Assistant Corporation Counsel for BOE #2308-0903-01

This is an attorney position under the direction and supervision of The Office of the Corporation Counsel assigned to provide advice and representation to the New Haven Board of Education and/or the New Haven Public Schools at the direction of the Superintendent of Schools or designee. The attorney is expected to exercise independent, professional judgment in the performance of work, and may have responsibility for management of civil litigation, contract negotiation and review, advising Board personnel on compliance with the Freedom of Information Act and public meeting laws, working with the Board’s outside counsel on employment and education law issues, and other related matters.

• Applies principles and procedures of civil law, municipal law, constitutional, land use, employment, and real property law to a wide variety of legal issues affecting the operation of a municipal board such as the Board of Education and/or New Haven Public Schools.
• Performs legal research as necessary.
• Prepares written opinions upon request for adoption by the Corporation Counsel.
• Negotiates, prepares, reviews and approves as to form Board and Commission Resolutions, Contracts, Real Estate Agreements and other legal documents and instruments authorized by City Charter or Code of Ordinances.
• Represents the City of New Haven Board of Education and/or New Haven Public Schools, its officers and employees, in civil claims and lawsuits before state and federal courts, including trials. 
• Drafts all related pleadings, briefs, appeals and memoranda for filing with the appropriate forum.
• Represents the City of New Haven Board of Education, its officers and employees, in Administrative Hearings.
• Performs other related work as required.

NOTE: The above description covers the principal duties and responsibilities of the job and shall not be construed as a complete listing of all duties or as a contract.

• Graduation from an accredited school of law; 
• Membership in good standing to the bars of the State and Federal courts; 
• Minimum of two years of experience practicing as an attorney.

• Knowledge of public education law.
• Knowledge of principles and procedures of civil law especially as they relate to municipal government; and the ability to apply this knowledge to varied legal issues.
• Knowledge of the principles, methods and practices of legal research.
• Knowledge of judicial and administrative procedures, and the rules of evidence.
• Knowledge of constitutional provisions, laws, regulations and ordinances affecting municipal operations.
• Knowledge of municipal government structures, and operations of Boards and Commissions, and their relationship to other public jurisdictions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with officials and employees of the City, and the general public.
• Ability to analyze, assess and organize facts, evidence and precedents concerned in cases.
• Ability to manage deadlines and multiple assignments simultaneously.
• Skill in court presentations and other hearings.

• Membership in good standing to the bars of the Connecticut State and Federal courts.
• Must have experience in using Microsoft Office software programs or equivalent.
• Experience in education law, public records, and public meeting law preferred.

• Applicant MUST attach resume and writing sample to submission.

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of: (1) a pre-employment background check, (2) a pre-employment physical examination, including pre-employment drug screening accordance with the City’s Drug Free Workplace Policy*, and (3) a 90-day probationary period. Instructions and information on this pre-employment process are included in Conditional Offer of Employment.

Applications will be reviewed by the Department of Human Resources and the hiring department.

Applicants must attach a resume and a writing sample to their submission.

It is critical that you complete the application thoroughly, as the information you provide will be used to ascertain if you are eligible to move forward in the selection process, and in some cases, this information may be used to determine the eligibility list.

Position posted until filled.

Information regarding the employment and selection process can be found HERE.

Please note that the only method of communication with applicants for this position will be by email. You must provide a valid, working email address and you will need to monitor your email, including spam/junk folders, for correspondence from the New Haven Human Resources Department.