Staff Attorney

JOB SUMMARY:

AJE seeks a staff attorney: to lead the assessment of request for assistance; provide direct legal services to protect the civil and human rights of children in DC to an appropriate education based on family-led goals; help increase the knowledge and capacity of families to advocate through Know Your Rights training; and to work in collaboration with families, coalition partners, and other stakeholders to bring about systemic changes that will eliminate barriers and disparities and create a just education and health systems in DC.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assess client intakes for appropriate services (advice and counsel, brief services, or extended services); Provide direct advocacy on critical cases involving rights in accessing public education; Analyze and determine AJE’s case strategy to ensure effective and successful negotiation and litigation.
• Work as a team with families to assess individualized needs and to set goals; Represent students and families in the disciplinary hearing process, in matters involving legal rights to special education services (from early intervention to post-secondary transition), and other legal rights to accessing public education; maintain and update electronic case records; collect data and prepare monthly reports on client matters.
• Conduct training on legal rights to parents, youth, community members, and professionals, and assist in providing in-service training to staff.
• Contribute to the monthly newsletter, websites, and other publications.
• Participate in groups or coalitions related to direct advocacy and support of families in educational and other related matters.
• Participate in organizational outreach efforts and develop relationships within the community.
• Educate and share observations with decision-making bodies.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A member of the District of Columbia Bar or another state bar and eligible to waive in with pending bar admission.
• 1-5 years of relevant legal experience, including experience in family support advocacy, administrative or court proceedings, clinical experience, or a combination of experience and education.
• A demonstrated commitment to public interest, and social, racial, and educational justice.
• Must exemplify positive leadership and independence.
• Must possess strong legal, organizational, oral, and written communication skills.
• Must have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with diverse communities, families, staff, partners, and other community stakeholders.
• Must demonstrate an ability to handle multiple tasks and prioritize workload.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Familiarity with the unique challenges facing DC communities
• Experience working within the DC legal services community
• Fluent in Spanish

Benefits include employer-contributed medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid basic life insurance, 401k with employer contribution, paid annual and sick leave, and federal/local holidays off. Also, the DC Bar Foundation offers a Loan Repayment Assistance Program to qualified AJE attorneys, providing renewable one-year, interest-free, forgivable loans, of up to $12,000 per year. For more information, see https:/dcbarfoundation.org/lrap/.