Columbia Public Schools

Columbia, Missouri

Under the direction of district policy, this role is responsible for leading, coordinating, and managing the District’s legal services and staff.

The position provides direct legal advice and representation to the Superintendent, Board of Education, and district leadership on a wide range of legal matters.

Serving as the Chief General Counsel, this role also oversees litigation, administrative hearings, and other legal proceedings.


Job Number:  01-250722-03: General Counsel 


Company Name:  Columbia Public Schools


Provides legal counsel and prepares formal legal opinions for the Board of Education, Superintendent, and District leadership; supports the drafting and review of contracts, policies, administrative regulations, resolutions, and related legal documents.
Manages the District’s legal proceedings, including litigation and administrative hearings; collaborates with external legal counsel appointed by the District’s insurance carrier when applicable; supports or prepares legal filings such as pleadings, briefs, and settlement proposals; ensures the District’s position is effectively represented in court or hearing processes.

Offers expert legal guidance to inform policy development and administrative decision-making, ensuring alignment with local, state, and federal laws; identifies legal risks and recommends appropriate courses of action.

Serves as a member of the Superintendent’s Cabinet, contributing legal insight to cross-departmental discussions related to budgeting, program implementation, and operational planning to support district goals.

Represents the District’s legal interests in legislative or regulatory hearings at the local, state, or federal level, and advises on the potential impact of proposed or enacted legislation.

Attends Board of Education meetings and other designated events to provide legal advice and support as needed by the Board and Superintendent.

Participates in strategic planning efforts by designing and supporting long- and short-term initiatives related to legal compliance and district operations.

Assigns and oversees work performed by outside legal counsel; reviews legal strategy and outcomes to ensure quality and alignment with district priorities.

Assists in the development and advocacy of proposed state legislation relevant to education and district operations; evaluates legal implications of proposed or pending legislation.

Oversee the maintenance of legal records, including Board policies and administrative regulations; ensures timely updates to ensure compliance with evolving laws and regulations.

Leads the development and management of legal department systems, including the preparation of reports, maintaining case files, and analyzing trends related to legal matters.

Develops and monitors internal procedures to support legal and regulatory compliance and improve operational efficiency.

Coordinates and leads legal training sessions, workshops, and professional development opportunities; represents the District in community and interagency meetings and participates in legal education conferences and school law associations.

Supervises the Coordinator of Compliance and Investigation, ensuring independence in investigative functions and avoiding potential conflicts of interest.

Leads the District’s compliance with Missouri Sunshine Law and coordinates responses to public records requests, working closely with the Coordinator of Compliance and Investigation on matters related to investigative records and requests.

Collaborates with the Human Resources Department to support employee investigations and ensure legal compliance in personnel matters.

Perform other duties as necessary to support the mission and vision of Columbia Public School District.


Interested Parties/How to Apply:     
 
Job Application: https://columbia.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5289011