Corporate Counsel

Why Texas Association of School Boards (TASB)

We come from humble beginnings — picture a one-person organization created in 1949 to advocate for excellence in public education on behalf of Texas school board members. Flash forward to today, and we have over 500 employees working together to provide 1,024 school districts with purposeful resources so they can focus on what matters most — excellent and equitable education for all 5.4 million Texas students. 

We feel privileged to work alongside talented team-members who are passionate about education and enjoy learning from new and different perspectives.  And our passion for education and learning doesn’t end there. Our culture has always encouraged employees to grow and become their best selves both professionally and personally through a variety of innovative and collaborative development opportunities. You’re likely beginning to see why we’ve been regularly named by Austin Business Journal as a Top Ten Best Places to Work! 

TASB offers competitive pay, rich benefits (including retirement matching of 2:1 up to 5% after one year. This means that if you contribute 5% to the plan, TASB will contribute 10%), onsite daycare, onsite gym, wellness program, tuition reimbursement, remote work options, flexible schedules, and more. 

Every role at TASB thoughtfully complements our mission and the educational impact being made in communities across Texas. If you consider your work exceptional and want to help drive our mission forward, keep reading!

About You

As Corporate Counsel, you will provide high quality, sound, creative, and responsive legal services and representation to the Association and its affiliated entities on general legal matters under the guidance of the Chief Corporate Counsel. The Corporate Counsel’s Office is an internal service for TASB program and service areas that is separate from TASB Legal Services, which provides legal counsel and programs to TASB members. 

This is an onsite position (with the potential, subject to approval, for a limited hybrid schedule) with the successful candidate working at our North Austin headquarters.

A Typical Day 

• Provide legal review and appropriate negotiated changes on vendor contracts (more than 400 each year) in which the Association is the buyer.
• Provide legal counsel and legal services to assigned service areas on program initiatives, projects, and questions, as well as anticipate and identify foreseeable legal issues.
• Provide legal counsel in a variety of areas including nonprofit law, employment law, and contracting with governmental entities.
• Assist the Chief Corporate Counsel in addressing corporate-wide legal compliance and policy needs, including records privacy and records retention.

How You’ll Make an Impact

• Draft and develop contracts for assigned service areas, primarily provider agreements and modifications or amendments thereto.
• Draft and/or review policies and administrative procedures.
• Provide legal support to the boards and committees of TASB and its affiliated entities as assigned.
• Handle third-party information requests, including subpoenas for records, discovery requests, and, for assigned affiliated entities, public information requests as applicable.
• Advocate and represent service areas on pre-suit matters, via demand letters, regulatory matters, etc. and assist Chief Corporate Counsel with claims and litigation management.
• Work and coordinate with outside counsel on projects and provide litigation support to outside counsel.
• Review and monitor pending legislation.
• Occasionally develop and provide training on legal topics to staff.

Skills for Success

Education & Experience

• Graduation from an accredited law school.
• State Bar of Texas Law license in good standing. *Must be licensed to practice law in Texas. 
• Minimum of 5 years general counsel or relevant legal practice experience. 
• Experience with employment law matters is preferred. 

Technical & Professional Skills

• Extensive experience drafting and negotiating business contracts. 
• Knowledge of government contracts and procurement. 
• Knowledge of the following legal subject areas: employment, technology, copyright, trademark, business organizations, and nonprofit/tax-exempt entities. 
• Legal curiosity and strong and precise legal research and analysis skills. 

Collaboration & Communication

• Strong verbal and legal writing skills. 
• Ability to work independently with minimal direction. 
• Ability to manage multiple, concurrent tasks. 
• Ability to work effectively and harmoniously with others at varying levels of authority. 
• Ability to communicate complex issues effectively with management, service areas, and boards. 
• Ability to maintain positive work relationships, while not sacrificing professional confidentiality, loyalty, and objectivity. 

The TASB Difference

• Enjoy competitive pay and rich benefit offerings.
• Be part of a collaborative environment where every contribution impacts Texas public schoolchildren. 
• Thrive in a culture that promotes bringing your whole self to work every day and emphasizes healthy boundaries and work-life balance.
• Learn and grow individually and together through frequent professional development, wellness seminars, and more. 
• Work alongside transparent leaders with an open and consistent feedback approach.
• Celebrate as a team with meaningful (and fun) events and tokens of appreciation throughout the year. 

Posting Notices

• The health and safety of our employees and members is our top priority.  
• The Association is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against an individual based on any of the following personal characteristics protected by law: race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including in relation to marital status, pregnancy, pay, sexual orientation or gender identity), age, disability, genetics or veteran status.
• This position does not qualify for visa sponsorship. 
• This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.
• Any job offer is contingent upon receipt of results of a satisfactory background check. 

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