IDRA Staff Attorney

IDRA 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 staff attorney 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 assessing 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 coordinating referrals involving education-related civil rights issues and identifying 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

• Providing legal counsel to IDRA’s policy and advocacy teams, including analyses of legislation, regulations, agency actions and emerging legal issues

• Supporting 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

• Representing 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.