The School Board may enter into agreements for legal services with one or more attorneys of law firms to be the Board Attorney(s).  The Board Attorney represents the  Board in its capacity as the governing body for the School District.  The Board Attorney shall not represent another client if the representation involves a concurrent conflict of interest, unless permitted by the Ill. Rules of Professional Conduct adopted by the Ill. Supreme Court.

The school attorneys serve on a fee arrangement as the School Board and attorney determine.

The attorneys will:

1. Serve as counselor to the School Board and attend Board meetings when requested by the Superintendent or Board President;

2. Represent the District in any legal matter as requested by the School Board;

3. Provide written opinions on legal questions as requested by the Superintendent or Board President;

4. Approve, prepare, or supervise the preparation of legal documents and instruments and perform such other legal duties as the School Board may request; and

5. Be available for telephone consultation. 

The Superintendent, his or her designee, and Board President, are each authorized to confer with and/or seek legal advice of the Board Attorney.  The Board may authorize a specific member to confer with legal counsel on its behalf. 

The School Board shall retain the right to consult or employ attorneys on matters of special concern and to terminate the service of any attorney.

LEGAL REF: Rule 1.7 (Conflict of Interest: Current Clients) and Rule 1.13 (Organization as Client) of the 

Ill.Rules of Professional Conduct adopted by the Ill. Supreme Court. 

CROSS REF: 4:60 Purchases and Contract

Reviewed: October 20, 2003; January 18, 2011, October 26, 2015, November 2024

Adopted: November 17, 2003