Job Details

About the Legal Aid Justice Center: The Legal Aid Justice Center is a nationally recognized, non-profit organization that partners with low-income clients and communities of color in Virginia to fight for racial, social, and economic justice. We understand that the harms our clients endure are inextricably linked to overarching systems of injustice. Together we are dismantling those systems through a combination of community organizing, litigation, policy advocacy, public relations, and individual legal services. Founded in 1967, LAJC has offices in Charlottesville, Richmond, Petersburg, and Falls Church and provides services under six key program areas: Civil Rights & Racial Justice (focuses on the criminal legal system), Housing & Consumer Justice, Youth Justice, Health Justice & Public Benefits, Immigrant Justice, and Worker Justice. As examples of LAJC's recent work, our lawsuit and organizing against the state forced reform of Virginia's unemployment insurance system, including advocacy that resulted in the distribution of over $1 billion in illegally withheld payments to over 160,000 Virginians. During the pandemic, we demanded and secured a statewide eviction moratorium and emergency pandemic protections that helped hundreds of families avoid eviction. We reduced incarceration across the state, including reducing the population of a local immigration detention center down to historically low levels through a coordinated effort of organizing paired with impact and individual litigation. Our staff are on the front lines of some of the most important anti-poverty fights happening today. With a staff of over 90, the past few years have been a time of exciting growth and opportunity for the organization. In addition to the growth of programmatic efforts including increased organizing capacity, LAJC has expanded its operations and administrative capacity, created new opportunities for professional growth and leadership among staff, engaged in ongoing race equity work, and explored changes to organizational structure to deepen its efforts to create long-term, sustainable, community-driven change. About the Position: The Legal Aid Justice Center seeks an Attorney who specializes in education or juvenile court system, advocacy for its Youth Justice Program in our Petersburg or Norfolk office. Although the Legal Aid Justice Center has multiple office locations, this position is based exclusively in our Petersburg or Norfolk offices. This role will be cross-posted, and applicants need apply to only one job requisition. A brief questionnaire is included to indicate your preferred office location (Petersburg or Norfolk). The Attorney will work closely with Organizers, families, community members, local organizations, statewide partners, and other LAJC advocates to identify and track systemic problems affecting our communities. The Attorney is expected to assist in addressing these problems through a combination of individual advice and representation, as well as impact litigation, community outreach, engagement and education, and state and local policy advocacy. The exact mix of duties will depend on the skills and interests of the person hired, as well as the needs of the program at that time. The position will maintain a practice that primarily involves advising, representing, and advocating for families and youth on issues related to education access and equity, discrimination in schools, and juvenile court involvement. Additionally, the position has the potential to include cross program work and may also involve in advocacy related to mental health and disability law, housing instability, immigration, and family preservation as intersectional and holistic components of our work. Depending on experience and capacity, the Attorney may also be expected to work to build capacity for client representation and advice through coordinating pro bono attorneys, volunteers, and referral network, as well as building self-advocacy capacity through resource development. Job Duties : Provide advice and counsel to system-involved youth and their families and/or to individuals and community groups on education issues (including special education, school discipline, enrollment, and school-based discrimination). Represent youth in individual cases in administrative proceedings, school discipline hearings, and before state and federal courts. Work alongside organizers and community members to build and implement impact advocacy campaigns in alignment with the Youth Justice Program's core priorities. Advocate for legislation, regulations, and policies that support young people, especially youth of color, those from under-resourced communities, and students with disabilities. Participate in various work groups, coalitions, etc., and attend community events. As needed, produce publications including fact sheets, issue briefs, reports, and op-eds. Assist with advocacy communications efforts, e.g., drafting press releases, responding to media inquiries, and drafting content for social media. When appropriate, support and/or lead impact litigation in state and federal court. Provide subject matter expertise and technical assistance as needed to internal policy advocates and organizers, and community partners. Assist with the coordination of cases for pro-bono partners. Racial Equity: Promote racial equity across all dimensions, including withing LAJC, by doing the following: Helping to recruit, retain, and support both staff and leadership that reflect the racial composition of our community; Cultivating respect for the work of and expanding resources for non-attorney staff that are disproportionately people of color; Creating spaces for staff to discuss issues of racial, gender, and all other issues of marginalization; and Pushing for institutional and cultural changes by management, the board, and staff to further promote racial equity. Required Qualifications : Strong commitment to social, economic, and racial justice. Relevant experience working in education, juvenile court, or other child-serving areas of law. Professional or lived experience advocating in under-resourced communities. Outstanding oral advocacy, research, writing, and leadership skills. Ability to work effectively across multiple teams. Ability to communicate effectively across multiple teams. Willingness to travel statewide occasionally. Preferred Qualifications : Membership in the Virginia State Bar, or eligibility and willingness to become a member of the VSB promptly – either by passing the bar exam, or meeting requirements to “waive” into bar membership without taking the bar exam. (Note: this position may be eligible for the newly enacted Virginia Supreme Court rule allowing for any attorney working exclusively for a legal aid organization to practice without examination as long as they are in good standing in another state). At least two (2) years of relevant experience working in education, juvenile court, or other child-serving areas of law Expertise in one or more of the Youth Justice Program's core issue areas, including education access or youth decriminalization. Familiarity with community lawyering approaches and/or youth organizing Experience with impact advocacy, particularly discrimination claims. Experience with special education advocacy and/or school discipline hearings. Location: This role will be based in our Petersburg, or Norfolk offices. Occasional travel between offices will be required. Although a regular presence in the office is required, LAJC offers a remote work policy to support employees in co-creating schedules and arrangements that allow us all to do our best work. A Note to Potential Candidates : Studies have shown that women, trans, non-binary folks, and BIPOC are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every single one of the qualifications as described in a job description. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization, and strongly encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of the qualifications described. Application Review Date : We'll start reviewing applications after Friday, February 13. While our review process can take some time, this doesn't mean you're not being considered—please be patient as we carefully evaluate each candidate. We'll continue to accept and review applications until the position is filled. Application Instructions : Complete the online application. This position requires a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and contact information for three references. Please address the cover letter to the hiring manager, Chelsea Torrey, but submit all materials through the online application system. We will not contact references without advance consent from candidates. This role will be cross-posted, and applicants need apply to only one job requisition. A brief questionnaire is included to indicate your preferred office location (Petersburg or Norfolk). Salary : The salary scale for this position is $69,565.18 -$93,147.78 based on the LAJC salary scale. To allow for salary growth within the position over time, the anticipated hiring range for this position is between $69,565.18 - $81,356.48. Benefits : Our mission is compelling, and our team members are passionate about their work, and so we recognize the need to provide generous benefits and encourage rest and a healthy work environment. For example, we provide: Generous paid time off every year, including 3 to 6 weeks of vacation, 12 days of health leave, 16 weeks parental leave, and 14 holidays (not including bonus holidays/rest days allocated as needed) 100% employer paid health, dental, and vision insurance, plus excellent family insurance with annual max of $2,400 premium contribution to LAJC-sponsored health plan 403(b) retirement plan with 4% employer contribution (no required match) Strong commitment to professional development Student loan repayment assistance program Relocation package The Legal Aid Justice Center is an equal opportunity employer, committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our work and staff. We strongly encourage candidates of all identities, experiences, and communities to apply. The Legal Aid Justice Center is committed to strengthening the voices of our low-income clients, working in collaboration with community partners, and rooting out the inequities that keep people in poverty. We strive to take on the issues that have broad impact on our client communities and to be responsive to client input. Recognizing the particular impact of racism on our clients and staff, we devote special attention to dismantling racial injustice. All applicants must be dedicated to working in and sustaining an environment that enables staff and clients to feel empowered, valued, respected, and safe. In reviewing applications, we look for evidence that applicants have experience and/or thoughtfulness in working with traditionally marginalized populations. Employment Type: Full Time Years Experience: 1 - 3 years Salary: $69,565 - $93,148 Annual Bonus/Commission: No