Advocates for Children of New York, Inc. (AFC) seeks an energetic attorney determined to make a difference for NYC families struggling to gain appropriate educational services for their children in the country’s largest school district during an unparalleled time of difficulty for low-income families of children with disabilities.

The focus of this Staff Attorney position will be representing families with children with disabilities in the NYC administrative proceedings that are often the difference maker in a child’s future. The day-to-day responsibilities of this position include conducting intake, reviewing school records and psychological evaluations, attending school meetings and speaking to relevant parties in the student’s life, and researching and visiting schools and services that may serve as potential remedies. After a request for a hearing is drafted and filed, the special education case of each student culminates in litigation at a hearing, where the attorney will execute the opening statement, witness testimony, closing argument, and legal briefing required to prevail.

AFC is a social justice organization that strives to ensure a high-quality education for New York students who face barriers to academic success, focusing on students from low-income backgrounds. AFC works on behalf of children and youth who are at greatest risk of academic failure due to poverty, race, ethnicity, disability, homelessness, immigration status/limited English proficiency, or involvement in the child welfare or juvenile justice systems.

We use uniquely integrated strategies to advance systemic reform, empower families and communities, and advocate for the educational rights of individual students. This position will take the most urgent cases from AFC’s Helpline, which serves close to 4,000 families each year.

Qualifications:

• Law degree required and admission to the NYS bar preferred;
• Demonstrated commitment to serving the public interest;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Experience working with low-income and special needs communities;
• Interest in educational issues and issues affecting children with disabilities and low-income families;
• Experience working with children or families;
• Litigation skills and experience;
• Organizational skills, flexibility, initiative, maturity, and cooperative attitude;
• Spanish fluency preferred.

Send an email with “Staff Attorney” in the subject line with a cover letter, resume and writing sample to staffattorney@afcnyc.org. Cover letter should describe candidate’s interest in and connection to this work. Candidates should highlight any personal or professional experience that demonstrates their connection to the populations that AFC serves. Candidates selected for interviews must provide contact information for three references. Only candidates being scheduled for interviews will be contacted. No phone calls or messages, please.