Education Justice Attorney

Job Summary

AJE seeks an Education Justice Attorney to engage in policy work focused on protecting the civil and human rights of children in DC as well as advocacy and litigation focused on dismantling systems of oppression and discrimination in the DC educational system. The person selected will be expected to handle all aspects of litigation, including investigation and case development, discovery, motions practice, and trial, as part of a team comprised of AJE staff, other legal services organizations, and/or private bar co-counsel. The attorney will also lead the assessment of request for assistance, provide direct legal services to protect the civil and human rights of children in DC to an appropriate education based on family-led goals, help increase the knowledge and capacity of families to advocate through Know Your Rights training; and to work in collaboration with families, coalition partners, and other stakeholders to bring about systemic changes that will eliminate barriers and create equity in DC’s education and health systems.

Principal Responsibilities

• Assess client intakes for appropriate services (advice and counsel, brief services, or extended services); Provide direct advocacy on critical cases involving rights in accessing public education; Analyze and determine AJE’s case strategy to ensure effective and successful negotiation and litigation.
• Work as a team with families to assess individualized needs and to set goals; Represent students and families in the disciplinary hearing process, in matters involving legal rights to special education services (from early intervention to post-secondary transition), and other legal rights to accessing public education; maintain and update electronic case records; collect data and prepare monthly reports on client case matters.
• Work closely with AJE’s staff attorneys and Director of Legal Services to identify cases ripe for impact legal action.
• Serve as lead or co-counsel in individual and class action impact litigation in local, federal, and administrative courts.
• Testify before the City Council, the DC State Board of Education, and other relevant bodies on issues impacting the families AJE serves.
• Track, monitor, analyze, and respond to federal and local education and special education issues that affect AJE families.
• Assist in the preparation of materials to communicate relevant policy issues to stakeholders.
• Conduct training on legal rights for parents, youth, community, and professionals and assist in providing in-service training to staff.
• Contribute to the monthly newsletter, websites, and other publications.
• Participate in groups or coalitions related to direct advocacy and support of families in educational and other related matters.
• Participate in organizational outreach efforts and develop relationships within the community.
  
  

Qualifications

• A member of the District of Columbia Bar or another state bar and eligible to waive in with pending bar admission.
• Three to Five years of relevant legal experience, including in family support advocacy, administrative and/or trial proceedings.
• A demonstrated commitment to public interest, social, racial, and education justice.
• Must exemplify positive leadership and independence.
• Must possess strong legal, organizational, oral, and written communication skills.
• Must have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with diverse communities, families, staff, partners, and other community stakeholders.
• Must demonstrate ability to handle multiple tasks and prioritize workload.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with the unique challenges facing DC communities
• Experience working within the DC legal services community
• Fluent in Spanish