Education Rights Staff Attorney, Children & Youth

Law Foundation of Silicon Valley•San Jose, CA

6d•$82,000 - $110,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Law Foundation of Silicon Valley is seeking an Education Rights Staff Attorney to join their Children & Youth program. This program provides legal assistance to children and youth in various areas including juvenile dependency, family law, probate guardianship, immigration, and education matters. They also engage in advocacy to improve child welfare systems and conduct workshops on legal rights. The Staff Attorney will focus on providing legal counsel to parents and caregivers regarding their children's special education rights and representing students in school discipline defense cases, such as suspensions and expulsions.

Requirements

Current member in good standing with the California State Bar.
Experience in school-based advocacy, including expulsion hearings and due process mediations and hearings.
A demonstrated commitment to racial equity, inclusion, and belonging, and an understanding of how race and other intersecting identities shape our work and the systems impacting our clients.
Alignment with the mission and values of the Law Foundation.
Proficiency with Microsoft 365 or similar, with openness to learning new tools.
Valid Driver’s License or other transportation to attend meetings, hearings, home visits, and outreach presentations.
Ability to perform the essential functions of the position, including use of standard office equipment, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

Experience in working with diverse populations, including communities of color and people living with disabilities.
Experience working with court-involved youth.
Experience working with individuals from multiethnic communities and/or underserved communities.
Demonstrated commitment to the rights of children and youth.
Connections to and experience working with diverse populations, including communities of color and people living with disabilities.
Spanish proficiency.

Responsibilities

Provide direct representation to clients in special education cases, including filing for Due Process against school districts.
Represent clients in school-related meetings, including IEPs and Section 504 meetings.
Provide representation to students in discipline defense matters before administrative panels and governing boards.
Participate in collaboration between local child welfare agency, juvenile probation department and other community-based organization to conduct case consultations and tailor appropriate advocacy.
Represent clients in various legal matters originating from organization’s Medical-Legal Partnership clinic with Valley Medical Center, and staff our weekly legal clinic at VMC.
Respond to referrals from service providers and partner agencies.
Assist with the development and presentation of trainings on laws related to educational rights.
Provide technical assistance to attorneys and service providers.
Participate in regular meetings with LACY and other Law Foundation staff.
Participate in general office upkeep duties, including computer data entry of case information; maintenance of billing records, filing, copying, drafting and filing court documents, and serving notice.
Collaborate with internal teams to ensure a seamless and people-centered approach to service delivery.

Benefits

19 paid holidays per year
3-5 weeks of vacation per year
12 days of sick leave per year
Up to 6 months of parental leave
Fully paid medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums
Free/discounted mental health therapy and wellness services for employees and their dependents through our Employee Assistance Program
A 401(k)-retirement plan with employer contributions
A sabbatical after 5 years of employment
An additional monthly stipend for those who are bilingual and utilize their language abilities in the course of their job
An annual budget for professional development
Employer paid CA Bar license and/or social work license fees
The flexibility to work a hybrid schedule