FY27: Assistant General Counsel- Special Education Focus

Summary Description

Under general supervision of the Chief of Legal Services, this position provides high-quality legal counsel and representation for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), and serves as a legal adviser on a wide variety of matters, including education, students' rights, civil rights, employment, real estate, local government, procurement, contract, or tort law. Participates and supports the legal director in litigation cases; advises and/or engages stakeholders, district leaders, and MCPS employees on various legal matters as needed. Oversees work of legal support positions as needed.

Physical Demands

None

Special Requirements

Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed.

Job Specific Information

• Primarily responsible for providing legal counsel and representation in special education matters.
• Ensures compliance with federal laws like the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
• Provides daily advice and regular training to schools and central office partners on special education law; due process litigation defense; participation in mediation; drafting settlement agreements; review and revision of special education policy, regulation, and practices.

Wage Range

$130,899 - $182,217

Job Specific Duties

• Develops and maintains strong working relationships with MCPS employees and managers at all levels, as well as external attorneys and law firms, parents, government leaders, and community stakeholders.
• Interacts with diverse constituencies and conveys complicated information with tact and diplomacy.
• Multi-tasks, prioritizes changing assignments, organizes busy workload, meets deadlines, and works well under pressure, while exercising excellent attention to detail.
• Performs well under pressure and adheres to strict timelines.

Qualifications

• Possession of a Juris doctorate degree from an accredited law school, plus a minimum of five (5) years of recent progressively more responsible professional experience in public or private sector practice of law, preferably which deals with public school legal issues.
• Experience in settlement resolution/negotiations and public litigation.

Skills

• Thorough knowledge of legal principles and their application, and expertise in one or more of the following areas of legal practice: education law including student rights, education, civil rights, employment law, litigation, procurement, real estate, local government, tort and/or contract law.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• Legal research and presentation skills.
• Independent decision-making and critical analysis.
• Ability to work under pressure and adhere to strict timelines.

Education & Training

• Member of the Maryland State Bar.
• Minimum of a Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school.
• Minimum of five (5) years of recent progressively more responsible professional experience in public or private sector practice of law, preferably dealing with public school legal issues.

Benefits

To learn more about benefits, please visit the following link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nCKtJEqy4w4SLTzmvmVXgE8hPfOBolkb/view