Deputy Legal Counsel

The Deputy Legal Counsel reports directly to and assists the Chief Legal Counsel in providing legal services and advice to the Superintendent, Board of Education, and administrators on a variety of issues including labor and employment, parental rights, constitutional issues, student discipline, and special education.

• Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school.
• Admission to practice law in Maryland, or admission and good standing in another State with the ability to obtain admission to practice law in Maryland within six months as a condition of continued employment.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience.
• Experience in interpreting and applying federal and state statutes, regulations, policies and administrative requirements.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, families, and community partners.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience advising education institutions or governmental entities regarding special education, student matters, disability rights, administrative hearings or related legal issues, including familiarity with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
• Experience in labor and employment matters, public ethics, procurement, contracts, litigation, administrative law or public records compliance.

Role Responsibilities

• Assist the Chief Legal Counsel in providing legal services and advice to the Superintendent, Board of Education, executive leadership, administrators, and staff on legal issues affecting the operation of the school system, including labor and employment, constitutional issues, student discipline, and special education.
• Drafts, reviews, negotiates, and interprets contracts, procurement documents, memoranda of understanding, interagency agreements and other legal instruments.
• Assists the Chief Legal Counsel in providing legal support to the Board of Education, including review of Board policies, governance matters, and compliance with applicable state and federal law.
• Review and research pending legislation and court decisions as to their impact on the school system and make recommendations to the Chief Legal Counsel.
• Provide legal services and litigation management on matters including but not limited to Equal Employment Opportunity Commission/Maryland Commission on Civil Rights charges, employee terminations, employee appeals, and employee grievances.
• Provide legal advice and representation regarding special education matters, including compliance with IDEA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and applicable Maryland laws and regulations.
• Advises administrators and staff regarding student eligibility, evaluations and individualized education programs, accommodations, discipline of students with disabilities, and dispute resolution.
• Represents or assists in representing the school system in special education due process hearings, mediations, complaint investigations, and appeals.
• Assist with investigations, preparing witnesses, presenting arguments, and providing representation to the school system in appeals regarding student placement, student admission, student disciplinary actions and related complaints such as those involving bus transportation and access to records; employee grievances; employee appeals and disciplinary hearings.
• Provide training for administrators on law and regulations impacting K-12 education including student discipline, student curricular and testing, Title IX, IDEA, and academic freedom and on school law, legal issues for leaders, and subjects such as bullying and harassment.
• Identifies legal risks and develops practical strategies to mitigate exposure
• Provides legal guidance regarding the Maryland Public Information Act, Open Meetings Act, student records and confidentiality requirements.
• Demonstrate courteous and professional demeanor to all stakeholders of Washington County Public Schools.