Staff Attorney

Kansas City Public Schools

Job Title: Staff Attorney

Job Title Code: Staff Attorney (661)

Salary Grade: S664 - $80,912 - $126,219

Department: Legal Department

Report To: Chief Legal Officer

FLSA Status: Exempt

Date Prepared: March 2026

PURPOSE OF JOB: Staff Attorneys provide legal advice and services through high-quality legal research, counsel, and representation on a broad range of education-related matters including employment law, student issues, policy development, labor relations, administrative compliance, staff grievances and personnel and/or student investigations. The ideal candidate is a practical, solutions-oriented professional who communicates effectively with administrators, staff, and external partners in a dynamic public-education environment.

What You'll Be Doing: (Responsibilities)

• Provide legal advice on matters involving students, staff, district operations, and governance.
• Legal research and writing, including preparing legal opinions, correspondence, memoranda, and policy guidance.
• Discovery, including document collection, review and production.
• Settlement, including preparation of mediation statements, participation in mediations and negotiation of settlements when appropriate.
• Utilize effective case management, legal research, and analysis to resolve issues and provide advice on preventive measures.
• Investigate and prepare responses to administrative agencies, including the EEOC, MCHR, KCHRD and OCR.
• File management, including monitoring deadlines, responding to requests for additional information and updating key personnel on status.
• Conduct and/or manage internal investigations and advise HR on employee disciplinary processes and outcomes.
• Conduct teacher termination proceedings and assist with the non-renewal of employment.
• Investigate and advise on staff grievances, personnel matters, and employee-relations issues.
• Represent and assist the district with labor and employee-relations matters including representing the district in hearings, mediations, and arbitrations, and participating in or supporting union contract negotiations, interpreting collective bargaining agreements, and advising on grievance procedures.
• Review, draft, and negotiate contracts, MOUs, vendor agreements, and service contracts.
• Assist with compliance responsibilities related to special education, disability accommodations, Title IX, FERPA, and state/federal education regulations.
• Support the development, review, and implementation of district policies and administrative procedures.
• Coordinate with outside counsel on matters when appropriate.
• Respond to public records requests, subpoenas, and data privacy inquiries.
• Provide legal training for administrators and district staff.
• Develop and maintain proficiency in assigned areas of law and remain knowledgeable regarding legislation, administrative rulings, and trends and their possible impact on the district.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Yes

To Be Successful at This Job, You'll Need: (Qualifications)

Juris Doctorate

3-5 years experience, preferably in litigation or school law

Admission to Missouri Bar that is current and in good standing, or eligibility to be admitted.

Excellent written and oral skills

In Order to #LevelUp in This Role, You'll Need: (Preferred Qualifications)

Prior experience practicing school and employment law

Prior experience representing a public entity, preferably an urban school district

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This job requires that the employee be able to: sit; stand; walk; speak; hear; use hands and fingers; reach with hands and fingers; bend; stoop; lift objects of at least ten pounds; and visual ability requires mono and color vision.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Length of work year: 12 months 7.5 hours per day/ 5 days per week; 260 workdays

Benefits: Health and Dental Insurance are provided.

KCPS Defined Benefit Pension plan - mandatory 9% contribution is required from employee and matched by KCPS; Voluntary retirement savings plans are also available.