Senior Counsel

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Job Exempt?

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Aloha mai!  Mahalo for your interest in Kamehameha Schools.  If you are looking for an opportunity to utilize your skills and talents and grow in your profession, while serving and strengthening our Native Hawaiian community, we would love to have you join our ʻohana!

Kamehameha Schools is searching for a Senior Counsel in our Education and Administration Legal division. The division is part of the Kamehameha Schools Legal Group. The division provides legal services to KS clients in areas relating to education, human resources including labor relations, litigation related to education and employment, intellectual property, contract drafting, Native Hawaiian issues, and other matters in support of KS' mission. Ideal candidates should have a passion for these areas, be a self-starter, able to work in a highly collaborative team of attorneys and staff , and have strong communications skills.

This is a Hybrid position which provides work from home flexibility on an approval basis after six (6) months.

The Senior Counsel provides legal services, representation and advice to KS clients in various areas of law. Responsibilities also include identifying, managing and meeting client needs, managing outside counsel, continuing professional development, and supporting management of the Legal Group.

• Provides legal services, representation, and advice to KS clients in areas related to education, labor and employment, intellectual property, education and employment litigation, contracts, trusts, and Native Hawaiian Issues.
• Provides regular in-house training to clients on relevant topics.
• Drafts and revises KS policies and procedures.
• Conducts legal research and gathers information using all available resources including computerized legal research systems, KS collections, libraries, computer data systems, government agencies, documents, and individuals in order to provide legal services and advice.
• Identifies and analyzes applicable legal and business issues, and develops options and/or strategies available to client to address issues, and thoroughly advises client of issues, options, and strategies through oral and/or written communications.
• Negotiates and/or drafts, reviews, and prepares all necessary related documentation.
• Efficiently manages cases, projects and/or assigned transactions which may include developing and implementing a plan and communicating with client and/or outside counsel.
• Organizes and prioritizes work, delegates work to staff or outside counsel, and supervises performance of delegated work to ensure timely completion of quality work product.
• Communicates, cooperates, and coordinates with other attorneys, managers, staff, client and outside counsel to manage cases and/or projects.
• Manages outside counsel, project budgets and timelines.
• Partners with client in order to facilitate client’s accomplishment of strategic objectives and specific cases and/or projects.
• Regularly and clearly communicates with client on cases and/or projects.
• Maintains high degree of integrity and professional ethics. 
• Maintains a superior reputation with colleagues in the Bar, professional organizations, and the community. 
• Develops specific areas of legal expertise which is consistent with the needs and goals of KS and the Legal Group's clients.
• Commits to community involvement and service to others, including those unable to afford professional services.
• Updates working knowledge by attending educational seminars, workshops, and regularly reviewing professional journals.
• May direct and supervise assigned staff in performance of tasks and provides ancillary support for performance measures and annual evaluations of staff.
• Motivates, trains, counsels and develops staff to support the provision of high quality legal services and advice to clients.
• Actively participates in Legal Group and KS meetings and activities.

Minimum Qualifications - A combination of education and experience may be substituted for the requirements listed.

• Juris Doctorate Degree
• Minimum 7 years of applicable experience as legal counsel, which may include such areas as: employment and/or school law and/or litigation, labor and employment, procurement and contracts, intellectual property, and Native Hawaiian issues.
• Licensed to practice law in the State of Hawaii as well as the U.S. District Court, Hawaii.
• Expert knowledge in the areas above, relevant to the division.
• Sound judgment and analytical skills necessary to identify legal and business issues. Must be able to clarify and resolve multipart problems, considering cost/benefit approach and effect of proposed solution.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to meet and communicate with all levels of KS staff, outside parties on issues/concepts and structures to staff, as well as maintain open communication with peers in the community.
• Administrative/management skills necessary to organize complex projects and tasks with deadlines, multiple documents, and interfacing relationships.
• Ability to work flexible hours as necessary given time change demands/scheduling and some travel.
• Excellent writing skills to prepare correspondence, memoranda, reports, legal documents, and presentations. Ability to prepare clear and concise management reports as well as communicating general and sensitive information to internal and external parties.
• Excellent verbal skills to effectively communicate with CEO, Trustees, and other members of the executive management team, direct reports, and KS staff members.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of KS, its internal policies and procedures.
• Advanced computer skills in Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams. Experienced in using matter tracking systems (e.g., NetDocs (matter or document management system) and CounselLink (eBilling system).
• Knowledge of the Hawaiian Language.

Physical Requirements

• Frequently sits, perform desk-based computer tasks and grasp light or fine manipulation, talk or hear.
• Occasionally stand and/or walk, write by hand, and lift and/or carry, push and/or pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds.
• Rarely twist, bend, stoop, squat, kneel, crawl, climb, reach or work above shoulder, or grasp forcefully.

Working Conditions

• This position may involve traveling to various locations, including neighbor islands to conduct business.
• Work is conducted in an office/school environment and may require work to be conducted in non-standard workplaces.
• Work is typically conducted Monday through Friday at normal business hours but evening and weekend hours are often required to meet goals and objectives.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by incumbents assigned to this job. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all the responsibilities, duties and skills required. The incumbent may be expected to perform other duties as assigned.

For Internal Use Only:  #LI-CAR #LI-Hybrid

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities.  Please contact us at hr@ksbe.edu or 808-534-8040 if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job.  Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

Work Year

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Compensation and Benefits

At Kamehameha Schools (KS), we recognize that compensation is just one facet of a fulfilling employment experience. Our commitment lies in fostering a positive work environment and equipping employees with the necessary resources to excel every day. Our Total Rewards Program embodies KS's dedication to the physical, mental, and financial well-being of our employee ʻohana. Explore our comprehensive Benefits Summary for more information.

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City, State

Additional Locations