Vice President for Legal Affairs

Position Summary

 

Working full-time from Commonwealth Charter Academy Charter School’s Capital Campus Family Service Center in Harrisburg, PA, the Vice President for Legal Affairs will support the school’s efforts to maintain legal compliance and participate in legal activities in all operations.  Under the direction of the Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, and in collaboration with other departments, this position will manage or support legal activities for litigation, contracting, records requests and records management, policy development and review, corporate operations, financial compliance, information technology, property, insurance, and other school functions. Duties will include, but are not limited to, researching and drafting legal documents and correspondence; analyzing and responding to federal and state legislative and regulatory changes; litigation in a state and federal administrative and civil tribunals; responding to requests for records under applicable law; and liaising with internal and external legal supports.  The successful applicant for this position should have: (1) a minimum of 5 years of legal experience, with public interest, or government experience strongly preferred; (2) demonstrated interest in, and knowledge of, education law issues; (3) strong writing skills with experience in legal writing; (4) demonstrated attentiveness to detail; (5) ability to prioritize and be proactive in a deadline-driven, fast-paced organization (6) superior interpersonal and communication skills; and (7) strong oral presentation skills.

 

Job Responsibilities

• Provide support to CCA’s President and CEO, Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, and senior leadership on various administrative and operations projects requiring knowledge of laws and legal procedures and practices
• Support legal compliance in various areas of the school, including school operations, policy, employment, special education, student civil rights, subpoena and records requests, procurement and contracts, and land use and zoning
• Participate in organization-wide projects that require additional support in initial research, planning, and feasibility analysis support; help discern project requirements and assign tasks to team members
• Participate in all aspects of litigation before state and federal courts and administrative bodies, including, but not limited to:
  • drafting pleadings, motions, briefs, and memoranda

• conducting discovery and trial preparation
• planning, preparing, and presenting factual and expert witness testimony and exhibits including summary and demonstrative exhibits
• participating in status conferences, oral arguments, and evidentiary hearings
• assisting in post-trial appeals as necessary

• Participate in the negotiation and drafting of pricing and other legal terms and conditions
• Assist with ensuring compliance with statutory, regulatory, and contractual requirements
• Review and assist with responding to requests for documents, subpoenas, and discovery requests
• Prepare and answer correspondence, including correspondence with staff; the school solicitor and outside counsel; representatives of local, state, and federal courts, agencies, school districts, private schools, colleges/universities, and other educational programs; students’ caretakers; and public inquiries as necessary
• Develop, review, update, and maintain policies, administrative guidelines, and internal operating procedures
• Maintain complete and accurate electronic files
• Prepare legal research and analysis and provide recommendations on assigned issues
• Organize and participate in trainings, meetings, hearings, or other events as needed
• Assist with investigations and the preparation of responses to complaints or correspondence
• Monitor federal, state, and local hearings, developments, and related legislation.
• Travel statewide as needed to promote assigned responsibilities
• All other duties as assigned

 

 

Required Education and Experience

• Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Active membership in good standing with the Pennsylvania Bar
• Minimum of 5 years of legal experience, with public interest or government experience strongly preferred
• Demonstrated interest in, and knowledge of, education law issues
• Strong writer with experience in legal writing
• Attentiveness to detail
• Ability to prioritize and be proactive in a deadline-drive, fast-paced office
• Superior interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong oral presentation skills

 

Position Type

• Full-time
• Exempt
• Salary

 

Work Environment
This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.
 
Physical Demands
This is largely a sedentary role. Requires the ability to lift, squat, sit, bend or stand as necessary.  Ability to travel to other sites/locations as needed.

 

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• Valid PA Driver’s License
• Appropriate Automobile Insurance Coverage
• Must be able to commute to a Family Service Center regardless of commute complexity.
• Candidates must reside within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

 

Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
 
 
Commonwealth Charter Academy is an equal opportunity employment, educational and service organization.