Education Law Center

Education Law Center (ELC) seeks a
full-time attorney to join the organization’s legal, research and
communications team working across the country to enforce the education rights of public
school students under state and federal law.

Position Description

With a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation,
ELC plans to launch
a new model for providing legal assistance that enhances the efficacy of state-level
school funding and resource equity advocacy. The lawyer hired for this position
will lead that effort. The work will include partnering with state and local
organizations to evaluate and advise state school funding campaigns on the legal
implications of a variety of policy issues including, but not limited to: the need
for more resources to address COVID-19 impacts; proposed state funding cuts; proposed
uses of federal emergency relief funds; continuing underfunding in state education
budgets; proposed reforms to school funding formulas; the need for school
building improvements; the lack of services for students with disabilities and
English language learners; the impact on students of color and on districts and
schools segregated by race and poverty; and the proposed and actual diversion
of public school funds to private schools though voucher programs.  

The work will
prioritize state school funding campaigns participating in the Partnership
for Equity and Education Rights network and the Resource Equity Funders Collaborative. 

Job Responsibilities

The specific duties
include but are not limited to:

• Conducting legal analysis, research
  and investigation;
• Providing legal advice, guidance
  and opinions both internally and to state campaign partners;
• Recommending strategies and
  approaches for legal advocacy;
• Drafting letters, memoranda,
  comments and other documents;
• Providing assistance to local
  counsel and recruiting pro bono counsel;
• Presenting analyses and findings
  in webinars, meetings and other forums;
• Participating in PEER, REFC and other
  network meetings and convenings;
• Providing
  technical legal assistance to state level school funding campaigns;
• Coordinating attorneys at ELC and other organizations on
  litigation and other advocacy activities;

·       
Producing news articles, policy briefs and reports; and

·       
Building networks with those engaged in related work;

Qualifications

• A
  demonstrated commitment to racial justice and support for local leaders
  and community organizations to achieve their vision for public education.
• Ability
  to prioritize the leadership and voice of those most impacted by education
  inequity, including Black and Brown communities and low-wealth
  communities.
• Minimum
  of four years of legal practice experience beyond law school;
• Experience
  in civil rights, education law and/or policy;
• Excellent legal research and analytical skills;
• Excellent
  written and verbal communications skills, including social and other media;
• Excellent
  organizational, networking, and relationship-building skills;
• Demonstrated
  ability to work in collaboration across organizational boundaries to achieve
  agreed-upon goals; and
• Commitment
  to the mission of ELC.

 Salary and Benefits

Salary will be
commensurate with experience. Paid vacation and sick leave will be provided.
ELC’s benefit package includes medical, life, and dental insurance, as well as a
retirement savings program. There is a possibility for the person in this
position to work remotely

 How to apply

To apply, send a resume, cover
letter and two writing samples by email to:

Theresa Luhm at .

 Deadline

The
position will be open until filled.