Education Rights Project Attorney

Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County • Nashville, TN

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Metropolitan Public Defenders Office represents adults accused of crimes in Davidson County who cannot afford to hire a lawyer, and children in Davidson County charged with delinquency offenses who cannot afford a lawyer. Our mission is to defend the liberty, honor, and constitutional rights of individuals, of all ages, whose cases have been entrusted to us. Through zealous advocacy, we strive not only to deliver excellence in our representation of each client but also to stand with our clients and the community in working to create a more just, fair and compassionate legal system. The guiding principle of the Office is that each client is entitled to quality representation that recognizes the client's dignity and achieves the best possible outcome for the case. Our attorneys, investigators, social workers, and support staff take great pride in providing a high level of service. The Education Rights Project is a delinquency prevention and reduction initiative of the Nashville Defenders Office consisting of a small, collaborative team of attorneys and advocates. The Education Rights Project advocates ensuring that Nashville’s children with disabilities get a quality education, graduate from high school, and avoid contact with the juvenile court system. The Education Rights Project’s core values are excellence, equity, connection, holistic, creative, and zealous advocacy, and legal representation. The Education Rights attorney provides legal counsel and representation for students with disabilities with behavioral challenges that may lead to juvenile court involvement in Davidson County. Performs related duties as required.

Requirements

• Licensed to practice Law in the State of Tennessee, or application to practice law in the State of Tennessee pending.
• Valid driver's license with access to reliable transportation, current vehicle insurance and willingness to travel as needed.
• Must submit Resume, Cover Letter, & Writing Sample
• Per Metro Ordinance No. SO94-1078. All employees of the Metropolitan Government shall be residents of the State of Tennessee or become residents of the state within six (6) months of employment as a prerequisite to employment with the Metropolitan Government.

Nice To Haves

• Doctor of Jurisprudence and 2 or more years of professional legal experience preferred.
• Experience in special education law strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of the principles of special education law, school discipline law, juvenile delinquency, and neglect/dependency law
• Knowledge of the functioning of the public school system, the child welfare system, and the juvenile court system
• Knowledge of legal principles, including civil, constitutional, and administrative law
• Skill in courtroom practice
• Skill in negotiation
• Ability to analyze and apply legal principles and precedents to specific problems
• Ability to present statements of fact, law, and argument clearly and logically
• Ability to analyze cases and make tactical decisions
• Ability to prepare briefs and complaints
• Ability to negotiate effectively
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Ability to deal courteously with the public
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Ability to develop and maintain compassionate, client-centered relationships
• Commitment to core team value of equity and contributes to an inclusive team environment

Responsibilities

• Represents, as counsel, the parents of students with disabilities in Individualized Education Program and Section 504 school meetings, negotiations with the school district, discipline appeals, and due process hearings
• Represents children with complex special education needs, provided with training and support, as Guardian ad Litem in neglect/dependency proceedings and educational matters
• May serve as court-appointed educational surrogate for foster youth
• Consults with legal counsel for Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools, charter schools, and Tennessee Public Charter School Commission
• Analyzes legal and/or factual aspects of clients' cases
• Works collaboratively on cases and policy advocacy with team members (attorneys, advocates, and social workers)
• Refers clients for appropriate medical, mental health, and social services
• Performs necessary investigations, including interviewing clients, gathering evidence, legal research, and obtaining social, medical, delinquency, psychiatric, educational records, and histories of clients
• Consults with medical, mental health and education experts
• Participates in system-wide policy advocacy to improve outcomes for students with disabilities at risk of juvenile court involvement in Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County
• Prepares and conducts education law training for system stakeholders.

Benefits

• We are an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at all levels.
• All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.
• Metro Nashville Government respects the religious beliefs and practices of all employees and will make, on request, an accommodation for such observances when a reasonable accommodation is available that does not create an undue hardship on business operations.
• Requests for ADA accommodation for the recruitment process should be directed to Human Resources at 615-862-6640.

What This Job Offers

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