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Legal Counsel

Success Academy Charter Schools
Est. $92,612 - $240,040 / year
Posted Jul 02
Full Time
On SiteNew York

We're redefining what's possible in public education. We set out to tackle this education crisis with a groundbreaking school design that delivers a rigorous, whole-child education to students from all backgrounds. Today, as the fastest growing, highest-performing charter school network in New York, our network of 47 K-12 schools outperforms every district in the state, proving irrefutably that all children are capable of excellence.

Job Description

Success Academy is seeking a Legal Counsel with approximately 4+ years of transactional experience to join a small and collaborative legal team. The Legal Counsel will primarily handle traditional in-house legal work such as reporting and compliance, contract review, and matters of governance while also providing legal advice in novel areas of education, non-profit and charter school law. The Legal Counsel will work independently but will also regularly collaborate across all departments including Schooling, Public Affairs, Finance, and Operations.

The ideal candidate will have a strong academic record, and 4+ years of combined transactional experience in areas such as compliance, tax, finance, real estate, labor and employment, corporate governance, contract, lobbying, or New York nonprofit law. All candidates with in-house, non-profit or experience at a large law firm will be considered who are enthusiastic about Success Academy’s mission and can hit the ground running.

Primary responsibilities include:

  • Managing reporting and compliance with the school’s authorizer and state and federal agencies across 47 schools;

  • Advising on New York state testing, graduation and diploma requirements for a growing number of schools;

  • Advising on enrollment and admissions questions involving legal considerations;

  • Reviewing and assessing grant opportunities and preparing grant applications;

  • Supporting with lobbying and tax and finance compliance in coordination with the External Affairs and Finance teams;

  • Preparing and revising resolutions, minutes, bylaws, and policies for board meetings and advising on issues of governance and conflicts of interest;

  • Reviewing and negotiating contracts for a wide variety of goods and services, including SaaS, RFPs, marketing, and consultancy agreements;

  • Handling issues of liability waivers and releases;

  • Overseeing audits, investigations and escalations, as needed;

  • Supporting the larger Legal Team as needed on issues of labor and employment, real estate and facilities, and special projects.

Job requirements include:

  • A strong academic record and at least 4+ years combined transactional experience at a large law firm or in-house, preferably at a non-profit organization;

  • Familiarity with at least several of the following areas of law: tax, finance, corporate governance, labor and employment, contract, lobbying, real estate, or New York nonprofit law;

  • Demonstrated ability to work independently, drive outcomes, and manage multiple critical projects and deadlines;

  • Ability to balance legal considerations with practical business needs and strategic short and long-term thinking;

  • Strong project management skills with superior attention to detail;

  • Resourceful, “can do” attitude;

  • The ability to anticipate obstacles and develop creative solutions to novel and complex issues;

  • A team player who is self-motivated and works well under pressure while maintaining a sense of humor; and

  • A strong interest in education and Success Academy’s dual mission to not only reverse the achievement gap but to advocate for national educational reform.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree and a J.D.;

  • Licensed to practice law in New York;

  • Clerkship is a plus.

To join our team, please submit the following:

  • Resume and cover letter describing your candidacy; and

  • Law school transcript.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We actively seek applications from people of all backgrounds to strengthen our community and the perspectives needed to flourish in a multicultural world. Success Academy offers a full benefits program and opportunities for professional growth. Learn more about our philosophy, benefits, and team at https://jobs.successacademies.org/working-here/ .

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