Director of Legal

                                          NEW JERSEY SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION

                         “Our mission is the advancement of public education in New Jersey”

JOB TITLE:                                       Director of Legal

 TERMS:                                            Full-time

 MINIMUM SALARY:                       $140,000

EMPLOYMENT STATUS:                 Exempt

 REPORT TO:                                    General Counsel  

ABOUT THE ROLE

Direct, supervise and provide legal advocacy, training and resources to school board members, school attorneys and school administrators, concerning school law issues on legal matters.  Supervise, direct and work with the legal staff, providing such services.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Recruit, train, supervise and evaluate the performance of all staff in the Legal department and make recommendations for department staff hiring, evaluations, salary adjustments, promotions and disciplinary action, including terminations.
• Coordinate with members of the Legal staff to facilitate the performance of Legal staff responsibilities.
• Provide legal information to school board attorneys, school board members, school administrators, and staff as requested. Consult with the communications department to assist in responding to press and media inquiries on current legal issues. Provide direct responses to the press and media when requested by the communications department.
• Provide, in collaboration with other Legal Services staff, legal assistance to other Association departments regarding school law issues as requested.
• Review and evaluate legal and PERC cases affecting education for possible amicus participation, including but not limited to specific amicus requests received. Direct and prepare amicus review memoranda and prepare amicus briefs as assigned by the General Counsel; orally argue Association positions in federal and state trial and appellate courts and administrative bodies.
• Coordinate with the Marketing Department to determine and develop marketing and training activities and develop initiatives to improve the programs and services of the Legal Services Department.
• Coordinate with the Deputy Director to plan, develop and implement entrepreneurial innovations in the Legal Services Department and department-related activities.
• Assists with Legal Services budget including administering the department’s fee-based services and ensure the effective operation of the department as deemed appropriate
• Serve as Secretary to the Associate Membership Program for School Attorneys (AMPSA). In collaboration with the Labor Relations Department, plan and present training programs including, but not limited to, the Spring and Fall School Law Forum and distribute supplementary written materials to advise AMPSA members on current legal and labor relations issues.  Develop and coordinate the delivery of services to AMPSA members.
• Oversee the analysis, and summarize when needed, of all school law decisions issued by the Commissioner of Education, School Ethics Commission, Government Records Council, Council on Local Mandates and the New Jersey Superior Court, including the Appellate Division and New Jersey Supreme Court. Supervise and assist in the indexing of decisions in the annual revision of Index to New Jersey School Law Decisions.
• Develop and provide legal services training programs to school board attorneys, board members and school administrators in collaboration with Field Services Departments.
• Develop and coordinate with the delivery of services and training programs for board members, school attorneys, school administrators and staff at the NJSBA Annual Workshop, including but not limited to, Mandated Training, and the School Law Forum.
• Designate and oversee the Legal Services department’s staff members to serve as liaison to Association committees where the department is assigned primary responsibility; provide legal advice and assistance to all other Association committees.
• Cross-pollinate with the Labor Relations Department and collaborate with other departments to ensure effectiveness of Association advocacy, training and provision of information.
• Serve as staff to Association committees as assigned.
• Plan, prepare and deliver oral presentations on legal topics as required.
• Provide ongoing review and input regarding the content of the legal department’s webpage.
• Serve as the Attorney of the Day and generally provide school law information in response to both internal and external inquiries.
• Maintain confidentiality for all information received and work confidentially with the Executive Office.
• Represent the Association in direct litigation under direction of the General Counsel.
• Act as liaison with other agencies and institutions involved with legal issues concerning public education.
• Write articles and author podcasts on legal topics for NJSBA publications, including, but not limited to, School Board Notes, School Leader, Basic School Law.
• Attend Board of Directors, Delegate Assemblies and other Association activities as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Office.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCES

• Juris Doctor degree required.
• Admission to practice before the New Jersey federal district court and the courts of New Jersey (in good standing) required; litigation experience preferred.
• Minimum five years practicing law in public education law and knowledge of school governance required.
• Experience with on-line research tools, e.g. Westlaw or Lexis-Nexis, and Windows and Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel required.
• Three to Five years prior management/supervisory experience preferred

QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated knowledge of public education law and school governance.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver effective presentations before large groups of people.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise good judgment and make independent decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with coworkers, members and the public; must possess good human relations skills.
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple priorities while adhering to deadlines.
• Documented record of academic achievement, including demonstration of excellent speaking, writing and analytic ability.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage, supervise and evaluate performance of subordinate staff while maintaining a positive work environment.
• Develop and conduct training programs on legal issues.
• Must work evenings and weekends as required to carry out the responsibilities of the position.
• Ability to serve in a confidential capacity.

NJSBA OFFERS:

• Health
• Dental
• PERS Pension
• Short and Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume and two letters of recommendation to jobs@njsba.org by April 13. 2025.