About this opportunity
AI summaryJackson Public Schools invites qualified Michigan law firms to submit proposals to serve as legal counsel to the Board of Education and administration. The District seeks experienced education-law counsel for a three-year engagement beginning January 1, 2027, with an option to renew for two additional one- or two-year terms. The District may award one firm as general counsel or split assignments across practice areas, noting prior-year legal spend was approximately $36,000. Bidders must submit one signed original, four copies, and one PDF on a USB drive in a sealed package to Marcus Leon at 522 Wildwood Ave, Jackson, Michigan 49201, with optional emailed copies permitted. Proposals are due by 9:00 a.m. Eastern on November 18, 2026, and written questions must be submitted by November 9, 2026. A committee will score proposals out of 100 points, assigning 25 points to the Michigan school-law experience of assigned attorneys and 20 points to cost and billing terms.
Buyer and opportunity details
- Client
- Jackson Public Schools
- Budget
- - Approximately 36,000 USD - Deadline November 18,2026
Scope of work
- General counsel and governance
- Labor and employment
- Special education and Section 504
- Student matters
- Civil rights and harassment
- Business, finance, and construction
- Litigation representation in state and federal courts and administrative agencies
- Annual training for administrators and the Board
How proposals are evaluated
| Criterion | Weight / scoring |
|---|---|
| Michigan school-law experience of assigned attorneys | 25 |
| Depth in proposed practice areas | 20 |
| Service approach, responsiveness, and accessibility | 20 |
| Cost and billing terms | 20 |
| References | 10 |
| Training and preventive services | 5 |
Minimum qualifications
- All attorneys assigned to the District are active members in good standing of the State Bar of Michigan
- The lead attorney has at least 10 years of experience representing Michigan public school districts
- The firm currently represents at least three Michigan K-12 districts, ISDs, or public school academies
- The firm carries professional liability insurance of at least $2,000,000 per claim
- The firm has no unwaivable conflict of interest with the District, its board members, or its bargaining units
Documents to include with your response
- Signed Cover letter
- Firm overview narrative
- Assigned team details and resumes
- Relevant experience
- At least three Michigan school district client references
- Service approach narrative
- Training narrative and list
- Conflicts and disciplinary history statement
- Fee proposal in a separate, sealed envelope or file
- Signed Attachments A, B, and C
Key dates
- RFP issued
- 11/2/2026
- Written questions due
- 11/9/2026
- Answers posted as addendum
- 11/13/2026
- Proposals due
- 11/18/2026 9:00a.m.
- Interviews of finalists (if held)
- Week of 11/30 (if held)
- Board action on recommendation
- 12/15/2026 final approval
- Engagement begins
- 1/1/2027
How to submit
- Method
- Sealed hard copy with digital copy on USB drive; optional backup email
- Instructions
- Deliver one signed original, four copies, and one PDF on a USB drive in a sealed envelope marked 'RFP JPS Legal Services' to Jackson Public Schools, Attn: Marcus Leon. Optional backup copies can be emailed. Narrative limited to 20 pages. Fee proposal must be in a separate, sealed envelope or file.
Contract details
- Term
- Three-year engagement, with an option to renew for two additional one- or two-year terms
- Insurance and bonding
- Professional liability insurance of at least $2,000,000 per claim (certificate required at award)