General Counsel

Position Profile: General Council – Denver Public Schools

kpcompanies is leading the search for the next General Council for Denver Public Schools. This individual will be responsible for providing vision, strategic direction, leading Ombud services and directing the activities of staff attorneys to include the development, preparation, and presentation of cases under litigation and all legal matters of the District.

THE ORGANIZATION: Denver Public Schools

Denver Public Schools is committed to meeting the educational needs of every student with great schools in every neighborhood. Our goal is to provide every child in Denver with rigorous, enriching educational opportunities from preschool through high school graduation. DPS comprises nearly 200 schools including traditional, magnet, charter, and alternative pathways schools, with an enrollment of more than 90,000 students.

DPS has become the fastest-growing school district in the country in terms of enrollment and the fastest-growing large school district in the state in terms of student academic growth.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

This position reports to the Superintendent and works collaboratively as a member of the Superintendent's Leadership Team as a values-based organization, achieving goals through our shared commitment to Students First, Integrity, Equity, Collaboration, Accountability and Fun.

This person will plan, assign and supervise the work performed in the areas of responsibility; ensure compliance with District policy and practices and appropriate federal, state and local rules and regulations. Make certain business practices and policies meet regulatory requirements to protect the organization from legal action, as well as provide counsel on legal matters and develop legal strategies for client groups as needed.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Responsible for leading multiple key functions within DPS. Directs, plans and oversees overall growth strategies.

Implements and achieves strategic plans, translates district vision into operational goals, and sets the highest standards of excellence.

Develops and builds consensus and resolves conflicts. Represents the District in adversarial meetings (e.g. where parent is represented by counsel or advocate, arbitration hearings, and employee discipline hearings).

Coordinates legal work with and provides legal advice to client organizational units of the District.

Responds to directives.

Develops legal strategies for client groups as needed

complete provision of legal advice; reduces legal costs and amounts of legal judgments or settlements and maximizes opportunities for a department.

Assists in the planning and development of policy, office procedures and processes for the Legal department to optimize efficiency and address the diverse needs of client groups.

Provides oversight for legal research database and legal software applications usage.

Provides training and evaluates legal team members’ work performance.

Assists with the development and administration of a division legal budget.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university and a Juris Doctor degree from an American Bar Association accredited institution.

Five (5) years experience as a practicing member of the Bar.

Current experience with the provisions of the Education Code, Government Code, and other state and Federal laws, rules, and regulations that govern the activities of the Denver Public School District.

3-5 years of experience in Federal education law, ethics, First Amendment, Fourth Amendment, criminal law, family law, and privacy law.

Previous experience with Special Education: Federal and state law regarding education of children with disabilities; background in litigation regarding the same is preferred.

Successful experience leading a team.

Demonstrated strong research, oral, and written skills.

Experience or familiarity with legislative drafting; Federal and state provisions for funding K-12 schools, including construction and categorical programs and grants.

Experience in one or more of the following:

Facilities: Real estate transactions, Construction management & litigation, Eminent domain, Leasing, Environmental law, State funding of school or construction.

Business Services: Commercial contracts, Government contracts, Intellectual property, Electronic commerce, Torts, Worker’s compensation or Risk management

Human Resources: Labor Law, Civil rights, ADA, Personal tax or Education code sections on labor

Additional Information:

Work Year Calendars (including accrued time off): http://thecommons.dpsk12.org/P...

Benefits (including DPS contributions): http://thecommons.dpsk12.org/P...

Compensation Structures: http://thecommons.dpsk12.org/P...

Employees must live and work with a permanent home address in Colorado while working for Denver Public Schools.

How To Apply

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and salary expectations no later than 9:00pm on Monday, May 30, 2022 by clicking Apply to this Job below.

Equity & Salary Disclosure

We believe in practices that create real equity and pay parity regardless of background or identity and we freely discuss compensation with all qualified candidates the first time we interview them. Saving the salary discussion for the first conversation allows us to fully understand the needs of each candidate and to ensure that qualified candidates, even those who’ve historically been overlooked and/or underpaid, don’t self-select out of the processes based on salary alone, as our experience and research suggests. In addition to those who opt out because they fear the salary may be out of reach for them, we equally don’t want to miss out on conversations with candidates who are slightly over the range when in some cases the total compensation including factors such as bonuses, flexibility, and better health benefits, etc. may exceed expectations. Finally, as a search firm – we are always looking for top-notch talent to introduce to our clients. Should the salary or any other requirement not be a fit, there is often a chance that someone on our team is working on another position you may be a better fit for. If you would like to discuss your qualifications for this role as well as discuss salary and compensation - just give us a call, we’d be happy to discuss!

All submissions received in strictest confidence. Both kpcompanies and Denver Public Schools are equal opportunity employers.