Assistant Staff Attorney

The Assistant Staff Attorney provides legal assistance and support to the School District under the direction of the Chief Staff Attorney. This position supports a broad range of legal functions, including education law, employment and labor relations, student services, contracts, public records, litigation support, and regulatory compliance. The Assistant Staff Attorney assists in protecting the district’s legal interests by supporting compliance with applicable federal and state laws, School Board policies, and administrative rules.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an American Bar Association accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law in the State of Florida and a member in good standing of the Florida Bar.
• Valid driver’s license.

Any appropriate combination of relevant education, experience, and/or certifications may be considered.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience practicing law in a K-12 public school district.
• Admitted or eligible for admission to the bar of the United States Federal District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
• Experience in educational and/or government law.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations governing K-12 public education.
• Knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply federal, state, and local statutes, laws, regulations, rules, policies, procedures, and current research-based best practices governing public education and the functional area of assignment.
• Knowledge of HIPAA, Public Records, Sunshine Law, FERPA, and other laws/regulations related to student and employee privacy, public information, and records retention.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Strong time management skills and ability to organize, prioritize, manage, and carry out duties efficiently and within established deadlines.
• Ability to work collaboratively and build consensus among diverse stakeholders, including influencing others toward a common goal.
• Ability to think critically and creatively, have a high standard of integrity, and be motivated to incorporate best practices into the organizational structure.
• Ability to take initiative to plan, organize, coordinate and perform work in various situations when numerous and diverse demands are involved.
• Ability to exercise a high degree of independent judgement in conducting legal research, interpreting and applying laws, and preparing legal documents.
• Ability to maintain a professional demeanor during stressful and highly visible situations.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Typical duties include but are not limited to:

• Provide legal advice to the school district on a wide range of matters, including education law, employment law, labor law, contracts, and governance.
• Conduct legal research and prepare memoranda, opinions, and other legal documents.
• Review, draft, and negotiate contracts, agreements, and policies to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws.
• Work collaboratively with the Chief Staff Attorney and the School Board Attorney to meet the legal needs of the School Board and the district.
• Represent the district in administrative proceedings, litigation, and dispute resolution processes.
• Monitor changes in education laws and regulations, advising leadership on necessary policy and procedural updates.
• Prepare and respond to public records requests.
• Prepare and provide legal training to district staff on legal issues.
• Coordinate with external counsel, as needed, on specialized legal matters.
• Perform all other job-related duties as assigned.

BENEFITS

• Employee insurance plans including free life insurance
• Paid Parental Leave: Up to 4 weeks, 20 consecutive work days
• Access to discounted childcare options for employees
• Retirement Programs- Florida Retirement Services (FRS)
• Employee Assistance Plans
• FSA and HSA Programs
• Sick Time and Paid Time Off
• Employee wellness programs including monetary incentives
• Free access to state-of-the art gym (located at district office)
• Free professional development

Salary range: $115,586 - $179,152 annually

Salary based on relevant experience

Full-time; 255 days/year

The School District of Lee County is the eighth-largest district in Florida and the 27th-largest school district in the United States*. We proudly educate over 101,000 students in grades K-12. Schools in Lee County play a key role in community life. With 12,000 full- and part-time employees, the School District is one of the county's largest employers, and with the District's construction program, building new schools, and renovating and expanding existing facilities, the District has been the area's largest developer.

*Source: National Center for Education Statistics