Associate General Counsel

Position Overview

Summit Public Schools is looking for an Associate General Counsel who is a problem‑solver, results‑oriented, excels at critical thinking and clear writing, and has exceptional interpersonal skills. The candidate must be a highly motivated individual who thrives in an entrepreneurial environment and wants to positively impact the lives of students by improving K‑12 public education. You will work directly with and report to the Chief Legal Officer.

What if all students graduated high school with the knowledge, skills and habits they need to lead a fulfilled life? This is the question that guides our mission at Summit Public Schools.

Summit is a leading network of public schools that collectively prepares a diverse community of young people with the skills, knowledge, and habits to attain economic empowerment and success in a chosen concrete next step toward a fulfilled life. We operate 10 schools serving over 3,000 students in the Bay Area and Washington state. 100% of Summit graduates are college‑ready, and Summit graduates complete college at double the national average.

We need exceptional, diverse, and mission‑aligned teachers to join our team to help prepare our students for a fulfilled life. Join us!

What You’ll Do:

The Associate General Counsel will be the second member of the legal team and will support the Chief Legal Officer on a range of issues that impact Summit Public Schools. This is an opportunity with significant responsibility and the opportunity to have an immediate impact on students enrolled in a network of charter schools in California and Washington. This role provides exposure to the full range of responsibilities typically associated with a General Counsel, preparing the Associate General Counsel for future leadership opportunities in the legal field and nonprofit sector.

• Serve as a thought partner to the Chief Legal Officer and senior leadership on governance, compliance, and risk strategy.
• Navigate complex issues across multiple jurisdictions (California and Washington), with exposure to evolving charter law and nonprofit governance.
• Advise on charter and education law and apply it to Summit’s schools in California and Washington.
• Manage outside counsel in litigation, dispute resolution, and other high‑risk matters.
• Draft, review, and negotiate agreements critical to operations and innovation.
• Oversee compliance with federal and state laws and regulations.
• Provide legal advice and resolve disputes in special education matters.
• Support the development and implementation of organizational policies.
• Advise on corporate law, nonprofit operations, and education codes.
• Deliver training and actionable guidance on legal and compliance issues to staff.

• Support the Diverse Learners team on special education matters, including FAPE.
• Serve as lead attorney on labor and employment matters, including collective bargaining, contract administration, and employee relations.
• Represent Summit with charter authorize rs, oversight agencies, and external stakeholders.
• Advise on high‑stakes charter renewals, policy shifts, and public accountability.
• Support school leaders on state and federal law obligations under our charters.
• Advise on finance, governance, philanthropy, and strategic partnerships.
• Ensure legal alignment with Summit’s innovation and growth initiatives.
• Support the Government and Public Affairs team on legislation and external engagement.
• Draft, review, and negotiate commercial and strategic agreements.
• Draft, review, and prepare governance documents, including board memoranda, resolutions, and policies.
• Provide legal advice on student matters, including safety, confidentiality, and school norms.

• Provide legal expertise and guidance to the network leadership team.
• Ensure compliance with California’s Brown Act, Political Reform Act, and Public Records Act.
• Ensure compliance with Washington’s Open Public Meetings Act and nonprofit governance laws.
• Advise governing boards and leadership teams on legislative trends and recommend responses.
• Partner with HR…