General Counsel, Exempt RB #25-558

Buffalo Public Schools•Buffalo, NY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Buffalo Board of Education is seeking a General Counsel, an Exempt position, to provide legal advice and counsel to the Superintendent of Schools, executive staff, principals, administrative staff, and the Board of Education. This role involves advising on district policies and procedures, representing the district before administrative agencies and in court, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations. The General Counsel will also formulate research and suggest amendments to Board of Education policies, advise on student disciplinary matters, investigate emerging issues and legislation, develop legal strategies, and ensure compliance with applicable laws, policies, and negotiated agreements. Additionally, the role includes analyzing and establishing training programs for compliance, coordinating advice from Corporation Counsel and outside counsel, conducting legal research, investigating and researching requests for legal decisions, interpreting laws and regulations, representing the District in adversary proceedings, assisting with and representing the district in disciplinary cases, representing the District in proceedings regarding students' rights, preparing and presenting arguments in judicial and administrative proceedings, trying discipline and other matters, negotiating and preparing legal documents, and reviewing/responding to subpoenas and information requests. The position is located at City Hall – Buffalo, NY 14202.

Requirements

At least five years of full-time experience in the practice of education and/or public employment/labor law, after graduation from a recognized Law School
Possession of Juris Doctor Degree from a recognized Law School
Possession of a current license to practice law in New York State or eligible for license in New York State
Admission to practice law in any United States District Court

Responsibilities

Renders legal advice and counsel to the Superintendent of Schools and executive staff
Advises principals and other administrative staff, where necessary and appropriate
Provides advice and counsel to the Board of Education where appropriate
Provides consultation and written memoranda about application of district policies and procedures to situations at all levels of operations
Represents the Superintendent of Schools and/or the Board of Education before administrative agencies, or in court
Establish, publicize and participate in implementation of systems and strategies to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and policies
Ensures that the roles and responsibilities of all legal counsel are implemented in accordance with the school system’s policies and procedures
Formulate research and suggest amendments to Board of Education policies with legal implications pertinent to all aspects of district operations
Advises school based and central office staff in student disciplinary matters
Investigate and research emerging issues and legislation with legal and/or policy implications and advise the Superintendent and Board of Education, ensuring a high level of confidentiality
Develops legal strategies for district departments and groups as needed to ensure timely, complete provision of legal advice
Ensures that all managers and supervisors comply with applicable laws, policies and negotiated agreements
Analyzes and establishes training programs to promote compliance with applicable policies and procedures
Coordinates the advice sought by the administration from the Corporation Counsel and/or outside counsel
Conducts legal research of statutes, decisions, opinions and other legal sources in order to respond, both orally and in writing, to requests for legal decisions and opinions
Investigates and researches requests and inquiries from department staff and prepares legal decisions and opinions; consults with department personnel regularly
Interprets pertinent laws, rules, regulations, procedures, etc
Represents the District in all stages of adversary proceedings, including labor grievances, civil rights complaints, appeals to the Board of Education and State Board of Education matters
Assists staff in the preparation of disciplinary cases and represents the school district in those matters
Represents the District in administrative and judicial proceedings regarding students’ rights under federal and state laws concerning Students with Disabilities
Prepares and presents arguments at judicial and administrative proceedings, prepares findings, orders or decisions in areas ranging from employee disciplinary actions to compliance with statutory regulations
Tries discipline and other matters by preparing opening statements and summations, arguing motions, examining witnesses, consulting with parties to the proceeding, examining evidence, preparing briefs, negotiating settlements, preparing appeals and advising superiors
Negotiates and prepares various legal documents, i.e. contracts, agreements and other legal instruments, with outside parties
Reviews and responds to subpoenas and information requests from the public and other government agencies
Performs related legal services as assigned by the Superintendent of Schools