General Counsel

About the role

The successful candidate will lead the Office of Law in providing legal support to the Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS).

Responsibilities

• Serves as the Baltimore County Public Schools system’s primary legal advisor.
• Provides leadership, planning, and direction for the Office of Law to ensure their support of and alignment with the system-wide goals and priorities.
• Plans, directs, supervises, and evaluates attorneys, paralegals, and other staff.
• Covers the work of outside counsel and coordinates the work of the Law Office with the programs and activities of other departments and local, state, and federal agencies.
• Presents advice and counsel to the Superintendent, school administrators, and others regarding a variety of legal issues.
• Assists the school system in compliance with and creation of Board of Education Policies and Superintendent Rules.
• Responds to and directs the school system’s response to complaints such as those filed with state and federal administrative agencies.
• Represents the Baltimore County Public Schools in arbitrations, administrative hearings and in judicial proceedings.
• Represents BCPS at meetings, public hearings, and conferences.
• Negotiates settlement agreements.
• Reviews legislation, judicial decisions, and state and federal agency opinions.
• Keeps current with pertinent legislation, regulations, and case law involving students, public employees and public bodies.
• Prepares witnesses, presents arguments, and provides representation to the school system.

Qualifications

• Possession of a juris doctorate degree from an accredited law school.
• Ten years of professional experience in the practice of law which includes experience with legal issues involving public schools, students’ rights, including the rights of students with disabilities, litigation, labor arbitration, settlement, and administrative hearings.
• Experience supervising professional and administrative staff.
• Admission to the Bar of Maryland.