In-House General Counsel: Build Our Legal Function

Latin School of Chicago is conducting a search for its inaugural General Counsel — a newly created executive leadership role reflecting the School’s commitment to proactive, sophisticated legal stewardship in a K-12 environment. This is a unique opportunity for a senior-level attorney who will be the sole practitioner to build a legal function from the ground up, establishing the systems, policies, practices, documentation, and institutional culture that support a safe, compliant, and mission-aligned school community. About the Latin School of Chicago Founded in 1888, the Latin School of Chicago is one of the oldest and most distinguished independent day schools in the city — and among the most respected in the nation. Located in Chicago's historic Gold Coast neighborhood on the Near North Side, Latin serves approximately 1,200 students across Junior Kindergarten through 12th grade on a campus of three interconnected buildings steps from Lincoln Park. Originally founded to provide a rigorous, classical education — the curriculum rooted in the humanities, the classics, and college-preparatory excellence — Latin has evolved into a dynamic, forward-looking institution that pairs academic depth with a genuine commitment to developing the whole student. Today the school draws students from more than 70 neighborhoods and communities across the greater Chicago area, awards more than $5.6 million annually in need-based financial aid, and maintains an 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio with average class sizes of approximately 14 students. Latin is accredited by the Illinois State Board of Education and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools and the Independent School League (ISL). One hundred percent of graduates matriculate to four-year colleges and universities. The school's alumni network spans the judiciary, government, business, medicine, law, and the arts. Latin operates as a nonprofit and is governed by a Board of Trustees. The school's workforce includes both exempt professional staff, non-exempt staff and a segment of union-represented employees, reflecting the breadth and complexity of its operations. The Opportunity The General Counsel will report directly to the Head of School and will work closely with the Board of Trustees, serving as the primary legal resource across all aspects of School operations. The General Counsel will serve as a trusted advisor helping the School navigate a complex and evolving legal landscape specific to independent schools, including student safety, parent engagement, employment matters and regulatory compliance. Additionally, the General Counsel is expected to build relationships with a vetted network of outside counsel for specialized matters (litigation, real estate, etc.) Scope of Responsibilities Legal Operations & Infrastructure Establish the foundational infrastructure of a mature in-house legal function, including a comprehensive library of institutional policies, standard form agreements, and operational protocols. Develop and maintain documentation and process frameworks that enable consistent, legally sound decision-making across all departments. Evaluate legal tasks — both those arising in the ordinary course and new matters as they emerge — including student matters, employment issues, vendor relationships and enrollment contracts to determine the appropriate allocation between internal handling and outside counsel, with a view toward quality, efficiency, and cost management. Risk Management & Litigation Avoidance Lead the School's efforts to proactively identify and mitigate legal risk, with a strong emphasis on student safety, supervision, and duty of care. Develop and implement a comprehensive risk management strategy that emphasizes early identification and mitigation of legal exposure across all institutional functions. Establish policies and preventive measures designed to reduce legal exposure such as student supervision, off-campus activities, mandatory reporting and crisis response. Manage disputes and claims when they arise, coordinating with outside counsel as needed, with a focus on efficient, thoughtful resolution that protects students and the School community. Training & Legal Education Design and deliver ongoing internal training programs for administrators, faculty, and staff on legally relevant topics including employment practices, student safety, mandatory reporting obligations, privacy and data compliance, and institutional policy. Build a culture of legal awareness and informed decision-making throughout the organization. Employment & Labor Work closely with Human Resources and administration to provide counsel and guidance on the full spectrum of employment matters, from hiring and performance management through separation. Advise on compliance with applicable federal, state, and local employment law. Partner with internal stakeholders to manage relationships with represented employee groups, including contract interpretation, grievance processes, and labor relations strategy. Student Rights & Compliance Provide guidance on student rights matters across a range of evolving legal and regulatory frameworks, including those touching on access, accommodation, privacy, and participation. Support the School in developing and implementing policies that are legally sound, consistent with applicable law, and aligned with the School's values and community obligations. Support compliance with applicable laws and best practices related to student records, accommodations, and equitable access to educational programs. Advise administration about student and parent/guardians complaints. Student Expression, Student Conduct, & School Policy Advise on matters relating to student expression, conduct, and community standards. Help the School develop and/or refine, and enforce policies that balance student voice with age-appropriate expectations, safety, and the School’s mission. Governance & Nonprofit Operations Support the Board and Head of School on governance matters, including Board fiduciary obligations, nonprofit compliance, contracts, vendor agreements, insurance matters, and regulatory filings. Participate as a subject matter expert for various board sub-committee. Serve as a resource on an ad hoc basis across all operational areas of the School. Compensation & Location The Latin School of Chicago offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with the seniority of this role, including a competitive base salary, benefits, and access to the School's professional development programs. This is a full-time position based in Chicago, Illinois. The expected salary range for this role is $225,000 to $300,000 per year. The above represents the expected salary range for this job. The starting salary will vary based on multiple factors, including but not limited to experience, job-related experience, skills, etc. The ideal candidate is a highly credentialed attorney who combines the seniority and gravitas to advise the Head of School and Board of Trustees on high-stakes legal matters with the practical orientation and willingness to engage directly in the full range of day-to-day legal work that comes with building and running an in-house function. This is not a role for an attorney who delegates broadly; it calls for someone who brings genuine appetite for the work at every level — from drafting and documentation to institutional strategy. Latin welcomes candidates from a range of practice backgrounds — including private practice, in-house counsel, and public sector service — provided they bring the requisite substantive depth, direct experience in the education sector, and a demonstrated commitment to the School's mission and community. Required Qualifications J.D. from an accredited law school; active bar admission required (Illinois preferred or willingness to obtain). A minimum of 8 years of legal experience, with demonstrated expertise across multiple relevant practice areas. Direct experience in independent school, K–12, higher education, or a closely analogous educational institution. Prior K-12 experience is seen as a significant differentiator. Demonstrated experience in employment and labor law, including matters involving represented workforces. Experience advising on student-related legal issues involving minors. Proven ability to build or significantly develop legal infrastructure, policies, and processes in an institutional setting. Experience designing or delivering legal training and compliance education for non-lawyer audiences. Track record of proactive risk management and litigation avoidance, not merely litigation management. Preferred Qualifications Familiarity with nonprofit governance and the regulatory environment applicable to independent schools. Experience with student safety, child protection, and mandatory reporting frameworks. Knowledge of emerging legal issues in the areas of student rights, civil rights compliance, and family engagement in K-12 settings. Experience advising senior leadership and governing boards on complex, multi-stakeholder matters. Leadership Attributes Sound judgment and the ability to deliver clear, practical legal advice on complex and politically sensitive matters. High degree of discretion, integrity, and professional composure. Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to explain legal issues to non-lawyer audiences. Collaborative working style with the confidence to counsel leadership at the most senior levels. Entrepreneurial orientation — the ability to build systems, develop infrastructure, and establish a legal function where none has previously existed. Demonstrated commitment to education, youth development, and mission-driven institutional work. The Latin School of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of the employment relationship. #J-18808-Ljbffr