ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY

ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY (JOB ID: 64863) OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNCIL Traditional 235 work days per year FTE: 1.
0 Salary Range: $83,366 - $102,108 Essential Functions and Objectives: Associate Attorney in the Office of General Counsel Denver Public Schools (Student Services) The associate attorney will support the Student Services attorney team in their efforts to ensure legal compliance for all student-facing legal matters, while adhering to the District's core values of Equity and Students First.
Student facing legal matters include civil rights, discipline, truancy, IDEA (special education), Section 504,Title II of the ADA, Title IX and discrimination claims.
The associate attorney will have the opportunity to participate in mediations, truancy proceedings, Section 504 and IEP meetings, state and federal complaints, as well as work with school teams to support the District's obligation to maintain a school environment free from harassment and discrimination for all students.
This is an in-person role.
No hybrid or remote work requests will be considered.
Applicants should provide a cover letter detailing their interest and qualifications.
Essential Functions and Objectives: Ensures practices, policies, and dealings of the District meet legal and regulatory requirements to protect the organization from legal action and to defend the District when legal action is taken.
Provides counsel to District leaders on assigned areas such as special education, Section 504, student attendance and truancy, Title VI, Title IX, student discipline and safety, restraint/ seclusion.
Works closely with the Senior Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, or General Counsel in the assigned area.
- Develops legal strategies and provides legal advice and counsel for client groups and District leaders as needed to assure the District’s compliance with applicable rules, policies, procedures, practices, and laws.
- Performs legal research and provides verbal and written analysis that also considers District policies, procedures, and practices.
- Independently drafts or works with Senior Counsel, Deputy General Counsel and/or General Counsel on written work product, including pleadings, briefs, and legal research memoranda.
- Responds to directives from Deputy General Counsel and General Counsel.
- Develops and builds consensus and resolves conflicts.
- Represents the District in adversarial meetings, hearings, federal and state complaints/investigations, and court proceedings (e.
g.
meeting where parent is represented by counsel or advocate, Office for Civil Rights complaints, Special education mediations, DORA mediations).
- Assists in the planning and development of policy, procedures, and processes for the District, assigned client groups, and the legal department in order to optimize efficiency, address areas of legal risk, and address the diverse needs of client groups.
- Develops and conducts training for assigned client groups.
-Assists with responses to records requests made under the Colorado Open Records Act.
Knowledge, Experience & Other Qualifications: -0-2+ years of relevant experience in or demonstrated interest in laws governing special education, federal education law, civil rights and constitutional law, student-data privacy laws, transactional and operations experience working with government entities, or other experience with government or non-profit entities supporting public interest.
- Familiarity with state and federal laws and regulations that govern the activities of the District.
- Work style that yields high results when working independently or as part of a team.
- Ability to work effectively with legal and non-legal staff, outside legal contacts, and the community.
- Ability to organize work and paper flow effectively and efficiently.
- Ability to develop, plan, and implement short and long-range goals, establish priorities, and organize resources.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to develop and build consensus and resolve conflicts.
- Understanding of broad concepts with the ability to integrate legal input into major District policy decisions.
- Demonstrated strong research and verbal and written communication skills.
- Commitment to the District’s core values and policies on equity and inclusion.
- High degree of integrity in handling confidential information.
- Experience and proficiency with Google Suite and/or Project Management Software, as well as Westlaw.
- Knowledge of District policies and regulations.
- Verbal and written fluency in second language preferred but not required.
Education Requirements: - Juris Doctor degree from an American Bar Association accredited institution.
- Valid Colorado license to practice law at time of hire.
Additional Information: - Work Year Calendars (including accrued time off): https://thecommons.
dpsk12.
org/Page/1129 - Benefits (including DPS contributions): https://thecommons.
dpsk12.
org/Page/1397 - Compensation Structures: https://thecommons.
dpsk12.
org/Page/244 - Employee must live and work with a permanent home address in Colorado while working for Denver Public Schools About 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 is comprised of 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.
Learn more at dpsk12.
org.
Denver Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, or any other status protected by law or regulation.
It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job-related factors.