Senior Staff Attorney – Youth and Education Rights

Champion the Rights of Youth with Disabilities Nationwide

Are you a passionate advocate for equity, inclusion, and justice for children and youth with disabilities? The National Disability Rights Network (NDRN)—the nation’s largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to protecting and advancing the rights of individuals with disabilities—is seeking a Senior Staff Attorney – Youth and Education Rights to join our dynamic legal team.

This is more than a legal role—it’s an opportunity to shape systems that determine whether young people with disabilities are educated, supported, and empowered to thrive in their communities. You’ll work at the intersection of education, child welfare, and juvenile justice, advancing the rights of youth to inclusive education, community-based supports, and protection from inappropriate institutional placement.

Who We Are & Why Join Us

At NDRN, we believe that every young person with a disability deserves the chance to learn, grow, and succeed in inclusive settings. NDRN serves as the nonprofit membership organization representing the federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) and Client Assistance Program (CAP) agencies in every U.S. state and territory, as well as the Native American Disability Law Center in the four corners region.

Together, this nationwide network is a driving force for equal opportunity, self-determination, and access to justice for people with disabilities of all ages.

By joining NDRN, you will:

• • Work with passionate advocates and attorneys nationwide to uphold the educational and civil rights of children and youth with disabilities.
  • Help shape national legal and policy strategies that expand inclusion and dismantle systemic barriers.
  • Partner with federal agencies, state programs, and national coalitions to strengthen advocacy and reform systems that affect youth with disabilities.
  • Be part of a collaborative, mission-driven organization that values innovation, impact, and inclusion.

At NDRN, your work won’t just change laws—it will change lives.

What You Will Do:

• • Provide legal technical assistance on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and related federal and state statutes, regulations, and guidance.
  • Support advocacy efforts addressing the placement of children and youth with disabilities in juvenile justice or child welfare residential or institutional settings.
  • Advise on legal issues affecting children with disabilities in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, including access to education, services and community- based supports.
  • Develop and deliver accessible training programs for attorneys, advocates, and stakeholders.
  • Monitor legal and policy developments and conduct legal analysis to inform advocacy strategies.
  • Create legal resources and guidance documents for the Network.
  • Collaborate with P&As, federal partners, and national coalitions to advance systemic reform.

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school; licensed and in good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• Minimum 7 years of legal experience, including litigation and/or policy advocacy in disability rights, civil rights, juvenile or dependency law.
• At least 4 years of cumulative direct experience representing clients in federal civil litigation and/or IDEA administrative hearings.
• Strong knowledge of disability and education law, including IDEA, Section 504, ADA, and laws governing child welfare and juvenile justice.
• Experience working with or representing children and youth with disabilities.
• Excellent legal research, writing, and advocacy skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• • Experience in systemic litigation or policy advocacy.
  • Experience advocating for children and youth with disabilities.
  • Familiarity with institutional oversight, accreditation standards, or state-level service systems.
  • Experience developing and delivering training to adult learners.

Location & Work Environment

Washington, D.C. – Remote. Occasional travel and weekend work, as needed.

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary Range: $100,000 - $110,000
• Benefits: competitive salary commensurate with experience and a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off and holidays, retirement plan options, and a flexible work environment.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to:

David Hutt, Director of Legal Services via email or US Postal Service:

• Email documents to: LegalUnitPosition@ndrn.org. Please include “Senior Staff Attorney – Youth and Education Rights” in the subject line.
• Mail Documents to: National Disability Rights Network, 820 First Street, NE, Suite 740, Washington, DC 20002.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and will be accepted until Friday, November 14, 2025.

Candidates selected for an interview will be required to submit a writing sample.

Reasonable Accommodations:

NDRN provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please notify us at hr@ndrn.org.

NDRN is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, and we prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind and fully complies with all federal, District of Columbia, and applicable state employment laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended. Individuals with Disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Benefits: competitive salary commensurate with experience and a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off and holidays, retirement plan options, and a flexible work environment.