education.
Experience with arbitration, mediation, administrative hearings, litigation, negotiations, and settlement of legal matters.

Responsibilities

Serve as the school system’s deputy chief legal advisor and provide legal opinions, counsel, and recommendations to the Superintendent, executive leadership, administrators, and, when applicable, the Board of Education.
Assist the General Counsel in leading and overseeing legal services, including the work of assigned legal staff and outside counsel.
Advise on labor and employment matters, including grievances, collective bargaining, negotiated agreements, employee discipline, appeals, discrimination and harassment complaints, EEOC matters, arbitration, mediation, and administrative hearings.
Provide legal counsel on special education and student matters, including IDEA, Section 504, student discipline and due process, student records, FERPA, custody matters, subpoenas, and related proceedings.
Provide legal advice and representation regarding civil rights, discrimination, harassment, Title IX, Office for Civil Rights complaints, and other state and federal administrative agency matters.
Advise the Superintendent and staff on legal appeals, including administrative and Maryland State Board of Education appeals.
Provide legal guidance on Maryland Public Information Act requests, Open Meetings Act compliance, subpoenas, discovery, and requests for school system records.
Draft, review, and advise on contracts, procurement matters, memoranda of understanding, real estate transactions, leases, and other school system agreements.
Assist the General Counsel in managing litigation, evaluating claims and legal exposure, and coordinating case strategy, settlements, outside counsel, and external legal expenditures.
Draft and review Board policies, Superintendent’s rules, procedures, and other governing documents; advise on proposed legislation and changes in federal and state law.
Monitor legal developments affecting public education and advise leadership on legal risks, compliance requirements, and potential changes to school system practices.
Provide legal guidance regarding workers’ compensation, risk management, and other claims involving the school system.
Develop and provide legal and compliance training to administrators and staff as appropriate.
Assist with development and oversight of the legal services budget and promote effective, cost-efficient use of internal and external legal resources.
Perform other work-related duties as assigned.