Education Law Fellow

Position: Education Law Fellow

Department: Education Policy Center

Terms of Employment: Temporary Full-Time (2-year Fellowship, with the possibility of extension)/Exempt/Union 2320 position (NYCLU staff is currently working in a hybrid model; 8 days per month in-person days will be required)

Location: New York Civil Liberties Union, 55 Broadway, NY, NY 10006

Salary: $97,000 - $101,000 (Subject to the NYCLU's attorney salary scale, which is based on years of legal experience)

Application Deadline: June 30, 2025 (Applications will be considered until the position is filled)

The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) is one of the nation's leading advocates on behalf of constitutional rights and liberties. Founded in 1951, as the New York affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union, the NYCLU is a not-for-profit, nonpartisan organization with more than 90,000 members and supporters, and eight offices statewide. We work in the courts, in the legislatures and on the streets to advocate for racial and economic justice, free speech, freedom of religion, privacy and equality before the law for all New Yorkers. For more information, please visit our website: www.nyclu.org.

DEI VISION STATEMENT

The NYCLU affirmatively values the humanity and contributions of those we work with, inside and outside of the organization; and will take action to build and sustain an equitable, anti-racist culture that centers the voices and experiences of marginalized and directly impacted people and communities, and an organizational environment where all people feel valued, trusted, and respected. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and having a workforce that reflects the population that we serve and actively recruit people of color, women, people with disabilities, formerly incarcerated people, and LGBTQ and gender non-conforming people.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

The NYCLU seeks an experienced attorney (4+ years of legal experience since law school) to conduct litigation and related advocacy in the NYCLU's Education Policy Center. This is a two-year fellowship, with the possibility of extension.

The fellow will become an important voice for education policy in New York, with a focus on addressing and uplifting urgent issues: protecting students' civil rights and liberties, defending public education from existential attacks, combatting classroom censorship, protecting student privacy, and defending the rights of LGBTQ and immigrant children to attend safe and supportive schools.

This is an exciting role for someone who has recently completed fellowships and/or clerkships, or who is transitioning out of private practice into public interest. Not sure if you qualify? We encourage you to apply anyway and tell us why you're perfect for our team.

The NYCLU's Education Policy Center comprises of two lawyers, a program assistant, senior associate, two education strategists, data analyst, and a youth programs team. We work on a wide range of education issues in the legislature, in federal and state courts, and in administrative tribunals including proceedings before the Commissioner of Education. We also support the Racial Justice, communications and field organizing work of the NYCLU, and collaborate with the ACLU Nationwide office on education issues.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must have a J.D. and be admitted to practice law in New York, with four or more years of legal experience, especially direct litigation experience.
• This is a hybrid position based in New York City; candidates must be able to work in person in New York City eight days a month.
• Excellent writing, research, analytical, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated expertise in New York education law and policies.
• Ability to think strategically and advocate effectively, including an ability to initiate and follow through on public-interest litigation or advocacy.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a diverse public-interest setting and to foster and support diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.
• Some experience working with youth or families.
• Ability to work some nontraditional hours (nights or weekends) and to travel occasionally within New York State.
• Commitment to the goals and priorities of the NYCLU; and
• Fluency in Spanish is a plus for this position.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under direction of the Director, the Education Law Fellow will contribute to the planning, development, and execution of NYCLU's work to advance and defend civil liberties and civil rights in New York's education system, with a particular focus on student privacy, LGBTQ and immigrant students' rights, and defending public education from existential attacks.

Responsibilities include:

• Engaging in pre-litigation analysis and advocacy, including evaluating and following up on intakes; conducting factual investigations and legal analyses; utilizing the Freedom of Information Law and the Freedom of Information Act; and preparing demand letters.
• Conducting litigation in federal and state courts and in administrative forums. This work is performed in conjunction with the NYCLU's Legal Department, which supervises all litigation at NYCLU, and includes preparing pleadings, motions, and briefs; conducting discovery; presenting oral arguments; and handling appeals.
• Educating elected officials and the public on civil liberties and civil rights issues in the form of speaking engagements, media appearances, and published writings.
• Collaborate with leaders and staff across the NYCLU— including the Racial Justice Center, Policy, Communications, Legal and Field Departments —to ensure that the NYCLU has an integrated approach to address injustice.
• Supervise and mentor law students as part of the NYCLU summer-intern program and contribute to the professional development of other members of the team.
• Keeping abreast of developments in the law that have a potential to impact civil rights and liberties in education.
• Building and maintaining relationships with key advocacy organizations and community members, pro bono firms, and other allies.
• Lobbying government officials.
• Contributing research and drafting for testimony, reports, letters, and other written materials;
• Responding to requests for support and information from community members and elected officials, including requests for legal assistance.
• Other related duties as assigned.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your resume and cover letter that includes your unique qualifications for this position, and where or how you learned of this job posting via https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/Details/3342806/New-York-Civil-Liberties-Union-Foundation/Education-Law-Fellow

If feasible, please submit these materials as a single PDF.

The NYCLU is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, sex, gender identity or expression, age, disability, religion, national origin, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, record of arrest or conviction or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

The NYCLU is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please e-mail Director of Human Resources Lisa DeCicco at ldecicco@nyclu.org. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.

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