General Counsel

DESCRIPTION 

The General Counsel serves as the chief legal officer for the school system, providing strategic legal advice and counsel to the Superintendent, Board of Education, and senior leadership. This role is responsible for overseeing all legal matters, ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, and mitigating organizational risk. The General Counsel leads the delivery of high-quality, timely legal services that support the system’s educational mission, operational effectiveness, and governance responsibilities. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

Applicants must meet all qualifications below to be considered for the vacancy. 

Education: 

• Doctor of Jurisprudence from an accredited law school.  

Certification/Licensure: 

• Licensed to practice law in the state of Maryland. 

Experience: 

• Ten (10) years of experience in the practice of law as an attorney in court, administrative proceedings and trials.   

• Five (5) years of experience providing full-time or regular legal representation to a Maryland governmental entity.  

• Knowledge of the application of the law in employment and school settings.  

• Significant experience advising executive leadership and governing bodies.   

• Demonstrated experience managing complex legal matters and litigation. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

The ideal candidate for this role will also possess a combination of the additional qualifications below. If you don’t meet every one of the preferred qualifications, we still encourage you to apply, as we welcome applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences. 

Experience: 

• Experience interpreting and providing guidance on the public school laws in Maryland and the bylaws of the Maryland State Board of Education.   

• Organizational experience providing legal advice as an employee of a unit of government, private sector company other than a law firm, or nonprofit entity.    

ESSENTIAL POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES 

The below list is a summary of the functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and duties. 

Legal Strategy, Governance & Advisory  

• Serves as the principal legal advisor to the Superintendent, Board of Education, and Cabinet on all legal matters impacting the school system.  

• Researches, interprets, and provides strategic, proactive guidance on legal risks, implications, and options to support sound decision-making.   

• Advises the Board of Education on governance matters, including compliance with the Maryland Open Meetings Act and other public transparency requirements. Attends Board of Education meetings.  

• Closely collaborates with the Department of Human Resources and the Department of Employee and Labor Relations to align practices with legal frameworks, ensuring that personnel actions, contract language, and systemic policies minimize litigation and organizational risk.  

• Ensures legal sufficiency of Board policies, resolutions, and actions; oversees the Policy Office on the development and revision of policies and procedures.   

• Prepares and presents legal briefings and reports to the Board at the direction of the Superintendent.   

• Oversees legislative monitoring and supports the system’s legislative advocacy efforts.   

• Serves as liaison to the Board of Education Ethics Panel. 

Labor, Employment & Student Legal Services 

• Provides legal counsel on labor and employment matters, including collective bargaining, contract interpretation, employee discipline, grievances, and arbitration.  

• Advises on a wide range of student-related legal matters, including student rights, discipline, and services, including compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Section 504, and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.  

• Provides guidance on civil rights compliance, including Title IX, discrimination matters, and student and employee protections.  

• Advises on matters related to child abuse and neglect reporting, student search and seizure, and rights of custodial and noncustodial parents.  

• Supports resolution of disputes involving employees, students, and families, including administrative appeals and due process matters. 

Litigation, Risk & Compliance  

• Oversees all litigation, administrative hearings, and legal proceedings involving the school system.   

• Represents the school system before administrative and regulatory bodies, including the Maryland State Board of Education, the Maryland Open Meetings Compliance Board, and other local, state, and federal agencies.   

• Manages responses to complaints and charges filed with agencies such as the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and state and local human rights commissions.   

• Oversees the school system’s compliance with the Maryland Public Information Act and other applicable public records laws.   

• Develops and implements legal strategies to mitigate risk and protect the interests of the school system.   

• Manages and oversees the work of outside legal counsel, including selection, performance, and cost control. 

Contracts, Operations & Systemwide Support  

• Reviews, drafts, and negotiates contracts, agreements, memoranda of understanding, and property-related instruments.   

• Provides legal guidance on procurement, vendor relationships, and school construction and renovation matters.   

• Advises administrators and staff on the application of laws, regulations, and Board policies to support compliant operations.   

• Develops and delivers training and guidance to administrators to ensure consistent and legally sound practices across the system.   

• Translates complex legal requirements into clear, practical guidance for implementation. 

Supervisory Accountability   

• Leads and manages the Office of General Counsel and the Policy Office  

• Establishes priorities, manages workflow, and ensures timely, high-quality legal services.   

• Oversees the operation budget for the office and negotiates fees  

• Maintains strong relationships with the Board of Education, staff, governmental agencies, and the community.   

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES 

The below list is a summary of the knowledge, skills, and abilities  for success in this position, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list.  

Knowledge   

• Extensive knowledge of federal, state, and local laws applicable to public education, including labor and employment law, student services, and governance.   

• Knowledge of public sector legal frameworks, including the Maryland Open Meetings Act and public records requirements.   

• Knowledge of collective bargaining, contract administration, and grievance procedures in a unionized environment.   

• Knowledge of legal principles related to student rights, including special education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Section 504, and student privacy under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.   

• Knowledge of litigation processes, administrative hearings, and risk management practices.  

Skills   

• Strong legal analysis and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess risk and provide practical, solution-oriented advice.   

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex legal issues clearly to non-legal audiences.   

• Skilled in negotiation, conflict resolution, and influencing outcomes in high-stakes situations.   

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and complex legal matters in a fast-paced environment.   

• Skill in building effective relationships with executive leadership, Board members, and external partners.  

Abilities   

• Ability to serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership and provide sound judgment on sensitive and high-risk issues.   

• Ability to balance legal compliance with operational and educational priorities.   

• Ability to translate complex legal requirements into clear, actionable guidance for systemwide implementation.   

• Ability to maintain the highest level of confidentiality, integrity, and professionalism.   

• Ability to lead and manage all legal functions, including staff and external counsel.   

• Ability to anticipate emerging legal risks and proactively develop strategies to address them. 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS  

Working Hours 

• This position is classified as “essential” and requires the ability to be on call and respond to calls 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.  Individuals in this position are issued an HCPSS mobile phone for these purposes.  Accepting this position would require that you meet these requirements during your tenure with HCPSS.  

• This position will be in the Superintendent’s Cabinet and is considered to be an at-will position. 

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS 

Complete applications must be submitted, and once your application has been submitted, you will not be able to add documentation or make any changes. Incomplete applications will not be considered.  Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.  
 
Supplemental Application Questions 

This position requires applicants to provide responses to the below supplemental application questions to determine whether you meet the minimum and preferred qualifications. Please upload your responses in a separate file to the supplemental application questions section of the application. 

1. Describe your experience in the practice of law as an attorney in court, administrative proceedings, and trials, to include at least five (5) years of experience years of experience providing full-time or regular legal representation to a Maryland governmental entity. Please include the jurisdictions and core practice areas where you gained this experience (table format preferred). 

2. Describe your professional experience practicing law in employment and school settings.  

3. Describe your professional experience advising executive leadership and governing bodies. 

4. Describe your experience managing complex legal matters and litigation.  

5. Describe your experience interpreting Maryland public school laws and the bylaws of the Maryland State Board of Education. If you do not have direct experience with Maryland public school laws, detail your experience interpreting complex statutory frameworks for another public entity. 

SELECTION CRITERIA 

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be included in further evaluation. Interviews will be limited to those applicants who, in addition to meeting the basic requirements, have experience and education which most closely match the position qualifications and the needs of the school system.  

Applicants may be required to complete a skills assessment prior to or during the interview process. 

EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION 

Compensation 

This is a 12-month per year position in the Executive employee unit. The salary range for this position is $206,000-$225,000. Actual salary placement will be in accordance with the salary procedures of the Howard County Public School System which considers relevant prior experience. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, this position is exempt from overtime.