General Counsel
James D. Hyder, Jr.
General Counsel for the Burke County School District
James Hyder has represented the Burke County Board of Education continuously since 1993, first as a lawyer in private practice in Augusta and since 2003 as in-house General Counsel.
General Counsel for the Burke County School District
James Hyder has represented the Burke County Board of Education continuously since 1993, first as a lawyer in private practice in Augusta and since 2003 as in-house General Counsel.
The General Counsel of the Burke County Public Schools serves as the lawyer for the Board of Education, representing the school system in court and administrative hearings as and when necessary and advising the Board of Education and Superintendent on legal issues affecting public schools. He reports directly to the Board in consultation with the Superintendent.
Duties include:
- Meeting with the Board of Education in open and closed session to advise on legal aspects of matters that come before the Board.
- On behalf of the Board of Education, advising the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendents, Department Administrators, and building Principals on legal, legislative, and regulatory issues.
- Serving as Hearing Officer for the Burke County Public Schools Student Disciplinary Tribunal.
- Prosecuting certified personnel in Fair Dismissal Act proceedings.
- Serving as grievance coordinator for Section 504 matters.
Educational Background:
- Augusta State University, B.B.A. (Finance), 1984
- Mercer University School of Law, J.D., 1987
- Erskine Theological Seminary, M.A. (Pastoral Ministry) (in progress)
Work History:
- James D. Hyder, Jr., P.C., Augusta, 1997-1999 and 2002-2003
- Partner - Hunter, McLean, Exley & Dunn, Augusta office, 1999-2002
- Managing Partner - Paine McElreath & Hyder, P.C., Augusta, 1993-1997
- Associate - Paine, McElreath & Rhodes, Augusta, 1988-1992
- Judicial Law Clerk, Augusta Judicial Circuit, 1987-1988
