Associate General Counsel II

Los Angeles Unified School District

4d • $248,632 - $264,715

About The Position

We are LAUSD. We are at the forefront of innovation in public education, focused on a clear and inspiring vision of the future for all of our students as they venture forward on their journey as lifelong learners. Here, you will have the opportunity to exercise your potential in a role supporting the business of education. Our work directly contributes toward the goal of ensuring that our students graduate ready for the world – ready to thrive in college, career and life. LAUSD is the second largest school district in the nation with an enrollment of over 500,000 students. We serve an area totaling 710 square miles, with over 1,190 schools and educational centers, and we employ over 74,000 individuals, making us one of the largest employers in our city.

The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) is an ethical, high performance legal department with high professional standards and integrity that provides first class legal service to the teachers, supervisors and administrators who support the District's 500,000 plus students whom we educate. Our mission is to use our specialized experiences, knowledge and skills to support and advance the LAUSD. We provide effective and proactive legal advice and quality representation while creating an ethical environment in support of a high quality learning environment for all students.

Requirements

• PROMOTIONAL STATUS IS REQUIRED: You must be a current or retired employee of LAUSD with 130 paid days in regular status in the Classified Service or permanent status in the Certificated Service or have been laid off within the past 39 months from a regular, permanent LAUSD position in which you passed probation.
• Graduation from a recognized college or university with a bachelor’s degree and a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited institution or an institution accredited by the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California; a J.D. degree from an ABA accredited institution is preferred.
• Eight years of experience as a practicing member of the Bar.
• Authorization to practice law in California by the California State Bar Association.
• A valid driver’s license to legally operate a motor vehicle in the State of California and the use of a motor vehicle.

Nice To Haves

• The ideal candidate is an experienced legal leader with strong management skills and the ability to lead a large team of attorneys and legal professionals. They serve as chief legal counsel for assigned practice areas, providing strategic advice on complex, high-profile matters. They are adept in providing sound legal advice to leadership in complex, high stakes situations and meeting deadlines in a high-volume work environment.
• The ideal candidate will also excel at directing and coordinating the work of attorneys, paralegals, support staff, and outside counsel to ensure high-quality legal services. They partner with District client units to provide proactive guidance and coordinate legal strategies that support operational goals. With a strategic approach, the candidate improves service efficiency, manages legal costs, reduces litigation risk, and protects the District’s interests.

Responsibilities

• Acts as the chief legal counsel over a specific area(s) of practice for the District.
• Directs, coordinates, and supervises the legal work of a team of lawyers, paralegals, support staff, and outside counsel.
• Provides legal advice on complicated, high profile, or high exposure matters, including on labor contracts, to Board Members, the Superintendent, and senior management.
• Coordinates legal work with and provides legal advice to client organizational units of the District.
• Develops a strategic plan for the client unit to ensure timely, complete provision of legal advice; reduce legal costs and amounts of legal judgments or settlements; and maximize opportunities for a unit.
• Devises and implements overall legal strategies for client units.
• Provides training and evaluates team members.
• Assists in the planning and development of legal policy and office procedures and processes.
• Assists division administrators with the administration of a division legal budget.
• Responds to directives.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Insurance: Paid premiums for your choice of several medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans.
• Retirement: Membership in the California Public Employee Retirement System (CalPERS).
• Vacation: 24 days per year.
• Paid Holidays: 13 days.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level