The Attorney General is the chief legal officer of the State of Maryland. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has the general charge, supervision, and direction of the State’s legal business, acting as legal advisors and representatives of the major agencies, various boards, commissions, officials, and institutions of State Government. The OAG also protects the public by civil enforcement of antitrust, civil rights, consumer protection, and securities laws and regulations and by the prosecution of organized crime, Medicaid fraud, environmental crimes, insurance fraud, state tax evasion, and other statutorily assigned matters. As Maryland’s 47th Attorney General, Anthony G. Brown leads the Office with a critical focus on equity, justice, and fairness.
The OAG is seeking an accomplished attorney to serve as Principal Counsel to the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). This senior leadership role serves as the chief legal advisor to MSDE and State Board of Education and provides strategic oversight for the legal work supporting the State Board, the Department and associated entities, including the Maryland School for the Deaf, the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association, the Center for School Safety, the Maryland Longitudinal Data System Center, the Office of Deaf and Hard of Hearing, the Interagency Commission on School Construction, the Library Agency, and the Maryland Accountability and Implementation Board. MSDE is responsible for overseeing Maryland’s 24 local school systems, regulating more than 7,000 childcare providers, and administering the State’s vocational rehabilitation programs. The State Board resolves appeals of decisions from the 24 local boards of education. The Principal Counsel plays an essential role in supporting the legal and policy framework that enables these statewide responsibilities. The legal team represents MSDE in administrative hearings as well as in State and federal courts and provides reasoned, timely guidance on matters involving regulatory compliance, educational policy, and major operational and programmatic initiatives.
Responsibilities
The Principal Counsel is responsible for delivering comprehensive legal advice across all areas of MSDE’s work, including litigation, regulatory matters, administrative actions, procurements, personnel, grants, contracts, and other complex business and operational issues. The Principal Counsel leads and mentors a team of dedicated attorneys and professional staff. The role directly supervises one Deputy Principal Counsel and six Assistant Attorneys General, while the Deputy Principal Counsel supervises an additional six attorneys. The Division is further supported by three experienced Administrative Officers. In leading this team, the Principal Counsel ensures that legal work across this broad and diverse portfolio is accurate, consistent, and aligned with MSDE’s mission and strategic priorities.
This role offers the opportunity to work closely with agency leadership and a highly skilled legal team on a wide range of complex, high-impact issues affecting students, families, educators, and institutions across Maryland.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have 10 years of legal experience as an attorney, including substantial experience in litigation, regulatory work, and providing legal advice to senior leadership. Experience managing or supervising attorneys is required. Strong writing, analytical, and supervisory abilities are essential, as is the capacity to manage complex and fast‑moving legal matters with sound judgment. Admission to the Maryland Bar or the ability to waive in is required.
Application Process
Apply online via this link: https://mdagcareers.ttcportals.com/jobs/17602969-principal-counsel-maryland-state-department-of-education
Applicants must submit a resume, cover letter, writing sample, and a list of three professional references, including at least one current or former supervisor.
Initial salary offers are determined by qualifications, experience, equity, and available budget, and typically do not exceed $191, 453
