Legal Advisor

Responsibilities

• Advises the Superintendent of Boston Public Schools, the School Committee, and BPS leadership on a broad range of legal matters, including employment, contracts, procurement, school law, and real property matters.
• Advises BPS leadership on implementing and drafting new policies, procedures, or methods of performing departmental work and responding to changing legal, technological, or practical conditions and departmental needs.
• Supervises an office of eight attorneys, paralegals, and staff in their litigation, contract review, contract negotiation, and departmental advising.
• Provides direct hands-on support for high-profile negotiations, complicated procurements, and RFPs; and, in concert with the Business Office, enforces contract terms to ensure compliance by all vendors.
• Appears in federal and state courts on behalf of the City of Boston on select high-priority cases.
• Participates in developing strategies for motions, trials, and settlements of cases.
• Reviews and provides feedback on attorneys’ written work.
• Oversees public records requests, subpoenas, student record requests, and other discovery matters.
• Implements standard contract and litigation processes for the Division, creating a culture of compliance in spending public funds.
• Conducts annual performance evaluations of direct reports.
• Performs related work as required.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor.
• At least nine (9) years of experience as a lawyer in a law firm or government legal office.
• Significant civil litigation experience, including experience with discovery and trial work.
• Admission to the Massachusetts Bar and current active registration status with the Board of Bar Overseers (BBO).
• Ability to organize, manage, and supervise litigation matters.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and focus on detail.
• Ability to manage a staff of attorneys and support staff.
• Accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Experience in education, employment, or government is a plus.

Benefits

Terms: Union/MM2-15 Hours per week: 35 Hybrid schedule