IDRA Staff Attorney

I DRA 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  s taff  a ttorney 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 assess ing  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 coordinat ing  referrals involving education-related civil rights issues and  identify ing  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

• Provid ing  legal  counsel  to IDRA’s policy and advocacy teams, including analys e s of legislation, regulations, agency  actions  and emerging legal issues

• Support ing  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

• Represent ing  IDRA in state,  regional  and national coalitions dedicated to civil rights, education  justice  and strong public schools

Read more here

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.