About NYLAG:
Founded in 1990, NYLAG is a leading civil legal services organization combating economic, racial, and social injustice by advocating for people experiencing poverty or in crisis. Our services include comprehensive, free civil legal services, financial empowerment, impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community partnerships. NYLAG exists because wealth should not determine who has access to justice. We aim to disrupt systemic racism by serving individuals and families whose legal and financial crises are often rooted in racial inequality. NYLAG goes to where the need is, providing services in more than 150 community sites (e.g. courts, hospitals, libraries) and on our Mobile Legal Help Center. During COVID-19, most of our services were virtual to keep our community safe. NYLAG’s staff of 380 impacted the lives of nearly 129,000 people last year.
Job description
The Special Education Unit (SEU), a division of the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG), is seeking a temporary staff attorney with demonstrated commitment to public interest law, as well as a strong interest in ensuring that school-aged children with special needs receive the free appropriate public education (FAPE) guaranteed them pursuant to federal and New York State law. SEU emphasizes the need to educate parents of their rights, and to advocate on their behalf when the New York City Department of Education (DOE) fails to provide their children with a FAPE. The Temporary Staff Attorney will report to a Supervising Attorney in SEU.
Duties and Responsibilities
The attorney will be responsible for, among other things: filing Due Process Complaints; attending impartial hearings; filing appeals to the State Review Office and federal court when necessary; negotiating stipulations of settlement with the DOE; and participating in meetings to develop Individualized Education Programs.
Qualifications
- J.D.; Admission to New York State Bar preferred
- At least 1 year prior experience.
- Demonstrated interest in Special Education Law
- Strong legal research, writing, communication and advocacy skills
- Ability to work collaboratively with SEU colleagues
- Eagerness to learn and grow as an advocate for disabled children
- Experience working with low-income and special needs communities
NYLAG’s Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
NYLAG is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, immigrants, veterans, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people, and those with lived experiences in the communities we serve are strongly encouraged to apply.
Employment type:
☒ Temporary
Professional Level: ☒ Professional
Salary Range: NYLAG is a unionized workplace, and salaries are set pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement. The current salary range for this position is between $79,045 - $84,452.
Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401k, life insurance, long term disability, commuter benefits, flexible spending accounts (FSA) for Medical and Dependent care.
Application Instructions: Please save resume and cover letter on one pdf.
Covid Vaccination Policy:Please note, to safeguard the health and well-being of our employees and clients, NYLAG requires all employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, unless a medical or religious exemption is approved.
NYLAG is committed to a hybrid work policy for staff whose work does not require their full-time presence in the office. NYLAG’s current policy is that most staff are required to work in NYLAG’s offices or do other in-person work at least two days each week. This policy is subject to change. |