Fort Smith Public Schools Seeks In-House Counsel

The Fort Smith Public School District is looking for a lawyer. The district posted a job opening on its website in July for a lawyer — with a salary of $100,000 — to become its in-house attorney. The district has used a Rogers-based law firm in recent years.

“The school district is hiring an attorney who will provide day-to-day access to specialized legal knowledge to address complex and evolving legal issues affecting schools,” the district’s communications office said in a statement.

These issues include areas such as special education, state and federal compliance, labor and employment issues, student rights and more. The district decided it was time to hire in-house counsel rather than continue to use Marshall Ney of Ney Law Firm in Rogers, with whom the district has worked for many years.

“Having an in-house attorney will enable us to respond effectively and efficiently to these legal needs,” the office said. “The discussions took into account the current legal needs and the frequency and complexity of legal issues. It was determined that having a dedicated in-house attorney would be the most effective solution for our district,” the communications office said.

The district said hiring an in-house attorney could be a cost-saving move. Relying solely on outside counsel can be expensive, especially for ongoing or complex legal matters, the communications office said. An in-house attorney would reduce that reliance on outside legal services, they said.

The position is expected to provide immediate access to legal knowledge, enabling faster decision-making and more informed guidance on legal matters. It will also improve and ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, protecting the district from potential legal risks. The district said the addition of counsel will improve support services and train staff on legal matters, supporting a more competent and compliant workforce.

“It is expected that this step will help create a safer, more compliant and more efficient school district,” the communications office said.

The job description states that applicants for the position must have a juris doctorate from an accredited law school and be a member of the Arkansas Bar in good standing and licensed to practice law in the state of Arkansas. The district is seeking an individual with five years of experience practicing law, with an emphasis on education law, labor law and related areas, with a good knowledge of federal, state and local education laws and regulations, and negotiation and trial skills.

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