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 w