Senior General Counsel, Tort Litigation

Tort Litigation

Directs, oversees and manages lawsuits arising from the sexual abuse exception to immunity under the Pennsylvania Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act and other areas of litigation as needed.

Develops and implements District-wide litigation strategy consistent with current legal opinions and expert analysis.

Provides counsel and guidance to the General Counsel, School District Administration and Board of Education on matters related to litigation, including the sexual abuse exception, developing strategies to minimize liability and monitoring compliance with policies directed towards identifying and eliminating the sexual abuse of students.

Represents the School District, the Board of Education and District officers and employees in varied transactions and litigation.

Serves as a key contributor and handles the most complex legal issues; provides assessments and solutions which are optimal for the School District and the Board of Education.

Leads, supports and trains Assistant General Counsel, Associate General Counsel and staff on matters in the areas of litigation.

Conducts District-wide professional development to encourage effective and efficient management controls; participates in and facilitates seminars to effect positive dialogue and relations in school legal matters.

Participates in the planning and implementation of programs and activities in the Office of General Counsel.

Prevents legal claims by identifying potential risks and making appropriate recommendations.

Defends lawsuits and claims by discussing matters with opposing counsel, filing necessary legal papers, conducting extensive discovery proceedings, meeting with and preparing the testimony of witnesses, trying cases or arranging settlements in the best interest of the School District.

Advises employees by providing legal advice to supervisors and administrators on a daily basis and by issuing legal opinions when requested.

Assists in the formation of School District practices and procedures through committee participation.

Plans, organizes and prioritizes work to meet deadlines.

Travel as required, including to attend in person, off-site meetings and court appearances.

Minimum Requirements

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• Ten years of full-time, paid, professional legal experience in a law firm, public sector law department or corporate law department or related area relevant to the area of specialization.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of: the common law and the state and federal laws, particularly as they relate to the civil liability of political subdivisions in Pennsylvania.
• Judicial proceedings, the rules of civil procedure and of the rules of evidence.
• The principles, practices, methods and techniques of legal research.
• The uses and capabilities of personal computers and their software applications including word processing, database management and spreadsheets.
• Demonstrated ability to: analyze, organize and evaluate the evidence and procedures involving difficult and complex matters and to present such material in clear and logical form for written presentations such as memos, briefs, opinions, orders or decisions.
• Analyze legal documents and instruments.
• Draft legal instruments.
• Successfully negotiate terms and conditions of agreements.
• Manage a detail-oriented workload.
• Organize and prioritize workload during high pressure, high-volume workload periods.
• Collaborate with colleagues and District clients.
• Exercise sound judgment, discretion and tact in the context of litigation and legal counseling.
• Handle matters outside areas of immediate familiarity.
• Manage stress, and handle multiple concurrent tasks.
• Maintain a sense of humor and camaraderie with colleagues.
• Review and process information through electronic systems throughout the workday.
• Express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.
• E stablish and maintain effective working relationships.