IDRA Staff Attorney – Position Description

IDRA is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to achieve equal educational opportunity through strong public schools that prepare all students to access and succeed in college. Since 1973, IDRA has brought research, policy expertise, community knowledge and legal advocacy together to advance the civil rights of students and families.

IDRA seeks to expand the capacity and impact of its legal team to protect students’ rights amid rapidly changing state and federal education policy. We are looking for a dynamic staff attorney to engage in legal advocacy alongside families, young people, community advocates, attorneys and organizational partners working to advance education justice.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience in movement lawyering, community lawyering or other community-centered approaches to legal advocacy. This may include experience working alongside organizers and directly impacted communities; developing legal strategies responsive to community-defined priorities; supporting campaigns for systemic change; and using litigation, administrative advocacy and policy work as complementary tools within broader movements for justice.

Potential responsibilities of the staff attorney may include:

Monitoring high-impact education law developments in state and federal courts and agencies and assessing their implications for students, families, schools and communities
Supporting and expanding IDRA’s coalition amicus advocacy, including identifying strategic cases, conducting legal and factual research, drafting briefs, coordinating amici and working with counsel and community partners
Conducting legal intakes and coordinating referrals involving education-related civil rights issues and identifying patterns that may inform broader legal, policy or community advocacy
Developing legal strategies in partnership with affected communities, recognizing students and families as experts in the systems and conditions that affect their lives
Creating and presenting know-your-rights trainings and accessible legal resources for students, families, educators, advocates and community organizations
Researching and drafting model education policies designed to protect students’ civil rights and promote safe, welcoming and equitable schools
Training and coordinating volunteer attorneys, law students and community advocates supporting IDRA’s legal advocacy
Providing legal counsel to IDRA’s policy and advocacy teams, including analyses of legislation, regulations, agency actions and emerging legal issues
Supporting community-centered responses to civil rights violations, including identifying administrative, policy, litigation and other advocacy strategies that may provide relief to individual students while addressing systemic problems
Representing IDRA in state, regional and national coalitions dedicated to civil rights, education justice and strong public schools

Experience and Qualifications

We seek an individual with a proven track record who shares our views that no child is expendable and communities must have a voice in the laws and policies that most impact them. Applicants should understand systemic change and the current state and federal education policy and legal landscape.

Required Qualifications

J.D. or equivalent from an accredited law school and admission to a state bar, with eligibility to practice in Texas or ability to obtain appropriate authorization;
At least two years of experience in civil rights, education law or policy, public interest legal practice, or related legal advocacy;
Strong legal research, analysis and writing skills;
Commitment to IDRA’s mission of advancing education justice and to advocating for strong, inclusive public schools;
Ability to work collaboratively across legal, policy, research, communications and community engagement teams; and
Ability to build trusting relationships with families, community organizations, coalition partners, attorneys and advocates.

Preferred Qualifications and Experiences

Experience translating complex legal issues for non-lawyer audiences;
Experience creating student-centered and community-informed legal resources;
Demonstrated ability to work respectfully and collaboratively with young people, families and communities directly affected by educational inequity;
Experience and/or fluency in movement lawyering or related community-centered advocacy principles;
Experience supervising or coordinating law students, pro bono attorneys or volunteers;
Experience with federal civil rights statutes affecting students, including Title VI, Title IX, the Equal Educational Opportunities Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Section 504 and related protections;
Spanish-language proficiency or experience working effectively with multilingual communities.

Compensation

Minimum salary is $75,000. Compensation is commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Location

The ideal candidate will be located in or near central Texas. IDRA will consider applicants seeking a virtual or hybrid work environment but will give strong preference to a person located in central Texas (San Antonio or Austin metro areas).

Application Process

To apply, submit the following:

Completed application form
Letter of interest
Curriculum vita or resumé
Contact information for three professional references

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

IDRA is an equal opportunity employer.

Employment Opportunities at IDRA