Senior General Counsel - Tort Litigation

Job Summary

Provides leadership on a wide variety of legal issues in the area of tort litigation, with a primary focus on directly representing the District in litigation, overseeing and managing outside counsel and training and supporting litigation attorneys.

Oversees projects and develops innovative strategies to resolve legal challenges. Provides legal advice and representation to the Board of Education and the School District of Philadelphia and its , with a focus on the sexual abuse exception to governmental immunity under the Pennsylvania Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act.

Provides support and counsel, as needed, in other areas of litigation, including commercial litigation, civil rights, environmental, employment and labor.

Essential Functions

Tort Litigation

• Directly handles, oversees and manages lawsuits arising from the sexual abuse exception to immunity to under the Pennsylvania Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act and other areas of litigation as needed, and develops and implements District-wide litigation strategy consistent with current legal opinions and expert analysis.
• Provides counsel and guidance to the General Counsel, School District Administration and Board of Education on matters related to litigation, including the sexual abuse exception, develops strategies to minimize liability and monitors compliance with policies directed towards identifying and eliminating the sexual abuse of students.
• Represents the School District, the Board of Education and District officers and employees in varied transactions and litigation.
• Serves as a key contributor and handles the most complex legal issues; provides assessments and solutions which are optimal for the School District and the Board of Education.
• Leads, supports and trains Assistant General Counsel, Associate General Counsel and staff on matters in the areas of litigation.
• Conducts District wide professional development to encourage effective and efficient management controls; participates in and facilitates seminars to effect positive dialogue and relations in school legal matters.
• Participates in the planning and implementation of programs and activities in the Office of General Counsel.
• Prevents legal claims by identifying potential risks and making appropriate recommendations.
• Defends lawsuits and claims by discussing matters with opposing counsel, filing necessary legal papers, conducting extensive discovery proceedings, meeting with and

preparing the testimony of witnesses, trying cases or arranging settlements in the best interest of the School District.

• Advises employees by providing legal advice to supervisors and administrators on a daily basis and by issuing legal opinions when requested.
• Assists in the formation of School District practices and procedures through committee participation.
• Provides representation in appellate court proceedings by filing briefs and arguing these cases before the Commonwealth Court, Superior Court and Supreme Court of Pennsylvania as well as Federal appellate courts.
• Plans, organizes and prioritizes work to meet deadlines.
• Travel as required, including to attend in person, off-site meetings and court appearances.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• Ten years of full-time, paid, professional legal experience in a law firm, public sector law department or corporate law department or related area relevant to the area of specialization.
• Certificate of admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, active member in good standing, and compliance with the most recently completed twelve-month Continuing Legal Education compliance period.
• Eligible for admission to the Pennsylvania Bar within six months of employment and an active member in good standing and currently licensed to practice law in another state and in compliance with the most recently completed Continuing Legal Education compliance period.
• Admitted, or ability to be admitted within two months of employment, to practice in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Note : Allwork experience related to the position must be included on the resume.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Tort Litigation

Demonstrated knowledge of :

othe common laws and the state and federal laws, particularly as they relate to the civil liability of political subdivisions in Pennsylvania.

ojudicial proceedings, the rules of civil procedure and of the rules of evidence.

othe principles, practices, methods and techniques of legal research.

othe uses and capabilities of personal computers and their software applications including word processing, database management and spreadsheets.

Demonstrated ability to :

oanalyze, organize and evaluate the evidence and procedures involving difficult and complex matters and to present such material in clear and logical form for written presentations such as memos, briefs, opinions, orders or decisions.

oanalyze legal documents and instruments.

odraft legal instruments.

osuccessfully negotiate terms and conditions of agreements.

omanage a detail-oriented workload.

oorganize and prioritize workload during high pressure, high-volume workload periods.

ocollaborate with colleagues and District clients.

oexercise sound judgment, discretion and tact in the context of litigation and legal counseling.

ohandle matters outside areas of immediate familiarity.

omanage stress, and handle multiple concurrent tasks.

omaintain a sense of humor and camaraderie with colleagues.

oreview and process information through electronic systems throughout the workday.

oexpress ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.

oestablish and maintain effective working relationships.