Staff Attorney, Charter Schools

Advocates For Children (AFC) is a dynamic social justice organization that strives to ensure a high-quality education for New York students who face barriers to academic success, focusing on students from low-income backgrounds. AFC works on behalf of children and youth who are at greatest risk of academic failure due to poverty, race, ethnicity, disability, homelessness, immigration status/limited English proficiency, or involvement in the child welfare or juvenile/criminal legal systems. We use uniquely integrated strategies to advance systemic reform, empower families and communities, and advocate for the educational rights of individual students. For more information on AFC, see www.advocatesforchildren.org. 

JOB SUMMARY

AFC seeks a dedicated Staff Attorney to provide legal representation and advocacy for families experiencing school-related difficulties such as inappropriate special education placements and services, enrollment issues, or school discipline, with a concentration on charter school practice, serving as AFC’s subject matter expert and point person on charter schools. This attorney will provide trainings and workshops to parents, professionals, and youth on a variety of education-related topics, with a focus on the rights of students at charter schools and will advocate for policy reform with respect to charter school issues. 

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

DIRECT REPRESENTATION: The attorney will advocate for students who are in need of special education supports, are in danger of being suspended or expelled, or are experiencing discrimination in their charter schools. As part of this advocacy, the attorney will provide families with information on their rights in charter schools; facilitate referrals for evaluations; participate in school meetings; advocate to school and New York City Department of Education administrators; identify appropriate school placements and services for students; and represent families at special education administrative hearings and suspension/expulsion hearings. 

The day-to-day responsibilities of administrative hearing representation include conducting intake, reviewing school records and psychological evaluations, attending school meetings and speaking to relevant parties in the student’s life, and researching and visiting schools and services that may serve as potential remedies. 

After a request for a hearing is drafted and filed, the attorney will negotiate settlement or litigate at a hearing, where the attorney will execute the opening statement, witness testimony, closing argument, and legal briefing required to prevail. 

POLICY ADVOCACY: The attorney will work on systemic advocacy efforts regarding charter schools, including efforts related to special education and discipline of students at charter schools. 

OUTREACH AND TRAINING: Through the development of materials and presentations, the attorney will educate parents and charter school staff about parents’ and students’ rights in charter schools with a focus on rights related to special education and discipline. The attorney will also provide technical assistance to other attorneys and advocates who represent students in charter school discipline, special education, or discrimination matters. 

QUALIFICATIONS

• Understanding of and alignment with AFC’s mission. Please review AFC’s work at advocatesforchildren.org  

• A Juris Doctor degree  

• Admission to the NY State bar preferred 

• One to two years litigation experience preferred 

• Demonstrated commitment to serving the public interest 

• Experience and/or knowledge of education, school discipline, disability, or general civil rights law is strongly preferred 

• Excellent oral and written communication skills 

• Strong research, analytical, and problem-solving skills 

• Ability to engage across cultures, identities, and ethnicities 

• Ability to engage and build relationships with a variety of stakeholders, including parents, community partners, and school staff  

• Organized, detail oriented, flexible, and able to work independently 

• Collaborative approach to working with teammates and partners 

• Desire to learn, both as an individual and as part of an organization, and apply diversity, equity, and anti-racism principles  

• Proficiency in a language other than English, especially Spanish, preferred 

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Candidates must submit a resume and cover letter highlighting why they are interested in this role at AFC and how their experience aligns with the Staff Attorney position, including any personal or professional experience that demonstrates their connection to the populations AFC serves. Candidates selected for interviews must provide contact information for three references. 

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis starting February 2025. This position would start as soon as possible. Due to the high volume of applicants, only complete applications from qualified candidates will be contacted. No phone calls please. 

COMPENSATION

This is a full-time position, with a salary in the range of $78,280 - $86,572, depending on experience, and includes a comprehensive benefits package.  

This position is expected to work at least 2 days a week in the office and remotely on the remaining days. 

ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION INFORMATION

AFC’s current compensation package includes medical and dental insurance, with a plan option that covers full payment of medical plan premiums for staff and their qualified dependents. AFC has generous time-off policies that include 10 federal holidays, office closure between Christmas and New Year’s Day, and 15 vacation days and 15 paid time off days in the first year of employment.  AFC also currently offers a 403(b) plan with a fully vested employer match and coverage of the premium cost of life insurance, short-term disability insurance, and long-term disability insurance. 

AFC is an affirmative action employer that actively seeks to recruit and retain a diverse staff and especially encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, parents of persons with disabilities, persons of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or gender expressions and persons of diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. AFC is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability or other protected characteristic. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. To request accommodations, please email HR@advocatesforchildren.org.