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Staff Attorney
$84k - $91k USD
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.
AFC grounds our work in our organization’s values:
- Family-Centered: We listen to what families want for their children and empower them with information and support.
- Expertise: We ground our advocacy in more than 50 years of experience with the NYC public schools and deep knowledge of the legal and education systems affecting the students and families we serve.
- Passion: We are united by our unrelenting drive to dismantle obstacles to education and our unwavering dedication to NYC’s students and families.
- Community: We foster collaboration and inclusive practices within our team and with outside partners so we can learn from different perspectives and unite in advancing our common goals.
- Justice: We view the law as a powerful tool to bridge gaps in access to education and help families from under-represented communities fight for their rights.
- Impact: We recognize that our value lies in the difference we make in the lives of students and their families and push ourselves to achieve concrete results.
For more information on AFC, see www.advocatesforchildren.org.
Job Summary
AFC seeks an energetic Staff Attorney determined to make a difference for NYC families struggling to gain appropriate educational services for their children in the country’s largest school district during an unparalleled time of difficulty for low-income families of children with disabilities.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
The focus of this Staff Attorney position will berepresenting families with children with disabilities in administrative proceedings in order to obtain services that are the difference maker in a child’s future.The day-to-day responsibilities of this position include conducting intake, reviewing school records and psychological evaluations, engaging with and advocating before school staff, and exploring schools and services that may serve as potential remedies. The Staff Attorney will draft and file due process complaints that culminate in special education hearings, where the attorney will present and argue the student’s case through evidence and witness testimony, and any legal briefing required to prevail.
This position will report to the Director of Project Thrive.
Qualifications
- Understanding of and alignment with AFC’s mission. Please review AFC’s work at advocatesforchildren.org
- Law degree required and admission to the NYS bar preferred
- 0-3 years litigation experience preferred
- Demonstrated commitment to serving the public interest
- Experience with and/or knowledge of low-income and disability communities, education, civil rights
- 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 and collaboratively
- Ability to maintain accurate and up-to-date client files and records
- Desire to learn, both as an individual and as part of an organization, and apply diversity, equity, and anti-racism principles
- Spanish fluency preferred
How to Apply
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.
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis starting June 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 $83,899 - $91,036, 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 offers a 403(b) plan with a fully vested employer match and coverage of the premium cost of life insurance and short-term and long-term disability insurance.
AFC is an equal opportunity employer that actively seeks to recruit and retain a diverse staff and encourages all applications including 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. For more information and to request an accommodation, contact Human Resources at HR@advocatesforchildren.org.