Staff Attorney

VIrginia Ed Assoc Inc•Richmond, VA

10d•$115,000 - $120,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Virginia Education Association (VEA) is seeking a Staff Attorney for its Office of Legal Services. VEA is the Commonwealth’s largest union of teachers and school support professionals, a state affiliate of the National Education Association, and works to advance public education and empower educators. VEA is committed to racial, social, and economic justice in education. The Staff Attorney provides legal advice and representation to VEA, its officers, governance bodies, and staff, as well as local affiliate associations and individual members, on labor, employment-related, and education law matters. The role supports VEA’s mission by protecting educators’ legal rights, promoting equitable workplace treatment, and contributing to collective action and advocacy strategies for public education employees across Virginia. The position primarily supports VEA’s labor law practice, including legislative initiatives and counseling local affiliates on collective action and bargaining initiatives. The attorney also represents members in employment-related litigation. This is a hybrid position based in Richmond, Virginia, with up to 50% travel throughout Virginia.

Requirements

Graduation from an American Bar Association-accredited law school.
Current admission to the Virginia State Bar.
Skills and experience analyzing, interpreting, and explaining laws, regulations, policies, and court and administrative rulings to varied audiences.
Skills and experience counseling, advising, persuading, and building trust with people from diverse racial, cultural, socioeconomic, and linguistic backgrounds.
Demonstrated commitment to racial and social justice, equity, and inclusion in legal advocacy, public education, or labor relations.
Skills and experience writing clearly and concisely for varied audiences, including legal pleadings and briefs, assessments and opinions, letters and messages, policy, legislative and contract provisions, and articles or stories.
Skills and experience in oral communication for varied audiences, including legal arguments, advocacy and representation, training or explaining, and lobbying.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with and interest in public education, collective bargaining, labor matters, employment, benefits and retirement, organizing and politics, and general legal matters affecting VEA members, leaders, affiliates, or other labor organizations; preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Represent and advise VEA, staff, and local associations in seeking school board resolutions permitting collective bargaining, seeking recognition, and bargaining as the exclusive representative for bargaining units.
Represent, advise, and counsel VEA members on school employment, student interactions, teaching licenses, retirement, and related matters before school boards and administrators, social service departments, state agencies, equal employment agencies, and Virginia courts.
Advise, counsel, inform, and assist VEA officers and staff, including on equity, civil rights, and inclusive practices.
Collaborate with the Office of Government Relations & Research and Legislative Committee to analyze policy questions, review and comment on proposals and bills, draft language, and support lobbying and legislative activities.
Work with the Office of Communications & Public Affairs on public education and member-rights issues, respond to web questions, prepare digital materials, and provide information to members and the public.
Assist local associations and affiliates with incorporation or maintaining corporate status.
Represent members in employment-related litigation.