ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY

Job Description

** Applications will be received until April 1, 2025. If the position is not filled by then, we may consider applications submitted after the deadline. Interested applicants must apply online by visiting the Denver Public Schools job board at careers.dpsk12.org. **

About this job:

The associate attorney will support the Student Services attorney team to ensure legal compliance for all student-facing legal matters while adhering to the District's core values of Equity and Students First. Attorneys working in the student-facing legal team work on issues in civil rights, discipline, truancy, IDEA (special education), Section 504, Title II of the ADA, Title IX, and discrimination claims. The associate attorney will have the opportunity to participate in mediations, truancy proceedings, Section 504 and IEP meetings, and state and federal complaints, and work with school teams to support the District's obligation to maintain a school environment free from harassment and discrimination for all students.

This is an in-person role. No hybrid or remote work requests will be considered.
Applicants should provide a cover letter detailing their interest and qualifications.

What DPS Offers You:

• A Culture that values Equity, Accountability, Integrity, Collaboration, and Fun with a shared vision that Every Learner Thrives.
• $85,034 - $104,150 annually. Click here for more information on compensation for these roles.
• In addition to competitive compensation, DPS has other Total Reward offerings such as; time off, health and wellness benefits, and PERA Retirement.

What You'll Do:

• Develops legal strategies and provides legal advice and counsel for client groups and District leaders as needed to assure the District's compliance with applicable rules, policies, procedures, practices, and laws.
• Performs legal research and provides verbal and written analysis that also considers District policies, procedures, and practices.
• Independently drafts or works with other Deputy General Counsel or General Counsel on written work product, including pleadings, briefs, and legal research memoranda.
• Responds to directives from Deputy General Counsel and General Counsel.
• Develops and builds consensus and resolves conflicts.
• Represents the District in adversarial meetings, hearings, federal and state complaints/investigations, and court proceedings (e.g., meeting where parent is represented by counsel or advocate, Office for Civil Rights complaints, Special education mediations, DORA mediations, truancy court hearings).
• Assists in the planning and developing policy, procedures, and processes for the District, assigned client groups, and the legal department to optimize efficiency, address areas of legal risk, and address the diverse needs of client groups.
• Develops and conducts trainings for assigned client groups.
• Assists with responses to records requests made under the Colorado Open Records Act.

What You'll Need:

• Juris Doctor degree from an American Bar Association accredited institution.
• Valid Colorado license to practice law at time of hire or, if recently graduated, the ability to practice under the Student Practice Act.
• 0-2+ years of relevant experience in or demonstrated interest in labor and employment law, laws governing special education, federal education law, civil rights and constitutional law, student-data privacy laws, transactional and operations experience working with government entities, or other experience with non-profit entities supporting public interest.
• Familiarity with state and federal laws and regulations that govern the activities of the District.
• Workstyle that yields high results when working independently or as part of a team.
• Ability to work effectively with legal and non-legal staff, outside legal contacts, and the community.
• Ability to organize work and paper flow effectively and efficiently.
• Ability to develop, plan, and implement short and long-range goals, establish priorities, and organize resources.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to develop and build consensus and resolve conflicts.
• Understanding broad concepts with the ability to integrate legal input into major District policy decisions.
• Demonstrated strong research and verbal and written communication skills.
• The ability to identify legal issues from administrative and operational questions.
• Ability to explain complex legal concepts to non-legal stakeholders, including educators, administrators, and board members.
• Commitment to the District's core values and policies on equity and inclusion.
• High degree of integrity in handling confidential information.
• Experience and proficiency with Google Suite and/or Project Management Software, as well as Westlaw.
• Knowledge of District policies and regulations.
• Verbal and written fluency in second language preferred but not required.
• Lead for racial and educational excellence and work to dismantle systems of oppression and inequity in our community, along with believing in and supporting all students so they feel seen and heard with access to high quality education.
• Live and work with a permanent home address in Colorado while working with us.
• Have the ability with or without accommodations to meet the physical demands of the position.

Denver Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender expression, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or any other status protected by law or regulations. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job-related factors.

Students First. Integrity. Equity. Collaboration. Accountability. Fun

About Us

Denver Public Schools is committed to meeting the educational needs of every student with great schools in every neighborhood. Our goal is to provide every child in Denver with rigorous, enriching educational opportunities from preschool through high school graduation. DPS is comprised of nearly 200 schools including traditional, magnet, charter and alternative pathways schools, with an enrollment of more than 90,000 students.

DPS has become the fastest-growing school district in the country in terms of enrollment and the fastest-growing large school district in the state in terms of student academic growth. Learn more at dpsk12.org.