General Counsel at Palo Alto Unified School District
Job Summary
Job Summary
OVERVIEW: Under the direction of the Board of Education, General Counsel provides proactive legal services to the Board of Education,the Superintendent of Schools, and District administration. ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES: (include, but not limited to, the following) • Provide legal expertise, information, and assistance to the Board and the Superintendent on issues including Board Governance, the Public Meeting Laws, the Public Records Act, California Education Code, Education Law and public meeting protocols. • Attend all Board meetings. • Assist in the formulation and development of policies, procedures, and programs. Advise the Board and the Superintendent of legal trends or potential problems and recommend appropriate action. • Confer with, advise, and render legal opinions to the District as may be requested as well as on a proactive basis to assure that the District is in compliance with all laws. • Remain current regarding developments in school law. Review and interpret laws, regulations, legislation, rules, and other guidelines and present the information to the District staff. Recommend appropriate course of action based on analysis of applicable statutes and regulations affecting public education. • Assure that the District’s interests are properly advanced and protected in all administrative hearings and litigation, both trial and appellate. • Evaluate cases and, when necessary, recommend outside counsel if specific skills and/or expertise are needed and retaining legal specialist is needed. Monitor the quality of the work of outside counsel and review and approve billings from outside counsel. • Represent the District in mediation as necessary. • Advise the Board in all hearings and appeals. • Review or draft agenda agreements and contracts. Prepare and review a variety of legal documents. • Conduct investigations concerning any matter as directed by the Board or Superintendent and prepare reports of the investigations. • Conduct i