Legal Aid Justice Center · 1 day ago
Youth Advocacy Attorney
Norfolk, VA
Full-time
Hybrid
Entry, Mid Level
$70K/yr - $93K/yr
1+ years expThe Legal Aid Justice Center is a nationally recognized, non-profit organization that partners with low-income clients and communities of color in Virginia to fight for racial, social, and economic justice. They are seeking a Youth Advocacy Attorney to work closely with families and community members to address systemic problems affecting youth through individual representation and impact litigation in education and juvenile court matters.
LegalPublic Safety
Responsibilities
Provide advice and counsel to system-involved youth and their families and/or to individuals and community groups on education issues (including special education, school discipline, enrollment, and school-based discrimination)
Represent youth in individual cases in administrative proceedings, school discipline hearings, and before state and federal courts
Work alongside organizers and community members to build and implement impact advocacy campaigns in alignment with the Youth Justice Program's core priorities
Advocate for legislation, regulations, and policies that support young people, especially youth of color, those from under-resourced communities, and students with disabilities
Participate in various work groups, coalitions, etc., and attend community events
As needed, produce publications including fact sheets, issue briefs, reports, and op-eds
Assist with advocacy communications efforts, e.g., drafting press releases, responding to media inquiries, and drafting content for social media
When appropriate, support and/or lead impact litigation in state and federal court
Provide subject matter expertise and technical assistance as needed to internal policy advocates and organizers, and community partners
Assist with the coordination of cases for pro-bono partners
Racial Equity: Promote racial equity across all dimensions, including withing LAJC, by doing the following: Helping to recruit, retain, and support both staff and leadership that reflect the racial composition of our community; Cultivating respect for the work of and expanding resources for non-attorney staff that are disproportionately people of color; Creating spaces for staff to discuss issues of racial, gender, and all other issues of marginalization; and Pushing for institutional and cultural changes by management, the board, and staff to further promote racial equity
Qualification
Required
Strong commitment to social, economic, and racial justice
Relevant experience working in education, juvenile court, or other child-serving areas of law
Professional or lived experience advocating in under-resourced communities
Outstanding oral advocacy, research, writing, and leadership skills
Ability to work effectively across multiple teams
Ability to communicate effectively across multiple teams
Willingness to travel statewide occasionally
Preferred
Membership in the Virginia State Bar, or eligibility and willingness to become a member of the VSB promptly – either by passing the bar exam, or meeting requirements to “waive” into bar membership without taking the bar exam
At least two (2) years of relevant experience working in education, juvenile court, or other child-serving areas of law
Expertise in one or more of the Youth Justice Program's core issue areas, including education access or youth decriminalization
Familiarity with community lawyering approaches and/or youth organizing
Experience with impact advocacy, particularly discrimination claims
Experience with special education advocacy and/or school discipline hearings
Benefits
Generous paid time off every year, including 3 to 6 weeks of vacation, 12 days of health leave, 16 weeks parental leave, and 14 holidays (not including bonus holidays/rest days allocated as needed)
100% employer paid health, dental, and vision insurance, plus excellent family insurance with annual max of $2,400 premium contribution to LAJC-sponsored health plan
403(b) retirement plan with 4% employer contribution (no required match)
Strong commitment to professional development
Student loan repayment assistance program
Relocation package
Company
Legal Aid Justice Center
The Legal Aid Justice Center partners with clients to achieve justice by dismantling systems that create and perpetuate poverty.
51-200 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageLeadership Team
Contessa Riggs
Chief Development Officer
Recent News
Maryland Daily Record
2025-02-26
2025-02-26
2024-11-20
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