Staff Attorney - Education Advocacy Program

Job Description

Job Description

The James B. Moran Center for Youth Advocacy (“Moran Center”) seeks an individual to join our Education Advocacy Program (EAP) as a staff attorney. In 2008, the Moran Center originally established the EAP to advocate for appropriate school-based supports and services for our clients involved within the criminal justice system. The EAP has since expanded to include children without involvement in the criminal justice system and now also serves as an integral part of the Moran Center’s prevention work to disrupt the school-to-prison / poverty-to-prison pipelines. The Moran Center represents children in Evanston/Skokie School District 65 and Evanston Township High School District 202 ranging in age from 3 to 22 years old. EPA has served families transitioning from early intervention programming to pre-school programming, to children with autism struggling to make yearly progress in middle school, to high school students facing expulsion because their learning disabilities had never been addressed.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Conduct Intakes:

• Conduct new client intakes over the phone;
• Create profile for new intakes in LegalServer case management system;
• Create and maintain files for potential clients including getting signed release forms and a signed retainer;
• Present new intakes at the weekly education team meeting. Direct Advocacy of Students:
• Request school and appropriate medical records for new cases;
• Perform student records review;
• Prepare for upcoming IEP and 504 plan meetings and expulsion hearings including but not limited to conducting legal research, organizing files and records, and preparing a checklist for upcoming meetings;
• Advocate for clients at IEP, 504, school discipline, and other school-related meetings;
• Draft client correspondence;
• Collaborate with mental health, educational, and medical experts in determining appropriate school-based supports and services for clients;
• Research school placement, evaluator, and compensatory education options;
• Provide client representation in administrative hearings and litigation by conducting research, drafting complaints, replies, and legal briefs;
• Work collaboratively with the Moran Center social work team to provide integrated legal and social work services;
• Accompany clients to related appointments and offer general community support in navigating complex systems;
• Direct representation in mediation, due process hearing or in federal court.

Community meetings and policy advocacy:

• Attend and report back on school board meetings discussing relevant content to the education practice;
• Provide trainings and/or informational sessions on educational topics to a variety of audiences;
• Research policy topics as appropriate and assist in drafting advocacy letters related to policy initiatives.

Professional licensure and development:

• Complete continuing legal education (CLE) credits as required to maintain law licensure in Illinois;
• Participate in relevant professional development provided to Moran Center staff;
• Participate in education-specific professional development as offered in community venues and as is appropriate;
• Attend monthly staff meetings and weekly education team meetings

QUALIFICATIONS:

• J.D from an accredited law school and current Illinois bar membership in good standing
• Have at least 2-5 years of legal experience in Education Law/Advocacy
• Familiarity with trauma informed and culturally aware legal services
• Bilingual - English/Spanish preferred
• Passion for social justice, working to advance the vision of more just, racially equitable, and restorative society.

SALARY: $65,000 - $80,000 annualized salary, which reflects 0-10 years of paid, credited experience.

BENEFITS:

• Healthcare for employees, their spouse and/or children, including dental and vision.
• Flexible spending account (FSA) for qualified expenditures, including for health care and childcare.
• 403B/Roth retirement saving plan with employer match.
• Generous paid leave (vacation, sick, wellness, holidays and winter break)
• Paid Maternal/Paternal/Family Leave.
• Cell phone and technology reimbursement.
• Eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• Supportive, team-based environment and commitment to ongoing professional development.

TO APPLY:

Interested parties should send their resume, cover letter, and writing sample to Director of Operations, Shirley Kuzmanic-Galan at [email protected]

Moran Center will continue accepting applications for the position until filled.

The Moran Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer: People of color, women, persons with disabilities, the elderly, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender, and Veterans are welcomed and encouraged to apply. We believe that a diversity of experiences and backgrounds is fundamental to achieving our mission.

For over 40 years, The Moran Center for Youth Advocacy’s mission has been to provide free, integrated legal and social work services to low-income youth and their families to improve their quality of life at home, at school, and within the community. We believe that all children deserve justice in the courtroom, access to the classroom, and support in the community to thrive. Through legal representation, advocacy, trauma-informed therapy, and community outreach, we zealously work to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline which disproportionately drives youth who are poor, of color or with disabilities out of school and into broken institutions.

Company Description

For over 40 years, The Moran Center for Youth Advocacy’s mission has been to provide free, integrated legal and social work services to low-income youth and their families to improve their quality of life at home, at school, and within the community. We believe that all children deserve justice in the courtroom, access to the classroom, and support in the community to thrive. Through legal representation, advocacy, trauma-informed therapy, and community outreach, we zealously work to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline which disproportionately drives youth who are poor, of color or with disabilities out of school and into broken institutions.