Senior Litigation Counsel

General Definition of Work This position provides specialized legal services on behalf of the Board of Education primarily responsible for complex litigation and investigations. All applicants must submit a writing sample with their application to be considered.

Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and physical requirement/working conditions of the role.

Salary/Status Market Schedule PG 14, Full-time, 12 months

Reports To General Counsel

Place of Work The normal place of work is on the premises used by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Charlotte- Mecklenburg Schools reserves the right to require you to work at such other place(s) as it may reasonably require from time to time.

Essential Functions

• The Senior Litigation Counsel serves as the Board's lead attorney for complex, high-risk, and high-impact disputes and litigation, including matters involving students, employees, civil rights, contracts, tort claims, and administrative proceedings.
• The position is responsible for developing and executing litigation strategy; managing discovery and evidentiary issues; conducting legal research and analysis; motions practice; jury selection, trial work; protecting privileged and attorney work product materials; advising District leadership and the Board on litigation risk; and coordinating with internal stakeholders to ensure consistent, defensible practices and documentation.
• Lead the District's handling of assigned disputes from pre-claim assessment through trial and appeal, including early case evaluation, pleadings, motion practice, hearings, settlement negotiations, and alternative dispute resolution.
• Develop litigation strategy aligned with District objectives, risk tolerance, operational realities, and budget constraints.
• Prepare and present case status updates, risk assessments, and settlement authority recommendations to the General Counsel, Superintendent, and/or Board as directed.
• Under the supervision and at the direction of the General Counsel, assists the Executive Director of Compliance with internal investigations
• Provides training for other members of the Office of Legal, Compliance, and Advocacy focused on litigation.
• Provides feedback on litigation strategy of other attorneys at the direction of the General Counsel.
• Identifies systemic drivers of claims and recommend policy, procedure, training, or operational changes to reduce recurrence and strengthen defensibility.
• Recommends changes to Board policies and regulations to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal laws and the North Carolina Department of Education policies and regulations.
• Coordinates and provides in-service training/professional development on legal matters.
• Works cooperatively with in-house and outside counsel.
• Performs other services and tasks as directed by the Chief Legal, Compliance, and Advocacy Officer, and General Counsel.