Education Litigation Attorney
Education Litigation Attorney (Charlottesville, Richmond, Falls Church)
LAJC seeks a full-time, experienced litigator for its education equity campaign, which seeks full and fair funding for Virginia’s public schools and high-quality educational opportunities for every child in the Commonwealth. Working as part of a team of attorneys, community organizers, and policy experts, the attorney will: lead impact litigation aimed at improving education equity across the Commonwealth; advocate for education legislation, regulations, and policies that support young people, especially youth of color, those from low-wealth communities, and students with disabilities; and partner with community organizers and grassroots leaders to develop and implement systems change initiatives. Required qualifications include at least two years of relevant litigation experience, Virginia Bar licensure or ability to waive into Virginia bar, and experience working with low-wealth communities. Salary range is $52,000 to $84,000, depending on relevant experience.
About the Position
LAJC seeks a full-time, experienced litigator for its education equity campaign, which seeks full and fair funding for Virginia’s public schools and high-quality educational opportunities for every child in the Commonwealth. Working as part of a team of attorneys, community organizers, and policy experts, the attorney will:
- Lead impact litigation aimed at improving education equity across the Commonwealth
- Advocate for education legislation, regulations, and policies that support young people, especially youth of color, those from low-wealth communities, and students with disabilities
- Partner with community organizers and grassroots leaders to develop and implement systems change initiatives
- Participate in various work groups, advisory groups, coalitions, etc., and attend community events
- Produce publications, including reports, issue briefs, fact sheets, op-eds, and blog posts
- Draft press releases, organize press conferences, and respond to media inquiries
- Utilize LAJC’s social media and action alert software
Location
Charlottesville, Richmond, or Falls Church
Start Date
December 2019, with some flexibility
Salary
Salary range is $52,000 to $82,000 based on years of relevant experience and LAJC’s formal salary scale. Staff located in the Falls Church office receive a $6,500 per year supplement to accommodate for the increase cost of living.
Benefits
- Generous leave
- Excellent family health insurance
- Loan repayment assistance
- 403(b) pension plan
Preferred
Qualifications
- At least five years of relevant litigation experience
- Familiarity with Virginia court practice
- Experience with impact litigation
- Expertise in education law and policy
- Experience with coalition building
- Comfort with technology and social media
- Experience with data analysis
- Diverse economic, social, and/or cultural experiences
Required Qualifications
- Virginia Bar licensure or ability to waive into the Virginia Bar
- Two years of relevant litigation experience
- Strong commitment to public interest law
- Experience working in low-wealth communities
- Outstanding oral advocacy, research, writing, organizational, and leadership skills
- Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively
- Reliable personal transportation and willingness to travel statewide occasionally
- Sense of humor
1000 Preston Ave., Ste A, Charlottesville, VA 22903 • (434) 977-0553
626 E. Broad St., Suite 200, Richmond, VA 23219 •
(804) 643-10866066 Leesburg Pike, Ste. 520, Falls Church, VA 22041 • (703) 778-3450
237 N. Sycamore St., Petersburg, VA 23803 • (804) 862-2205
Application Instructions
Email a cover letter, resume, three references, and a writing sample to Rachael Deane, Legal Director of LAJC’s JustChildren Program, at hiring@justice4all.org. The cover letter should highlight experience in building impact campaigns, including relevant litigation experience. The cover letter should also highlight any specialized skills, such as language fluency, data analysis, or technology skills.
The positions will be open until filled, but application review will begin on November 15, 2019. Questions? Contact Rachael Deane, JustChildren Legal Director, at rachael@justice4all.org or 804-521-7304.
The Legal Aid Justice Center is an equal opportunity employer, committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our work and staff. We strongly encourage candidates of all identities, experiences, and communities to apply. The Legal Aid Justice Center is committed to strengthening the voices of our low-income clients, working in collaboration with community partners, and rooting out the inequities that keep people in poverty. We strive to take on the issues that have broad impact on our client communities and to be responsive to client input. Recognizing the particular impact of racism on our clients and staff, we devote special attention to dismantling racial injustice. All applicants must be dedicated to working in and sustaining an environment that enables staff and clients to feel empowered, valued, respected, and safe. In reviewing applications, we look for evidence that applicants have experience and/or thoughtfulness in working with traditionally marginalized
populations.