Legal
The Chief Legal Counsel for Jefferson Parish Schools advises the Superintendent, Department Leadership, and school-based administrators on a wide variety of legal matters that arise in the K through 12 educational environment.
Representative legal matters include all aspects of the employment relationship, from recruitment and hiring to employee discipline and separation, employee grievances, employee benefits, and employee rights under Title VII, Title IX, ADEA, ADA, FMLA, and corresponding state law.
Typical school law matters include student rights and responsibilities under state and federal law and Board policy, constitutional issues of free speech, search and seizure, and student discipline, special education under the IDEA and Section 504, and student confidentiality and privacy under FERPA and La. R.S. 17:3914.
The Chief Legal Counsel represents the district before state and federal administrative agencies, oversees the district’s response to requests for records, including requests for public records under the Louisiana Public Records Act (La. R.S. 44:1, et seq.), and is responsible for the drafting, review, and revision of contracts and district policies.
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Jefferson Parish Schools Administration Building
501 Manhattan Blvd.
Harvey, LA 70058
504-349-7600
Patricia Adams
Chief Legal Counsel
As the chief legal counsel for the Jefferson Parish Public School System, Patricia Adams advises central office and school-based administrators regarding a wide variety of legal and policy issues that arise daily in the K through 12 setting. Adams works closely with the Superintendent and other unit leaders to ensure compliance with state and federal education and employment laws. Adams represents the district before state and federal agencies and prepares contracts and other legal documents. Adams has a B.A. in political science from Tulane University and a J.D. from Syracuse University College of Law. Adams has practiced law in the New Orleans area since 1996 with an emphasis on legal issues related to employment and education. Prior to joining the district in 2012, Adams served for several years as the chief legal officer for the University of New Orleans.