Thanks for your interest in Success Academy! Running a large, fast-growing, and high-performing network of public charter schools takes a village - families, children, teachers, staff and faculty, advocates, and supporters alike. We are growing fast in New York and expanding to Florida, and we would love to welcome you to our community! We work tirelessly every day to ensure children have access to a fun, rigorous, whole-child education regardless of zip code or economic status. When you join SA, you play a part in giving every student who walks through our doors a fair shot at reaching his or her potential.
About the Role
Success Academy Charter Schools is seeking a highly motivated Legal Counsel to join its collaborative legal team, with a focus on school advisory matters. This is an opportunity for a resourceful attorney to take ownership of consequential work advancing SA’s mission to deliver excellent public education to all children. You will work directly with school leaders and Network colleagues to solve problems that affect scholars, families, and staff. We hold ourselves to high standards and move with urgency because schools need clear answers they can act on. The right lawyer combines rigorous analysis with practical judgment, takes initiative without waiting for detailed instructions, and follows through until the work is done.
Key Responsibilities
Collaborate with school leaders and Network teams to provide practical legal advice on school operations, including student discipline, special education and disability accommodations, enrollment, student records and privacy, school safety, family law, and regulatory compliance.
Respond promptly to school inquiries, including urgent and sensitive situations; establish the key facts, assess risk, and give a clear recommendation and next steps, identifying when further review or escalation is needed.
Own responses to regulatory and government inquiries, coordinating fact gathering, drafting clear and persuasive submissions, and meeting deadlines.
Partner with litigation colleagues on school disputes, investigations, and litigation strategy; develop the factual record, preserve relevant evidence, and help resolve matters before they escalate.
Translate legal requirements into workable policies, procedures, and training; help school teams implement them and address recurring issues at their source.
Conduct focused legal research and produce concise, accurate written work tailored to the decision at hand; improve templates and workflows to deliver faster, more consistent support.
Qualifications
At least 4 years of relevant legal experience in litigation, investigations, education law, or a demanding advisory practice, with demonstrated responsibility for matters and client counseling.
In-house experience preferred; strong candidates from other practice settings who demonstrate transferable skills and the ability to learn quickly are encouraged to apply.
Licensed to practice in at least one U.S. state, with admission to the New York Bar or eligibility for in-house qualification in New York.
J.D. from an accredited U.S. law school (or equivalent).
Competencies
Ownership and drive : You take responsibility from the first question through resolution, identify what needs to happen next, and pursue missing facts and decisions without repeated prompting.
Clear communication and collaboration : You listen carefully, learn how schools operate, make complex issues understandable, build trust, involve the right colleagues early, and disagree constructively while keeping shared goals in view.
Team-Orientation and Flexibility : You readily pitch in to support teammates, cover for colleagues, and take on whatever work the team needs, including matters outside your usual responsibilities.
Sound judgment under pressure : You distinguish material risks from remote possibilities, recommend a workable path, know when to act independently versus escalate, and deliver candid advice when answers…