Attorney - Education Team (Hybrid)

Description:

A Nonprofit Legal Advocacy Organization has an immediate opening for a full-time staff attorney on the Education Team. The Education Team advocates to significantly improve outcomes for students with disabilities in schools. In doing so, the Education Team works to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline in North Carolina, including for students of color with disabilities. The Education Team strives to advocate at the nexus of disability justice and racial justice.
Work activities may include individual student-level advocacy through representation in school-based meetings such as IEP reviews and manifestation determination reviews, filing administrative and other complaints, negotiations and mediations, and litigation. The Education Team attorney will also engage in advocacy and representation to secure systemic remedies to address violations of the rights of students with disabilities. In addition, the Education Team attorney will actively participate in community outreach, education, and collaboration to both learn from and empower communities in advocacy. A licensed attorney with an interest in special education law is strongly preferred.
Job Duties include:

• Represent individual clients consistent with DRNC's annual advocacy targets and case selection criteria, including development and implementation of all phases of case strategies and activities (e.g., client communications, negotiation, mediation, representation in legal proceedings, and systemic advocacy and litigation)
• Provide legal advice and assistance to DRNC's clients, including drafting letters, memoranda, and pleadings
• Analyze legal rulings, statutes, regulations, and agency policies/procedures; draft analyses and comments in collaboration with DRNC policy staff
• Provide technical assistance to attorneys, advocates, and allies regarding the rights of individuals with disabilities
• Assist in planning and developing DRNC's program priorities and develops work plans, as assigned
• Prepare and review reports, amicus briefs, articles and special projects
• Prepare written materials and conduct activities for the education and training of consumers, coalition partners, professionals, DRNC staff, members of the public, and others consistent with DRNC's annual targets
• Cultivate, develop and maintain relationships with subject area professionals and advocates, including state officials and agency staff, providers, advocacy organizations, pro bono attorneys, and community advocates
• Represent DRNC at coalition meetings, public hearings, stakeholder groups, and task forces
• Maintain complete and accurate records in DRNC's case management system consistent with agency policies and procedures

Requirements:

• JD degree and admitted to practice law in North Carolina
• Demonstrated interest and commitment to public interest law and/or the rights of persons with disabilities
• Ability to work collaboratively with co-workers as well as independently when needed

Desirable Qualifications:

• At least 2 years of relevant legal experience
• Life experience with disability
• Civil litigation experience
• Familiarity with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and related laws and policies strongly preferred
• Experience in a legal services, nonprofit or public interest environment
• Ability to communicate in ASL, Spanish or another non-English language
• Understanding of trauma and its prevalence among people with disabilities, valuing and using trauma-informed approaches

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