Job and Internship Opportunities

Staff Attorney– Education Law Program

Council for Children’s Rights (CFCR) seeks a full-time staff attorney for the Education Law Program (ELP). CFCR protects and advances the legal rights and development of children through individual representation, community education, and by addressing community-wide issues through systems advocacy, research, and policy work. ELP provides direct legal representation and works to address systemic issues to advance the education rights of students, especially students with disabilities, students who are court-involved, and students facing school exclusionary practices. We seek a team member who is committed to addressing educational inequity and thrives in a collegial and dynamic team environment.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

The staff attorney will be a key member of CFCR’s Education Law Program, reporting directly to the Director of ELP. Responsibilities include:

• Providing high-quality, direct legal representation to individual clients in school discipline, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504, and other education-related matters. Examples of case activities include:
  • Attending Individualized Education Program (IEP) and Section 504 meetings, mediations, school discipline proceedings, and other appearances, as necessary
  • Drafting demand letters, due process petitions, state complaints, Office for Civil Rights complaints, and other legal documents and pleadings
  • Negotiating with opposing counsel to attempt to resolve client legal matters
• Adhering to program policies and protocols, including maintaining complete and accurate records in the agency’s case management system
• Conducting activities for the education and training of partners, professionals, staff, and members of the public
• Cultivating and maintaining relationships with other community organizations that align with ELP’s work and policy initiatives
• Participating, as appropriate, in community coalitions and task forces
• Adhering to a race-equity lens in performing all duties and responsibilities
• Supporting the philanthropic activities of the agency as needed
• Performing other duties and responsibilities as needed to support the mission of CFCR

Ideal Candidate Profile

The following list contains experience and skills that the ideal candidate will possess. We encourage you to apply if you have most of the experience and skills listed:

• D. degree from an accredited law school
• Good standing to practice law in North Carolina or willingness to become licensed in North Carolina
• A minimum of 1+ years of experience, utilizing a variety of advocacy strategies
• Demonstrated commitment to public interest law, civil rights, and social justice
• Substantive experience and knowledge of education law
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills
• Cultural humility as shown through demonstrated openness to self-reflection and commitment to understanding and respecting other cultural experiences and points of view and viewing individuals as experts on their culture and experience
• Commitment to elevating the voices of young people
• Excellent litigation, legal research, analysis, fact investigation, drafting, and editing skills
• Clear and persuasive oral and written communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple, complex tasks
• Ability to work well independently and as a member of a highly-collaborative team
• Knowledge of computers and technology: proficient in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and audio/visual and conference calling technology (e.g., Zoom)
• Proficiency in written and spoken Spanish preferred

How to Apply:

To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume on our hiring portal here. Applications that do not include both a cover letter and resume will not be considered. No calls or emails please.

The Agency’s policy is to provide equal opportunity in all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment for all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, disability or veteran status