Staff Attorney

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 be representing 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