Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program Attorney II - 529611

The University of Alabama • Tuscaloosa, AL

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program (ADAP) Attorney II provides legal representation to clients and conducts all phases of legal proceedings. ADAP is the statewide protection and advocacy system for the state of Alabama that works to achieve fairness and justice for Alabamians with disabilities. This role involves providing legally-based advocacy services, investigating allegations of abuse and neglect against persons with disabilities, participating in legislative and regulatory advocacy work, and conducting education and outreach about disability rights. The Attorney II represents clients with disabilities in legal proceedings that are more complex than those handled by Staff Attorneys, with an emphasis on systemic litigation in both state and federal court. This position also involves collaborating with ADAP's staff, mentoring Staff Attorneys, providing training to law clerks, and performing public education duties related to state policymakers and statewide organizations serving persons with disabilities. With the approval of the Executive Director, the ADAP Attorney II may be eligible for remote or hybrid work. Extensive in-state travel is required, including overnight. Use of personal car for business travel may be necessary at times.

Requirements

• Juris doctorate and four (4) years of legal experience.
• Must be licensed to practice law in Alabama OR must become a member of the Alabama Bar within one (1) year of the date of hire.
• Must have valid U.S. driver's license.
• Must be at least 19 years of age at time of hire and have an acceptable Motor Vehicle Report that is in compliance with University policies.
• Applicants under the age of 21 will have some driving restrictions.
• Must be admitted or eligible for admission to practice before all federal courts whose jurisdictions encompass Alabama within one (1) year.
• Strong commitment to ADAP's vision of a society where persons with disabilities are valued, exercise self-determination through meaningful choices and have the equality of opportunity.
• Ability to manage a caseload, including leading litigation at all levels of state and federal courts.
• Effective communication skills to represent clients in legal hearings, meetings, negotiations or administrative proceedings, to actively promote legal, policy and legislative developments at state and local government levels, and to develop and conduct trainings.
• Exceptional research, writing, and editing skills (for a variety of audiences, including legal legislative, journalistic and public) and comfort with being edited by others.
• Ability to work with community groups (may include assisting groups with advocacy, providing technical assistance or organizing groups).
• Knowledge of standard software applications.
• Ability to work independently with appropriate supervision.
• Strong strategic skills.
• Ability to execute and achieve the intended goals.
• Submit a sample of legal writing (10 pages max).

Nice To Haves

• Juris Doctorate with five (5) years of experience in an area relevant to ADAP's work such as disability law or civil rights protection.
• Extensive federal and state litigation experience, including systemic litigation.
• Knowledge of laws, rights, and services as they pertain to people with disabilities, and/or direct representation of people with disabilities.
• Experience with or functional knowledge of laws, regulations, and programs affecting people with disabilities.
• Knowledge of the disability rights movement, the disability community, or other vulnerable people or communities.
• Knowledge of state systems serving persons with disabilities including the Alabama Dept. of Mental Health, Alabama Dept. of Human Resources, Alabama Dept. of Corrections, Alabama Dept. of Youth Services, Alabama State Dept. of Education.
• Advocacy experience in either law, social or human services, government, public interest, or health care environments.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal representation to clients.
• Conduct all phases of legal proceedings.
• Provide legally-based advocacy services.
• Investigate allegations of abuse and neglect against persons with disabilities.
• Participate in legislative and regulatory advocacy work.
• Conduct education and outreach about disability rights.
• Represent clients with disabilities in legal proceedings, with an emphasis on systemic litigation in both state and federal court.
• Collaborate with ADAP's staff in the provision of advocacy services for ADAP clients.
• Mentor Staff Attorneys.
• Provide training to law clerks.
• Perform public education duties related to state policymakers and statewide organizations serving persons with disabilities.

Benefits

• Eligible for hybrid work subject to University policy
• Prior conviction does not automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position; an individualized review will be conducted.
• Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree