Legal Advisor

ABOUT THE ROLE The City of Boston Law Department seeks an experienced attorney to serve as the Legal Advisor to the Boston Public Schools. Reporting to the Corporation Counsel, this role provides critical legal counsel to the Superintendent, the School Committee, and senior staff. The Legal Advisor leads the Office of the Legal Advisor at BPS, managing a wide variety of legal matters including operations advice, civil litigation, educational plan appeals, and contract negotiations to support the district's mission. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - Advise the Superintendent, School Committee, and BPS leadership on employment, contracts, procurement, school law, and real property matters. - Guide the implementation and drafting of new policies, procedures, and departmental methods. - Supervise an office of eight attorneys, paralegals, and staff in litigation, contract review, and advising. - Provide direct support for high-profile negotiations, complicated procurements, and RFPs. - Appear in federal and state courts on behalf of the City of Boston for high-priority cases. - Develop strategies for motions, trials, and settlements, and review attorneys' written work. - Oversee public records requests, subpoenas, student record requests, and discovery matters. - Implement standard contract and litigation processes to ensure compliance in spending public funds. - Conduct annual performance evaluations of direct reports. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - Juris Doctor degree. - At least nine years of experience as a lawyer in a law firm or government legal office. - Significant civil litigation experience, including discovery and trial work. - Admission to the Massachusetts Bar and current active registration status with the Board of Bar Overseers. - Ability to organize, manage, and supervise litigation matters and a staff of attorneys. - Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a focus on detail and sound judgment. - Experience in education, employment, or government law is highly preferred. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS - Boston residency is strictly required for this position. - Must be able to work a hybrid schedule. - Must possess the ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain accuracy and attention to detail in all legal matters. SELECTION PROCESS - Applications will be reviewed by the City of Boston Law Department for minimum qualifications and relevant legal experience. - Candidates will be evaluated on their civil litigation background, supervisory experience, and knowledge of education or government law. - Final selection will include verification of Massachusetts Bar admission and Boston residency. HOW TO APPLY 1. Visit the official City of Boston careers portal to locate the job posting. 2. Search for the position using Req ID 2026-31974 or the title Legal Advisor. 3. Click the apply button to submit your application, resume, and cover letter online. 4. For questions regarding the application process, contact Kristen Coveney at kristen.coveney@boston.gov. 5. Ensure your application is submitted before the posting end date of November 29, 2026. EMPLOYMENT DETAILS - Employer: City of Boston - Department: Law Department (Boston Public Schools) - Position Type: Regular Full-Time - Hours per week: 35 - Schedule: Hybrid - Union/Grade: Non-Union/MM2-15 - Posting End Date: November 29, 2026 - Equal Opportunity Employer: Yes