ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY

About the role

Ensures practices, policies, and dealings of the District meet legal and regulatory requirements to protect the organization from legal action and to defend the District when legal action is taken. Provides counsel to District leaders on assigned areas such as labor and employment, special education, student safety, implementation of the Consent Decree for English Language Learners, and/or operations and business management. Works closely with the Deputy General Counsel or General Counsel in the assigned area.

Responsibilities

• Develops legal strategies and provides legal advice and counsel for client groups and District leaders as needed to assure the District’s compliance with applicable rules, policies, procedures, practices, and laws
• Performs legal research and provides verbal and written analysis that also considers District policies, procedures, and practices
• Independently drafts or works with other Deputy General Counsel or General Counsel on written work product, including pleadings, briefs, and legal research memoranda
• Responds to directives from Deputy General Counsel and General Counsel
• Develops and builds consensus and resolves conflict
• Represents the District in adversarial meetings, hearings, and court proceedings (e.g. meeting where parent is represented by counsel or advocate, labor and employment arbitrations, and teacher dismissal hearings)
• Affords assistance in the planning and development of policy, procedures, and processes for the District, assigned client groups, and the legal department in order to optimize efficiency, address areas of legal risk, and address the diverse needs of client groups
• Develops and conducts trainings for assigned client groups

Requirements

• Minimum of Juris Doctor degree from an American Bar Association accredited institution
• 2+ years of relevant experience in labor and employment law, laws governing special education, federal education law, civil rights and constitutional law, student-data privacy laws, transactional and operations experience working with government entities, or other experience with non-profit entities supporting public interest
• Valid Colorado license to practice law at time of hire

Qualifications

Lead for racial and educational excellence and work to dismantle systems of oppression and inequity in our community, along with believing in and supporting all students so they feel seen and heard with access to high quality education. Live and work with a permanent home address in Colorado while working with us. Have the ability with or without accommodations to meet the physical demands of the position.

Skills

Must have the ability to meet the physical demands of the position. Must live and work with a permanent home address in Colorado while working with us.

Benefits

In addition to competitive compensation, DPS has other Total Reward offerings such as; time off, health and wellness benefits, and PERA Retirement.

Pay

$87,203 - $106,806 Annually.

Schedule

N/A