Staff Attorney

About NYLAG:

Founded in 1990, NYLAG is a leading civil legal services organization combatting economic, racial, and social injustice by advocating for people experiencing poverty or in crisis. Our services include comprehensive, free civil legal services, financial empowerment, impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community partnerships. NYLAG exists because wealth should not determine who has access to justice. We aim to disrupt systemic racism by serving individuals and families whose legal and financial crises are often rooted in racial inequality. NYLAG goes to where the need is, providing services in more than 150 community sites (e.g. courts, hospitals, libraries) and on our Mobile Legal Help Center. NYLAG’s staff of over 400 impacted the lives of nearly 129, 000 people last year.

Job description

The Special Education Unit (SEU), a division of the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG), is seeking a Staff Attorney with a strong interest in ensuring that school-aged children with special needs receive the free appropriate public education (FAPE) guaranteed them pursuant to federal and New York State law. SEU emphasizes the need to educate parents of their rights, and to advocate on their behalf when the New York City Department of Education (DOE) fails to provide their children with a FAPE. The Staff Attorney will report to SEU’s Director.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Staff Attorney’s work will focus on obtaining independent educational evaluations and compensatory services for students that have not received appropriate special education services. The Attorney will be responsible for, among other things: conducting intake calls and providing advice to parents on special education related matters; drafting and filing legal documents including due process complaints, ten day notice letters, demand letters, and legal memoranda; representing families at impartial hearings; negotiating resolutions and stipulations of settlement with the DOE; preparing, submitting, and negotiating attorney fees applications; participating in meetings to develop Individualize Education Programs; conducting parent and community-focused trainings on special education; conducting legal research; and assisting with appeals to the State Review Office and federal court as necessary. In addition, the Attorney will attend internal staff meetings and meetings with partner agencies, participate in relevant internal and external coalitions and task forces, mentor legal interns, volunteers, and pro bono attorneys, complete administrative duties including updating NYLAG case management systems and maintaining and updating files and case notes, as well as assisting in grant reporting as needed, and other duties as needed.

Qualifications

• J.D. required;
• At least 1 year prior legal experience;
• Experience working with communities and individuals experiencing poverty and with special needs;
• Admission to New York State Bar preferred;
• Foreign language ability preferred;
• Interest in Special Education Law;
• Eagerness to learn and grow as an advocate for children with disabilities;
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing gender, racial, and social justice;
• Ability to work collaboratively, communicate effectively, manage multiple tasks, and creatively problem solve;
• Excellent written, oral and analytical skills; and
• Strong organizational skills.

NYLAG’s Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

NYLAG is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, immigrants, veterans, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people, and those with lived experiences in the communities we serve are strongly encouraged to apply.

Employment type:

☒ Full-time

Professional Level:

☒ Professional

Salary Range:

NYLAG is a unionized workplace, and salaries are set pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement. The current salary range for this position is between $88,265.00-$97,132.00.

Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401k, life insurance, long term disability, commuter benefits, flexible spending accounts (FSA) for Medical and Dependent care.

Application Instructions: Please save resume and cover letter on one pdf.

Covid Vaccination Policy: Please note, to safeguard the health and well-being of our employees and clients, NYLAG requires all employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, unless a medical or religious exemption is approved.

NYLAG is committed to a hybrid work policy for staff whose work does not require their full-time presence in the office. NYLAG’s current policy is that most staff are required to work in NYLAG’s offices or do other in-person work at least two days each week. This policy is subject to change.